Negative comments about me going to a beauty salon - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Negative comments about me going to a beauty salon

Anonymous

I was seen by a male coworker a few weeks ago, going into one of my regular beauty salons, where I often get shoulder, neck and back massages and pedis with coloured OPI polishes.

Mostly jokingly, a few days later this guy told me that real men do not go to beauty salons and we laughed it off.

He, in my absence also mentioned it to a few of the woman at work and a couple of them defended me, saying I have just as much right as a woman to treat myself and they see no harm in it.

Does your husband/SO go to a salon for treatments?

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

rae

(website)

Veteran

That guy sounds like he has nothing interesting to talk about himself, since he has to get attention this way.

My husband does not go to salons, but he prefers to groom himself and even cuts his own hair. However, I know plenty of men who love getting back massages and foot massages and get their hair cut in salons. Maybe it's a Los Angeles thing, I don't know. It does not seem strange at all to me.

Mona

Veteran

My husband does not go but I would fully support him if he wanted to go. There is nothing wrong with men going to salons massages or whatever they want. If it makes them feel better, why not.

nk123

My husband does go get massages. It is unfortunate that your colleague's sense of humor involves making others uncomfortable. Men are absolutely entitled to pamper themselves. The beauty industry is working very hard to capture the ever increasing male market.

Nanabear

Psh, don't listen to the guy. I don't have a SO but I know my sister's SO does get massages at the spa (partly because it's covered by his insurance). Nobody I know has a problem with that. I don't see how going to a salon should be labelled as "unmanly".

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

My partner has gone for pedis and even got a mani without polish when I asked him to join me. My son goes to a salon for haircuts.

I wouldn't let the opinion of someone else bother you. We would all be a lot happier if we lived to the standard we set for ourselves and let others do the same.

merwoman

Veteran

Sounds like he's a little insecure, and has a very narrow perspective on things - his problem, not yours.
I'm seeing more and more men in the beauty salon I frequent. - mostly having manicures. I think this is fantastic - there is something to be said for soft-skinned hands versus sand-paper.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

My husband doesn't go to a salon. He goes to a barber, who does a nice job on his hair. My father, on the other hand, goes regularly to a salon. He likes being fussed over by the pretty lady who cuts his hair. I often see men at the salon I frequent. I'm having a hard time seeing what could possibly be wrong with that.

RunnerChick

Your co-worker sounds like such a paternalistic little so-and-so - men like that drive me batty! So sorry about your experience with him, that sounds less than pleasant!

My husband cuts his hair in a salon by a stylist that he swears by. She's amazing, and has cut my hair too from time to time. He does like massages at the spa, but that's not a regular practice for either of us. A few year ago, I took him for his first pedicure; since then, a pedicure has become a treat that we indulge in after long runs/ races.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and a number of my straight and gay men friends and family make use of salon/ spa services. I don't find it unusual at all.

neatnic

My husband gets his hair cut in a salon, and enjoys the extra bit of pampering he gets there -- scalp massages and conditioning treatments. I'd ignore your co-worker's comments; he sounds pretty closed-minded.

ironkurtin

Veteran

My husband doesn't go to a salon, but if I he did I would love it.

And I love that you do your toenails.

ClaraT

Veteran

I know plenty of men (especially in positions in which they interact with a lot of people, such as sales) who get manicures and pedicures as well as salon services. I wish my husband would do this occasionally, especially the pedicure.

It's him, not you. For sure.

Glory

Veteran

My husband goes to a salon to get his hair done, and my son does as well. There are lots of men there.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Maybe that guy is jealous and wants his nails done too. A lot of my male colleagues have nicer nails than I do

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My husband goes to a nice salon to have his hair cut, and he loves getting massages too. He's even had a manicure, which he enjoyed.

I totally agree with the others about how unfortunate it is that your colleague feels the need to talk about you this way.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My husband gets his hair cut in a salon and he once got a hand massage when his hand was hurting for some reason. The other day when I was getting my hAir cut there was a guy getting highlights.

Anonymous

I gotta tell you, I think going and taking care of yourself is a sign of respect. There is something WRONG with him, not you. Enjoy.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

In my university city there is an entire salon dedicated to men. I say he's just uncomfortable with anything that he doesn't know much about, and you should just ignore him.

Atlantia

Veteran

Right now my boyfriend is cutting his hair in our bathroom. Sigh.
Two of my male coworkers go to the salon a lot. One for massages, and the other for eyebrow maintenance.

Marley

Veteran

Ignore that man. He has no idea what he's talking about. When my husband was in an Executive position he went to a salon every other week for a manicure and once a month for a pedicure - plus the regular hair-cuts, massages, etc. - no one ever gave it a 2nd thought. There were other men at the salon doing the same thing. The last time my granddaughters and their father (my stepson) were visiting us, we all went to the salon together for manicures and pedicures and at my granddaughters' coaxing my stepson (their father) got pink polish on his toes, along with a touch of glitter. It was fun and harmless - and no one else's business. Your co-worker has no idea what a treat he is missing out on. (Because my husband no longer treats himself to manicures and pedicures, I got him a gift-certificate at his favorite salon as a Christmas gift - he'll love it!)

Isabel

Veteran

Where I live, barbers are becoming more and more of an anomaly. There aren't many. So most men that I know go to salons. Many men that I know, also get messages. ( My husband being one of them). Public figures do this on the daily.

Poor man.....missing the revolution. : )

ManidipaM

Veteran

It's so safe and cozy in the little square holes some people like to build themselves --- or stay in because that's where someone put them and they daren't venture out into the great wide unknown ::Tsk-tsk::

My SO's just back from a spa resort, and though he complained that the herb poultice was scaldingly hot (yikes!), I recall he was all but bouncing with anticipation, a la Tigger, when he headed out. It's all in his line of work, but since such occasions are often restricted to 'work' for him (too many other commitments and priorities on the personal front), more's the pity.

I wish he had the time and other resources for regular manis and pedis too --- unlike me (I am very wary of anyone fussing with my feet and my nails are as spare as I can get them), he really enjoys them.

It's been a while since he last wore nailpolish, but I'd have *words* with anyone trying to tell him --- or me --- what to do to 'be a real man' or 'be a proper woman'. I'm really sorry you have to put up with a colleague so infuriating.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

In these situations I always keep the phrase "Consider the source" in mind. I this person someone you admire and respect the opinions of? There are a lot of crazy makers in this world. Hold you head high, men should take care of themselves and quite often forget to do so. You should be proud of yourself for discovering this way to find a little relaxation and pampering in this crazy busy world...

Anonymous

For haircuts, my DH goes to the same salon that I go to. He doesn't get any "treatments," but does use Grecian formula to cover his gray hair. I see nothing wrong with a man going to a salon for treatments, and I think this guy you're referring to has an inferiority complex or something. Not sure what it is, exactly, but I think his comments are rude and his attitude is intolerant.

rachylou

Veteran

My bf would be uncomfortable in a barber shop as well as a mini day spa. He goes to a salon for his haircuts, and I think he'd like a hotel spa.

Anyways, the real mark of a real man is how well he can ride herd on an assortment of women, children, and household pets... Does he change the baby diaper or go knock on the neighbor's door? Hahaha! ;>