#Men Grooming Products Market

[chasejlondon]

#UNBOXING @bartsbalm AFTERSHAVE BALM GIFT SET

Elevate your grooming routine with our Aftershave Balm Gift Set featuring 7 fabulous scents! From the refreshing BEN CRUACHAN Lime to the soothing BEN MACDUI Rosemary and Sandalwood, there's a scent for every preference.

Say hello to smooth, irritation-free skin!

https://youtu.be/RcD0eQc5UR4?si=Sl3kxgoWAOEZQcXp

#bartsbalm #aftershave #giftset #signaturescent #groomingessentials #shaving #shave #Fragrance #mensgrooming #grooming

[patrolgrooming1]

Bump Patrol Essential Shave Kit

Say goodbye to razor bumps and hello to smooth skin with the Bump Patrol Essential Shave Kit! 🚀✨ Our curated kit tackles ingrown hairs and irritation, ensuring a flawless shave experience. 💆‍♂️💙 Unleash the power of: 🔹 Pre-Shave Oil for a seamless glide 🔹 Cool Shave Gel for a refreshing sensation 🔹 Aftershave Treatment for that post-shave TLC

Revitalize your grooming routine with Bump Patrol – your skin deserves it! 🌿🌟

[techdriveplay]

How Many Men Follow Fashion Bloggers?

In recent years, the influence of fashion bloggers has grown exponentially, impacting not only women’s fashion but also men’s style choices. This raises the question: how many men follow fashion bloggers, and what drives their engagement with these style influencers? Statistics: 45% of men aged 18-34 follow at least one fashion blogger on social media. 30% of men aged 35-49 are subscribed to…

[metropolitant]

Redefining Masculinity: The New Era of Male Grooming with Eyelash Extensions and Eyebrow Embroidery

As the world of male grooming undergoes a dynamic shift, the notion of masculinity embraces greater inclusivity and diversity. No longer confined to a basic haircut and shave, men’s grooming is all-encompassing, involving a multitude of beauty treatments traditionally associated with femininity. The rise in men’s interest in eyelash extensions and eyebrow embroidery signifies a transformative…

[piratecaptainscaptainpirates]

I think it's super important to call out racist tropes in fanon, but I also think it's important to help provide a bit of education so other creators know how to avoid these tropes and what to do instead.

With that in mind, one of the most common things that us fans of color have been pointing out in the OFMD fandom is racist depiction of Ed's hair, so here's an intro to avoiding some of these harmful tropes and what you can do instead.

Why does Ed's hair matter so much?

For people of color like Ed, our hair isn't just hair. Our hair is also about our culture and self-expression, and taking care of our hair is a skill distinct from caring for White hair. Our hair is an expression of personal and communal identity.

Controlling and stigmatizing hairstyles is an important way that people of color have been and continue to be oppressed. Across the history of European colonization, you'll find countless stories of cruelties such as forced haircuts, and this legacy lives on today when kids of color are told they have to change their natural and cultural hairstyles to meet school dress codes. Depiction of hair matters so much because of this history.

What are some things to avoid?

Common racist depictions of Ed's hair that you will want to avoid include:

Depicting Ed's hair as dirty and unclean when he's always shown to have very neat, well-taken-care-of hair in the show

Implying that he does not know how to care for his hair

Implying that he needs a White man to help him take care of his hair (White guys are not going to know how to care for Ed's hair texture!)

Depicting him using items that aren't meant for haircare on his hair (like forks, broken tools, etc.). Ed surely knows what a hairbrush is and how to use one.

Implying that Ed does not have a hair care routine or care much about his personal hygeine. You do not get to have that much beautiful, well-groomed hair without caring about maintaining it.

Implications that Ed is unusually rough/thoughtless about his hair, such as cutting off tangled sections or leaving knots to get worse

Avoid language that implies Ed's hair is unusually unruly and unkempt, such as describing it as "matted." Personally, I even bristle hearing it described as a "mane" or "wild" because it's always very neatly-groomed.

What are some ways to talk about Ed's hair that are okay?

