ABOUT WOMEN
Best not to feminize men, but a little moisturizing can't hurt

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Staff Writer

He's always looked much younger than his age, but years of wind and sun exposure on the golf course are catching up with him. I've been advising him about using a little of my pricey SPF15 facial moisturizing cream around the eyes and mouth to quell those tiny creases.

I've had to instruct him on how to apply the precious cream in tiny amounts by dabbing it on gently with his fingertips. Otherwise he'd squeeze a dollop onto his hands, rub his palms together and vigorously schmoosh it around on his face.

He likes looking nice and is meticulous about keeping his hair and beard neatly trimmed, and when he's dressing for a golf date with his buddies, you'd think he was headed for the red carpet.

But otherwise he doesn't have a clue.

These baby steps with a facial moisturizer are encouraging, but I don't think we'll see him carrying a man purse any time soon or stripping to his skivvies to get a spray tan, and that's OK by me.

While it's generally accepted that women are allowed to spend a good deal of time primping over our hair, nails and lipstick, a man who fusses over his appearance is a turn-off. There's a fine line between good grooming and narcissism.

I've always thought that neat-and-clean is pretty sexy. Maybe I'm old school, but a slight air of Irish Spring and classic Right Guard is the only enhancement any man needs in my book.

Generally speaking, women like a guy with a few rough, endearing edges. We'll worry about whether his clothes match.

Besides, there isn't enough room on the bathroom counter for his "products" and mine, and when we go out for a night on the town, we can't both be worrying about our hair. He needs to be paying attention to how I look.

Alas, the consumer-industrial complex is working against me. There's word of a new personal grooming line developed exclusively for boys aged 9 to 16. The products, with sporty names like Body Slam, include shampoo, body wash, hair gel, deodorant and fragrances.

As the mother of a 10-year-old boy who gels and likes to sneak a spritz of his daddy's cologne when no one's looking, I'm ambivalent.

The not-so-nice side of my nature says that it's about time that average Joes everywhere submit to the pressures of maintaining a glossy appearance in public. It's only fair, since women have been doing it for centuries.

But my better side argues that we should stop trying to feminize the male species and give 'em a break by not holding them to spa-treatment standards.

Except for waxing away unibrows. That's a good thing.

Reach Christie Wilson at (808) 244-4880 or cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.