MensTrends: Lifestyle

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Jack Parr, recently crowned Top Model UK 2015 and current Mr British Empire says 'People look at someone like Beckham and think how does he look like that at that age? Oh he wears moisturiser better get some of that on'. Thanks to superstars like the man himself David Beckham, boyband One Direction, actor Jude Law and a generation of selfie takers men have come to realise that looking good is not only for women. The male grooming industry has boomed in the last few years. At the end of 2014 the sales of men’s skin care products was worth £25m in the UK, having grown by more than 4% the year before. Areas such as Liverpool, Manchester, Essex and London have taken charge of the phenomenon with male only salon and skin care products popping up to cater to everyone's needs from hair removal to pedicures

In our new social media dominated world were a relationship, love, date or sex comes at the swipe of a photograph, men have learnt that not looking good could cost the possibility of finding their next partner. It's not only wellbeing products like moisturiser that are on the up it's the old male taboo products like concealer and guy liner that is seeing a massive increase. The last time the world saw make up and men come together, Dale Winton's orange face was all over our television screens. It's now less about the Bowie-esque sparkles or heavy gothic guy liner but more about using the subtler products and treatments that millions of women use on a regular basis. Deeply manly male celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Bradley Cooper have been photographed with but of the old slap on. Rumour has it Harry Styles is partial to a bit of lipstick, sporting it at the bands film premier back in 2013. It's not just the celebrities getting in on the action. Superstore Debenhams reported that men spent 24% more on grooming products than in the same period last year. 'It used to be seen as a negative for men to wear make-up but it's now being promoted you see it in shops male make-up, male foundation, it's seen as an okay thing to wear now' says Jack. Even major male designers such as Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs launched their own male skin care products back 2013 due to the rapid growth of the male skin care market. Not all products have succeeded. Back in 2008 Superdrug launched TaxiMan but many felt the world was not ready for it with it since being withdrawn from shops. Now in 2015 the majority of 18-55 year olds are happy to describe themselves as 'metrosexual'.

Although some feel it wasn’t a boom as such but more just the male mind taking inspiration from other types of celebrities. Jessica Punter grooming editor of GQ said "When I began covering grooming in 2006, we were still at the stage of trying to convince men to even moisturise – let alone pay for facials or manicures." She feels the sudden interest in male grooming is less about insecurities than it is about new standards of beauty, " I am pretty sure male hair removal is influenced by the porn industry and I don't think this is necessarily about a conscious insecurity, just what men perceive as the new normal,". Jack though feels that the 'boom' is down to male insecurities. He feels that because "the male model industry image has increased in recent years and it has put pressure on the so called normal day to day life male. Males are pressured now in keeping their skin clear and spending time on their hair it's now a normal thing spend 45 minutes doing your hair". The fact of the matter is men have now caught up with women when it comes to insecurities. Men strive for the perfect body or look now. I study conducted by the YMCA revealed that 38% of men questioned said that they would sacrifice a year of their life if it meant that they could have the perfect body. Whether it is down to insecurities or a sudden realisation that men just want to take care of themselves, one thing is for sure, the male grooming industry still has its stabilisers on. With the success on Tom Fords and Marc Jacobs products its set that male spending on grooming products will possibly equal that of women's in the next five to ten years. At the end of the day it’s your face, why wouldn’t you want it to look good? Here is my interview with recently crowned Top Model UK and currently Mr British Empire Jack Parr.

Lifestyle

How To Boost Your Energy

12:57

We have all had that feeling of tiredness where even blinking becomes an effort. All you want to do is rest those sandbags you call eyelids and drift off into a sleep so you feel recharged and ready to go. The only problem is you wake just as tired and when you feel asleep.

It’s hard to overcome that sate of tiredness when you feel you have nothing left in the tank. Lucky for you I spoke to nutritionist and personal trainer Oli Williams about how to overcome this state and how to make sure you steer well clear so that you wont be feeling this again!

Here are Oli’s tips to boost your energy levels;

Get up

People don’t seem to understand that when they are feeling tired or drained the idea is to not sit down or go to bed it’s actually to get up and do something. I’m not saying go run a marathon but going to gym and doing a 20-minute circuit blitz or 10 laps of the pool will get your blood pumping and get those needed nutrients to your muscles. Also move out of your comfort zone and start doing exercises or activities that will get new muscles moving. Instead of a standard arms workout why not try a boxercise class. By changing up your weekly routine you will start to feel more pumped, start to burn fat and significantly elevate your metabolism.

Catch those Zeeeees

I feel like I’m eating my own words now but you must get your sleep. The most you need is 8 hours. The least you can fully function on is around 6 hours. Sleep is needed for cell reproduction as well as the release of proteins for growth and repairing muscle tissues. Sleep deprivation will cause mood swings, weak immune system, poor concentration as well as lack or concentration and productivity.

Breakfast in the most important meal of the day

I can’t stress enough the importance of breakfast. The literal term of breaking the fast after sleeping supplies your body with a jolt of fuel that sets the tone for the whole day. Food is your fuel to keep you going. A car won’t go very far without petrol and it’s the same as your body. I recommend slow energy releasing food like porridge that will keep you going till lunch. Just avoid the flavorer kinds, which can be packed with sugar. Instead, sweeten your bowl with milk and a bit of honey, and top with fruit and nuts.

Its time to get complex

Carbs can be the savior or the devil. When people go on diets the first thing they cut out is carbs/ That’s the worst! You need carbs in your daily intake but you need the right cards. There are two kinds - complex and refined. Refined carbs are foods such as white rice, white sugar or white flour. These are nutritionally poor and cause a spike in your blood sugars. Complex carbs such as whole grain products, oats, brown rice and sweet potato stabilize your blood sugar and energy levels. The one thing I would say is no carbs after 7pm as this is normally the time of the day you will be resting, watching TV or even getting ready for bed resulting in these carbs being stored as fat.

Cut the caffein

People think that if they are feeling tired a cup of coffee will sort them out. Yes it will but only for a short space of time then they need another one. Caffeine increases the production of stress hormones, causing a short energy boost. This energy boost can later result in anxiety, frustration, irritability, insomnia, muscle tension and weakened immunity. Limit yourself to a couples of cups a day or try and switch to a healthier alternative like green tea.

Pumping iron…the tasty kind

Iron is needed in your diet as it produces energy from food or glucose. Make sure your diet is packed with foods such as red meats, fish, chicken, eggs, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds. These natural sugars will keep you going throughout the day.

Go for a check up

A lot of people go through life with an undiagnosed illness. I would advise anyone who is suffering from lack of sleep, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety or rapid weight gain to go to the doctors and get a check up. You may be suffering from Hypothyroidism, a common thyroid disorder.

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