I recommend writers and artists considering a project involving Ed's hair do some research on their own - browsing natural hair care subreddits is a pretty easy way to learn quickly what goes into caring for our hair and some of the common everyday struggles we might have.

You don't need to depict Ed's hair as perfect all the time! On lazy days where he doesn't style his hair, he might have frizz going on, and he might be frustrated by the effort and time it takes to maintain his hair while they're on the ocean and the salt air is constantly wreaking havoc.

It's also okay to write about Stede helping Ed with his hair. Stede will need to learn how to work with Ed's hair, but there's nothing wrong with scenes where Stede helps Ed with putting his hair up into a fancy style or washes it for him just because they both want to spend time together. The issue arises when you have implications that Ed needs that help and isn't capable of caring for his hair on his own.

What are some ideas for scenes involving Ed's hair care and routines?

There are so many wonderful scenes you can write about Ed's hair care routines! They can add dimension to domestic moments and make Ed's life feel more real. Here are some ideas I love.

Stede being excited to find new hair products at the market he knows Ed will love

The men of color on the Revenge having self-care nights to help each other care for their hair and skin

Ed patiently teaching Stede about how to care for his hair and trusting him to help him wash it

Ed having fun after settling down at their inn with experimenting with fun floral scents in his hair products

Ed teaching Stede how to put his hair in an elaborate, fancy style passed down from his mother

Stede carefully writing down Ed's hair care routine, from how he likes to rinse his hair with cool freshwater after a swim in the ocean to how he uses coconut oil to minimize frizz, and Ed being touched by his obvious care

In the show, Ed's hair looks amazing even at his lowest moments, so you could make art of him finding comfort in his hair even in the darkest times

There's so much you can do! I'd love seeing the balance of fics about Ed's hair shift towards mostly loving, thoughtful, non-racist depictions, so let's make that happen!

[yuri-for-businesswomen]

i cant get over it. why dont impoverished men choose to enter prostitution en masse?

a) „there are not enough women who want to buy sex so there is no market“

so you agree that prostitution is a system that mostly benefits men, as sex buyers? incheresting

b) „there are not enough women and they are not gay or bisexual“

so you agree that sex is not a service? the sexed body is the product? incheresting

c) „they have an easier time getting a job on the regular job market“

so you agree that prostitution profits from and reinforces misogyny? its not just a neutral job choice? incheresting

d) „they are often single mothers who need flexible work hours and get discriminated against on the job market“

oh so you again agree that prostitution profits from and reinforces misogyny? that single fathers are more rare and have better job opportunities? which pushes women into sexual exploitation? incheresting

e) „women dont have any other options“

so you agree that women are systematically groomed into prostitution, kept from exiting and kept from entering other fields where impoverished men find jobs? incheresting

f) „women choose prostitution over other options“

so you again agree that women are systematically groomed into prostitution, kept from exiting and kept from entering other fields where impoverished men find jobs? because why arent men choosing it if it offers such great benefits? incheresting

i just dont buy the „no alternatives“ argument. there are alternatives but impoverished women are systematically pushed into prostitution by their families and partners, by social workers and feminists telling them its a choice without questioning why men dont choose it, by employers who know this is a last resort for women and choose to employ men instead, and there is no pushback because the men as a class also profit from prostitution, as sex buyers and competitors on the regular job market.

and then we are being pitched that these women actually have no options? be for real

of course women will say its their choice if they are being told from all sides and are systematically kept from pursuing other options.

[mikasasrippedtoenail]

The average woman spends -

• $28 on makeup

• $34 on haircuts

• $15 on hair products

• $11 on hair removal

• $23 on moisturizing skincare

•$17 on anti-aging products

• $ 5 on eyebrow threading

• $85 on teeth whitening

■The cost of common cosmetic surgeries:

• Breast augmentation: $6,450

• Liposuction: $6,000

• Nose reshaping: $5,046

• Eyelid surgery: $4,525

• Tummy tuck: $5,798

● The yearly cost of getting a botox : $1200 ● The yearly cost of getting lip fillers : $800

□Yearly cost without Botox/fillers/surgery: $2616

□ Yearly cost with Botox/fillers/surgery $4891

In a study by Advanced Dermatology, it was revealed that the average woman spends $285 more than men on grooming services. While men spend more on gym membership, supplements and haircuts, women spend on skincare, hair products and colour.

