With the rise of the metrosexual from the ashes of the urban Neanderthal, the subject of grooming has become supremely important. The astronomic rise in the number of twenty-first century straight trendsetters, willing to explore the feminine side is changing the gender dynamic in contemporary societies at breakneck speed. Today, guys who refuse to embrace style and sophistication are falling prey to a new breed of social Darwinism, which dictates the survival of the dandiest. In response to this drastic shift in attitudes Fashionlines is publishing its first comprehensive guide to grooming for our progressive male readers.

The reign of the insensitive caveman existing only to copulate with a healthy mate is an artifact of the past, currently gathering dust in the trash bin of history. Excessive masculinity and testosterone drenched macho attitudes no longer impress women. Independent, college-educated females are seeking confident, self-aware, and fashionable counterparts, not brutes. In this day and age, pounding pitchers of beer at local bars, competing in arm-wrestling contests, and devouring 10 servings of baby-back ribs in one sitting don’t impress women. In fact, these unrefined acts, geared towards asserting one’s manliness, have the ultimate effect of repulsing the ladies.

Many are convinced that using hair styling products and wearing fashionable clothes erode the quintessence of ‘maleness’. But now that the line between the gay and straight is significantly blurred, it is imperative to keep pace with the changing times. The author of The Metrosexual Guide to Style, Michael Flocker, writes in his best-selling book, “Secure in his masculinity, [the modern man] no longer needs to spend his life defending it. He has options. The sexual revolution is old news and the new man is free to enjoy his single life and youthful appeal. If he is married, it is by choice, not necessity.” So, grab a jar of anti-aging moisturizer and declare your freedom from the cobwebbed conservatism of the past. The renaissance of your social life will follow.

Revolutionizing the Mane

An outdated hair cut can significantly damage a person’s overall charisma. Regardless of how many Zegna suits or Turnbull & Asser shirts hang in your mahogany closet, a geeky side-part or gel encrusted helmet-head can instantaneously render you a non-factor in the dating game. This is not to say that in the name of looking cutting-edge you must race to the nearest chichi salon to replicate Brad Pitt’s egg-yoke colored Mohawk. In fact, stay far away from all colorants because a little bit of salt and pepper makes a gentleman look distinguished. Case and point Richard Gere. First, find a current and tasteful style that works. Then, maintain it with regular trims.

If you are blessed with thick, healthy hair, ask your stylist (not local barber—trust us there is a major difference) to give you a fashionable look. It might be helpful to flip through the pages of GQ or Esquire before your appointment. The celebrities and models featured in these magazines can give you great new ideas.

Balding men, on the other hand, are much better off opting for a close buzz or clean shave. The truth is that neither the comb-over nor the toupée fool people. Any man trying really hard to conceal his hair loss runs the risk of coming across as insecure. Remember, self-confidence is an irresistible aphrodisiac.

Also, keep in mind that celebrities with full heads of hair have, on occasion, been known to shave it all off in the name of panache. Justin Timberlake, Matthew McConaughy, and the ultimate metrosexual, David Beckham, a.k.a. Becks, are among such fashion-forward pioneers.

Age is Skin Deep

For women 50 is the new 30. Femmes are taking full advantage of what the advances in technology have to offer in the fountain of youth department. So why whither away as the women you went to college with age like fine French wine? As dermatologist extraordinaire Nicholas Perricone so aptly put it, ““Wrinkled, sagging skin is NOT the inevitable result of growing older. It is a disease, and you can fight it.”

●Nature’s best and most effective cure for aging skin is water. If you consume 8 glasses of H2O daily, your complexion will stay hydrated, taught, and smooth.

●Every night before going to bed cleanse your face with warm water and a non-allergenic, non-abrasive cleanser like Cetaphyl.

●In the shower use a product like the Nivea for Men Exfoliating Face Scrub to gently remove dead skin. This practice will purify your skin, clear away built-up dirt, and prevent clogged pores.

●Every morning before stepping out, apply a high-end moisturizer that offers UV protection to your face and neck. Sun exposure causes more damage to the skin than any other external factor. Try using Clinique’s M Protect SPF Factor 21 for essential hydration plus protection from harmful rays.

●To reduce the appearance of fine-lines consider continued use of a cream containing anti-oxidants. Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin Ester C products from the Perricone Cosmeceutical line are renowned for miraculous results.

Smooch-Worthy Shave

A scruffy face made all the more unattractive by a bushy mustache and funky sideburns is bound to scare away potential dates. Conversely, “Taking care of yourself and taking pride in your appearance not only heightens your confidence, it makes you far more desirable in the sack,” Flocker asserts. Thus, in order attract hoards of swooning admirers dying to cover you with kisses, lather up for a close shave.

●Always shave after taking a shower because steam opens up pores and softens hair follicles.

●If you have a heavy beard choose a wet shave with a razor over an electric razor. The cream formulation of Kiehls’ wildly popular Ultimate Men’s Shave Cream, spiked with menthol and camphor, provides an unprecedented skin effect for close shavers.

●Avoid shaving with a dull razor at all costs. There are few sights more unpleasant than a face dotted with blood stained tissue pieces.

●Use warm water because hot water dehydrates the skin.

●Do not use canned shaving foams containing alcohol because their PH balance dries and irritates the skin.

Body Hair Dos and Don'ts

While the Chubaka look is not desirable, getting rid of every strand of hair on your body is unadvised. For instance, unless you are an Olympic swimmer, don’t shave your legs. The hair will not only grow back thicker and darker, but sans the protective fuzz your legs look bare, twiggy, and pale. The rule of thumb in this department is to leave everything south of the waist intact.

●Electrolysis, the practice of transmitting a low-voltage electric current to destroy the papilla, is the most effective way to eliminate hair in the long term. While a slight burning session can cause discomfort, the intensity of the pain varies from individual to individual. Electrolysis is best suited for chest and back hair.

●Waxing is a great alternative to shaving. After waxing, skin is left feeling smooth (the wax removes a considerable amount of dead skin cells along with hair) and regrowth does not happen for at least a month. Since there is quite a bit of pain involved in this process, many may be tempted to shave instead. But be forewarned, cutting the hair follicle consistently, without removing the root, strengthens the hair and makes is grow back stronger and spikier. If you don’t want your significant other to be prickled by a bed of thorns consider waxing or electrolysis.

●There is no excuse for back hair. Get rid of it.

●Always trim your armpits and naughty bits.

Immaculate Hands & Feet

Unless you are a farm hand in a tropical climate, you have no excuse walking around with chipped, dirty nails. There is no shame in getting a manicure or pedicure, if you are not competent with a nail file. Basketball sensation Michael Jordan is famous for getting manicures every 10 days and if someone who has made a brilliant career out of his athletic capability does not feel impeccable nail-beds emasculate him, why should you?

Finally, if you are infected with nail fungus, don’t expect it to go away on its own. Antibiotics are the only way to get rid of this condition. If your nails are yellow, flaky, and thick, call an internalist or dermatologist today.

Man has come long way since he clubbed women and dragged them back to his cave. The post-modern male, otherwise known as the metrosexual, is a sophisticated gentleman with distinctive flair and excellent taste. He is knowledgeable about the arts, enjoys fine wine and loves to cook gourmet meals for his lover.

Impeccably dressed and well moisturized, the metrosexual is here to stay. Convert or become extinct. The choice is yours.