If you compound the aboves costs, women spend - $156,960 and $450,420 respectively on unnecessary beauty procedures in their lifetime. Some women might even spend millions of dollars in their lifetime on their appearance. This extra expenditure feeds pockets of (male) CEOs of beauty companies who thrive off of women's insecurities. The more women fall into these traps, the more unrealistic the beauty standards will become.

● Meadian House cost - $227,000

● Average car cost - $48,000

● Average Overseas Vacation cost - $3250

● Cost of a nice hobby in a lifetime - $72,000

●Cost of a book collection(150 books) - $1800

Making women waste money on useless items allows men to hoard capital. Moreover, there is a huge gender gap in trading. Men are much more likely to invest extra income into the stock market than women, however, when women do invest they tend to perform much better when it comes to trading owing to their diligence and loss assessment.Female ownership of monetary property and real estate is paramount to their liberation. Society has created an ecosystem that dissuades women from possessing capital. What's worse is that when crisis hits, it's women that have to give up their savings for their need of money is disregarded as they rely on their husbands for financial support. Women amassing wealth and knowledge is the key for their freedom.

[eludin]

THE CROWN'S WHORE | CHAPTER TWO

WARNING: sexual content, addictions, incest (we're talking about Targaryens here) grooming, manipulations, dark themes, and possibly more

She trembled at the foot of the bed, and clearly had already been passed between several of her older friends. At least, he prayed that it was her friends who touched her in such a way. They would not be cruel and savage with her. He hoped they wouldn't.

Her hair was messed, no longer the smooth cascade of silvery strands, and some bite marks ran up along the length of her neck.

Ariston painfully swallowed the pit of anxiety. "Are you well, Vyera?"

She shrugged and rubbed her arms.

He closed the distance between them. Her eyes still bore into the creaky floorboards. He rested his hands on her shoulders, inciting a sharp jolt from Vyera. "We do not have "

"Aye, we do." She sniffled and rubbed at her eyes. "My worth will be determined by how much I break-in, through all means. Especially with my... capabilities."

Ariston sighed. He did not comprehend much of the workings within the brothel, yet what she said made sense. Within the markets, if a product does not produce much, it will likely be dropped and abandoned to be replaced by a higher sale. As much as it pained him to make such a comparison, Vyera became a product for many cruel individuals to enjoy themselves.

If all of her friends could afford it, they could keep such individuals away from her. Yet... Something whispered doubts in his ear.

Commoners rarely made enough money to afford who sex workers, especially those who work within the Crimson Whores brothel. A vast majority of her companions were commoners. Those who were of a higher class could only spend so many coins on her. They all had duties regrettably to tend to, so they may bear enough coin to shower on her.

"Very well," he said. His heart banged against his stomach like a raging beast. "We can start "

"Now."

This time Ariston flinched.

Vyera grabbed his wrists and dragged him to the bed. He fell onto the bed and let her lead. Ariston was not aware of how the other boys did it, but he let her have control of this at the very least. She smiled at him.

She looked down at his clothes, a silent command. As he began to undress, she slid her dress off to pool at her feet.

Her hands wandered up his arms, along the width of his shoulders, and down his chest, inciting chills and warmth toiled in his stomach. Vyera crawled up the bed to straddle him. She loomed over him and pressed her lips against his.

Disgust looped around his throat like a noose. He could not be actually enjoying this.

Her lips molded around his, her tongue slithered in between and rubbed along his own. Ariston moaned.

Fuck. He was enjoying this.

He was a fucking... He did not even have the words to describe what he was. He was doing the exact thing he feared grown men would enjoy doing with her.

She was a kid, and he was enjoying feeling her hands explore his body the same way an artist would explore their canvas, her tongue massaging his mouth, and her smell... her taste.. her touch... the sounds she made...

Fuck.

Ariston lay dazed beneath her, his mind a fuddled mess.

Vyera nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, curling into herself. He reacted the same way all the other boys did: Half wanting, half repulsed with themselves. They pushed and pulled at her, some bit at her flesh before jerking back in shock with themselves.

She almost pitied them.

They were all young. Some were only thirteen while others were a few years older than that. They certainly had their fun with whores older than themselves, but never have they ever experienced the conflicting emotions warring within them in such intensity. In this, they were fumbling like virgins as she fiddled with them the same way she'd fiddle with a spare pawn in her hand while she played chess with one of her father's coworkers.

He had been... thirty if her memory still served well. She'd been seventeen when they'd met.

He was everything she found attractive in men that she couldn't find in the boys of her old world: Smart, handsome, and strong. He was skilled in his work and smart enough to humor her with their games. Of course, over time their games became less innocent. Her cunt clenched and tingled in recall of their time together.

Sure, he wasn't the only one. She never could settle for one. But regardless of that, he sent a thrill through her bones few could accomplish.

Vyera sighed and held Ariston closer. "Are you alright, Riz?"

"Huh?"

He blinked awake and focused on her. There it was again. The conflict in his eyes.

"You seem..." she hesitated, abusing her lip. His gaze flickered to them and he sharply inhaled. "Off. Did I do something wrong?"

"No! Certainly not, you were incredible Wait, no, I mean " Ariston tripped and stumbled over his words for a quick minute. A devilish grin wished to curl on Vyera's lip but she quickly suppressed it in favor of a more concerned expression. She worked on her reputation for nine years. She wasn't about to let one slip up to ruin everything. She laid back down and hid her face into his neck. They had a few more minutes before he had to leave.

He sighed, patting her head stiffly. "Tis' nothing."

Vyera nearly scoffed at that. As if she was going to believe that. However, she didn't wish to scare off one of her many useful associates. If her plans with her father fall through, she'll need more than one lord to arrange for her escape from the squander of this forsaken brothel. King's Landing smelled as bad as it was written, and her nose likely died in order to tolerate the odor.

If the world thought she was going to remain, they were sorely mistaken.

"Are you sure?"

"Aye," Ariston murmured. "Simply running through my thoughts."

More like running from them.

WANT TO BE TAGGED? COMMENT DOWN BELOW "AYE"

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[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Several Uvalde families are suing Daniel Defense, the gun company whose AR-15 style rifle an 18-year-old gunman used to kill 19 children and two teachers and injure several others at Robb Elementary two years ago, lawyers said.

The family members of victims Friday also filed a separate lawsuit against California-based companies Meta — the parent company of Instagram and Facebook — and Activision, whose best-selling video game Call of Duty features Daniel Defense guns.

The lawsuits together will argue that the three companies marketed semi-automatic weapons to the Uvalde gunman before he was 18, accusing them of negligence and wrongful death. The shooter purchased firearms shortly after he turned 18 years old and then used one of those guns to carry out the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.

In Texas, 18-year-olds can legally purchase long guns such as rifles.

Josh Koskoff, an attorney representing the Uvalde families, says there was a direct line between the companies' conduct and the Uvalde shooting.

“Just 23 minutes after midnight on his 18th birthday, the Uvalde shooter bought an AR-15 made by a company with a market share of less than one percent,” Koskoff said in a statement. “Why? Because, well before he was old enough to purchase it, he was targeted and cultivated online by Instagram, Activision and Daniel Defense. This three-headed monster knowingly exposed him to the weapon, conditioned him to see it as a tool to solve his problems and trained him to use it.”

The lawsuits come on the two-year anniversary of the shooting.

Attorneys argue that Daniel Defense intentionally markets its weapons to adolescents and uses platforms including Instagram and first-person shooter games like Call of Duty to promote criminal use of their weapons.

They add that Instagram provides an unsupervised channel to speak directly to adolescent boys because of what attorneys say are flimsy and easily circumvented rules meant to prohibit firearm advertising to children.

The lawsuit against Daniel Defense is expected to be filed in Texas’ 38th District Court in Uvalde County on behalf of 31 family members of the victims. It accuses Daniel Defense of courting the shooter with marketing that lures adolescents into forming an attachment with its brand of AR-15s, particularly its flagship DDM4v7.

The lawsuit against Activision and Meta was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of approximately 45 family members of the deceased and injured victims. It accuses the gaming company of desensitizing young men to acts of mass violence and grooming them to seek out weapons like those featured in Call of Duty. An Activision spokesperson did not respond to questions about the allegations in the lawsuit but issued a statement expressing their condolences to the victims’ families.

“The Uvalde shooting was horrendous and heartbreaking in every way, and we express our deepest sympathies to the families and communities who remain impacted by this senseless act of violence,” the spokesperson said. “Millions of people around the world enjoy video games without turning to horrific acts.”

However, the Entertainment Software Association, which represents top publishers in the gaming industry, denounced efforts to blame video games for real-life acts of violence.

“We are saddened and outraged by senseless acts of violence,” said an association spokesperson. “At the same time, we discourage baseless accusations linking these tragedies to video gameplay, which detract from efforts to focus on the root issues in question and safeguard against future tragedies. Many other countries have similar rates of video gameplay to the United States, yet do not see similar rates of gun violence.”

Representatives for Daniel Defense and Meta did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

While Instagram prohibits the marketing of firearms on its platform, the lawsuit claims Instagram fails to enforce firearm guidelines while rigorously enforcing other types of content guidelines.

The Uvalde families’ legal action appears to follow a similar playbook that Koskoff, a Connecticut attorney, successfully employed in his home state, where he helped victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting win a $73 million settlement in a lawsuit against the maker of the AR-15 style rifle used in that school shooting.

That settlement was widely considered a setback for the firearms industry, which has broad legal immunity from civil complaints. A 2005 law enacted by Congress shields gun companies from liability for crimes committed using their weapons. Koskoff’s team worked around that by successfully arguing that the gun company could be sued under a consumer protection state law, through an exception to the federal law.

Over the course of the Connecticut case, documents came out through the discovery process showing that gun company Remington has a licensing agreement with Activision. It is not clear if such an agreement exists between Daniel Defense and Activision.

A 2019 Instagram post from Daniel Defense says “Call of Duty Modern Warfare launched today” and shows a photo of the type of rifle used in the Uvalde shooting.

Other Instagram posts from Daniel Defense show videos of young men actively firing the company’s rifle. A 2020 Instagram post shows an image of someone taking a gun out of the trunk of their car and the words “refuse to be a victim.”

“Gun companies like Daniel Defense don’t act alone,” Koskoff said. “AR-15s were available when many of us were growing up, but we didn’t have mass shootings by kids. What has changed is that companies like Instagram and Activision do more than just allow gun companies to reach consumers–they underwrite and mainstream violence to struggling adolescents.”

This is not the first lawsuit families have filed against Daniel Defense. Uvalde victims’ families previously filed two lawsuits against the Georgia-based gun manufacturer, alleging that the company intentionally marketed its AR-15 rifles to young males in ways that “encourage the illegal and dangerous misuse” of its weapons.

Daniel Defense has sought to dismiss those lawsuits, which were filed in federal court and remain ongoing.

In the two years since the Robb Elementary School shooting, state and local law enforcement officers have been heavily criticized for their response to the massacre. Hundreds of law enforcement officers descended upon the school and waited for more than an hour to confront the gunman, who shot indiscriminately inside two fourth grade classrooms.

The botched response was the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice report and a scathing Texas House Committee investigation. A grand jury convened by Uvalde District Attorney Christina Mitchell could determine whether any federal, state and local officers are criminally charged.

On Wednesday, Uvalde families — represented by Koskoff — filed a lawsuit against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety Officers. They also announced a $2 million settlement with the city of Uvalde. During a press briefing on the day of that announcement, Koskoff foreshadowed that additional lawsuits would be filed on behalf of Uvalde families, including some lawsuits focusing on the time period before the shooting.

“There has been, appropriately, so much of a focus on law enforcement,” Koskoff told reporters earlier this week. “And, I think it’s appropriate to remember that they are at the end of the road.”

Koskoff noted that the 610-page DOJ report included “not a single page on why the shooting happened in the first place.”

The number of semi-automatic rifles, which include AR-15s, produced or imported in the U.S. have increased significantly since the 1990s. AR-15-style rifles weren’t used in mass shootings until 2007, according to a database kept by Mother Jones. In 2022, gunmen used an AR-15 rifle in 67% of the 12 massacres that year.

The AR-15 was designed in the late 1950s as a military-style rifle.

Officers who responded to the Robb Elementary School shooting feared the rifle and decided to not immediately confront the gunman, a Texas Tribune investigation found. Officers instead waited for a Border Patrol SWAT team based 60 miles away to arrive.

Uvalde families pushed the state Legislature to pass a bill to raise the minimum age for buying certain semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. That bill failed to pass in the Republican-controlled Legislature that has spent years loosening gun laws, making it easier for Texans to get guns in a state whose residents have a strong fealty to the Second Amendment.

[they-them-that]

The Hyuna news is upsetting but also nothing new. There's a pattern of women who are upheld as feminist that turn around and date/marry shady men. It's a complex but systemic issue that I wanted to dissect to propose a productive and feminist way to approach these situations.

1. The Root Cause (Patriarchy)

I get we don't want to give these women any room for excuses when it feels like they've thrown women under the bus but we still have to recognize that although they have unique privileges and are still accountable for their actions, they're also victims of the patriarchy.

We have to recognize that these women are the subjects of a predatory industry and most of them were groomed by it. They're highly isolated and honestly, most of the men they share a career and social circle with are the Junhyung types.

Just like how misogyny and rape culture is still normalized for us common folk, it's fervent in the celebrity sphere where the men have even more power and privileges to abuse. Understanding that, it isn't surprising how shady men have access to these socially isolated women.

2. Placid Feminism

These women live in a bubble and a lot of the feminist action they've seemingly done never extended outside themselves in actuality. I don't deny the possibility they genuinely consider themselves to be feminists because at least for some of them, the issues they've talked about came from personal experience.

The issue comes in on how placid and underdeveloped their feminist values are that they don't think to look for those virtues in romantic partners. It brings into question if they even addressed their partner's past actions and social values or if they just "enjoy each other's company". It becomes even more shallow when these female celebrities revoke their feminist fanbase by doubling down rather than acknowledging the issue. That simply, feminism isn't relevant in the dating scene.

3. Rose Tinted Glasses

How much of a feminist was Hyuna really? Her song Babe was believed to be about the sexualization of minors due to the music video but when you actually read the lyrics, it's really just a love song that romanticizes youth.

Many female artists put out a consumable "girl boss" aesthetic of feminism while their music still revolves around the affection and pleasure of men. A lot of the sexual liberation these women have been praised for actually fails to challenge the status quo and ultimately caters to men and their unrealistic and predatory expectations of beauty and sex. We then have to consider what these women have done for us outside sexy girl-power beats and sadly, it's not much.

We've seen these women being beaten down by misogyny and rise from the ashes and we made it feminist. Their actions felt empowering and radical even when they were just doing it for themselves. We witness their liberation and then seek that these women are activists. The feminist iconography they market at us fulfills our confirmation bias and we hail them as a "girl's girl".

Although I don't blame this on fans when the celebrities literally pink wash their image, it's also important we deepen our own understanding and standards of feminism. We can feel empowered by their work but we shouldn't put these celebrities on a pedestal when they're frankly not doing as much as they actually can be. There are social activists out there who are facing the brunt of the movement, who actually make it their mission to liberate all women and marginalized people. We have to differentiate between an entertainer and an activist. We have to hold celebrities to a standard of basic human decency and activism but we mustn't be impressed by shallow gestures of feminism.

[angie-long-legs]

Inside the gold box is...

...a male grooming kit. From VoxTek.

It's got shavers (with spare razor blades), shaving cream, shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, deodorants, soap bars, hand wash, lotions, suncream, sunglasses, a sunhat, a beach towel with a picture of Valentino in a mankini, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, and a couple of washcloths with the Triple V monogram. Quite a lot is stuffed into that box.

The accompanying brochure shares some marketing spiel:

"Many men desire to look good for their special lady. Or gentleman. Or non-binary joyfriend. That's why we at VoxTek have cultived this extra-special summer care package!

It's our little way of saying thank you for being a loyal customer/employee/target practice for Valentino [delete as applicable]. As the hot summer months roll in for those in the northern hemisphere, we want to make your stay in Hell just that little bit sunnier!

VoxTek! Trust us with your body!"

The smaller text at the bottom reads, "Additional blades, lotions, and Valentino mankini towels sold separately. VoxTek cannot and will not be held responsible for any cuts, bruises, burns, loss of limb, dry skin, rashes, rotting teeth, stomach cramps, chickenpox, decapitations, relationship breakdown, or hilariously bad hairstyles that may occur while using VoxTek products."

There's a bonus present at the bottom too - a stuffed toy deer that's covered in red paint and has loads of pins sticking into it. The tag reads,

"Angel.

Give this to Alastor. Tell him he smells like an elephant's butt.

Vox.

P.S. Val says I'm hotter than you."

Upon finding the grooming paraphernalia within, Angel was pleasantly surprised. He had half expected this to be some kind of prank, orchestrated by someone who wanted to take him down a peg or two. Of course, curiosity still outweighed the potential risk - as always. And this time, it appeared to have paid off.

Raking through the items, he unfurled the towel and was met with the image of his bikini'd boss posing seductively - and promptly rolled it back up. Yeah, Niffty could have that one for cleaning rags. Or maybe Cherri would come over and burn it with him. It would be equally fun to see the moth cut to pieces and dunked in bleach as it would be to see him burnt to cinders.

As for the... other gift. There was no way Angel was giving that to Alastor. He was 99% sure it contained some kind of camera or microphone, but he wasn't about to start squeezing the pin-laden plush to find out.

He rolled his eyes at the final message. There was no doubt in his mind that no such words had been spoken, and Vox simply wanted to use this gift as an opportunity throw shade at Angel and Alastor - his two most detested hotel residents!

Who he went to the bother of sending gifts to.

What a freak.

[radrush]

this has been said a million times already but the balancing act that so many companies that sell appearance-related products to men (fashion, grooming etc.) end up playing with their marketing is incredible. so much of it ends up coming from an angle of faux-utilitarianism and this idea that while masculinity intrinsically involves a disregard for "superficial" concerns over personal appearance, there are certain extrinsic benefits that come from putting a effort into one's appearance. many heterosexual men in our culture find themselves in this precarious position where not caring about certain aspects of appearance is fundamental to their gender identity. But appearance has always been an important social language, and so they still have the desire to appear cool to their friends and attractive to women, so they find other reasons to "care" about appearance. and that's precisely what these marketers are going after. the ability to convince men to care about their appearance and buy products that can enhance their appearance while steering these men around the pitfalls that are our culture's perceptions that caring about one's personal appearance is gay or effeminate. I literally just saw an ad for a razor subscription that read "real men don't fuss over grooming. but they do join [subscription]." they are trying to convince guys that their product WILL make a difference in their appearance and therefore is worth buying while simultaneously attempting to reassure them that buying a specific brand of product means that their level of investment in their personal appearance is not in conflict with their broader gender identity. I think this is why we saw a resurgence in the "old-fashioned" aesthetic in men's grooming products over the past 10-15 years. branding your product with a font and copy that makes it look like its from the 19th century is an attempt at this exact type of reassurance. branding your product in this way associates it with a dubiously historical tradition of masculine grooming, and invokes an imagined past in which gender categories and their associated aesthetics were more rigidly defined. where men can imagine not having to be afraid of being seen as gay for buying the wrong brand of shampoo

[mtndewbajablast]

sad fact of life that grooming products that market themselves like "soap for REAL MEN only no PUSSY LIBERAL BULLSHIT just good old fashion soap with NO FRILLS 😼😼😼 US ARMY grade soap" smell really really good

[sociallyawkwardsailor]

I know, it’s weird to have any sort of loyalty to, basically, a soap company, but there are worse things I could be spending my money on.  It’s difficult for me to even explain why I have such a strong preference to this company anyway, at least beyond “their skin care products actually work.” 

Either way, it’s nice to see them expanding their product line and getting recognition.  

[b2bbusiness]

The Growing UK Haircare Market: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

The UK haircare market has been experiencing significant growth over the past few years. With increasing consumer awareness about personal grooming and a rising interest in natural, sustainable products, the haircare industry in the UK has seen a surge in demand. The market is driven by various factors such as changing lifestyles, new product innovations, and a shift towards eco-friendly and organic options.

Market Overview

The UK haircare market is one of the largest in Europe, with consumers spending billions annually on products ranging from shampoos and conditioners to styling products, hair treatments, and colorants. In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend towards premium and specialized haircare products, as consumers seek solutions for specific hair concerns such as thinning, dryness, and scalp sensitivity.

Key Categories of the UK Haircare Market:

Shampoos and Conditioners: These remain the most purchased items in the haircare category. Many brands are now focusing on sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free formulas to cater to the growing demand for cleaner, more natural options.

Hair Colorants: With the rise of DIY hair coloring during the pandemic, the demand for at-home color kits has spiked. Consumers are looking for high-quality, long-lasting hair dyes, including ammonia-free and semi-permanent options.

Hair Styling Products: The styling segment, which includes gels, sprays, mousses, and creams, has seen growth driven by both professional salons and at-home users. Consumers are looking for products that offer styling versatility while protecting hair from heat and environmental damage.

Hair Treatments: Products such as hair masks, serums, and oils are gaining popularity as consumers look to treat specific concerns like damaged hair, split ends, or frizz.

Key Trends Shaping the UK Haircare Market

Sustainability and Clean Beauty: Environmental concerns have led to a growing preference for sustainable, eco-friendly products. Brands are responding by using recyclable packaging, reducing plastic use, and incorporating natural ingredients. Vegan and cruelty-free certifications are also becoming standard requirements for many UK consumers.

Personalization and Customization: Many brands are offering personalized haircare solutions, where consumers can create bespoke formulations based on their hair type and concerns. This trend reflects the growing demand for tailored products that address specific needs.

Natural and Organic Products: Consumers are increasingly aware of the ingredients in their haircare products. There is a rising demand for natural and organic options that avoid harsh chemicals and focus on ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils.

Diversity and Inclusivity: The UK’s diverse population has driven the need for haircare products that cater to various hair types, particularly curly, coily, and textured hair. More brands are creating products specifically designed for Afro-textured hair, which has been historically underserved in the market.

Men’s Grooming: Men are now paying more attention to haircare, driving demand for products targeted specifically at male consumers. Hair thickening shampoos, styling gels, and beard care products are just some of the items seeing increased interest in the men’s category.

Challenges in the UK Haircare Market

While the UK haircare market is growing, it is not without its challenges:

Intense Competition: The market is crowded with both established brands and new entrants, making it difficult for brands to stand out.

Price Sensitivity: Although there is a trend towards premium products, many consumers are still price-sensitive, especially with the current economic pressures.

Ingredient Transparency: Consumers are becoming more educated and expect brands to be transparent about their ingredient lists. Brands that do not clearly communicate the benefits and safety of their ingredients may lose consumer trust.

Opportunities for Growth

Despite these challenges, the UK haircare market presents several opportunities:

Digital Marketing and E-commerce: With the rise of online shopping, brands can leverage e-commerce platforms to reach a wider audience. Social media influencers and online reviews play a critical role in shaping consumer preferences in this space.

Innovation in Haircare Technology: Brands that innovate with new technologies, such as hair diagnostics or AI-powered personalization, are likely to capture the interest of tech-savvy consumers.

Expansion into Niche Markets: Focusing on specific consumer needs, such as hair growth products, anti-aging haircare, or specialized products for curly and textured hair, can help brands carve out a unique space in the market.

For more insights on the UK haircare market forecast, download a free report sample