MetroMan: Lumbersexual 'in' look

The after photo - Grayson's beard is trimmed and tidy. But as to whether he looks like Zac Efron, that's debatable!

Is lumbersexual really a thing?

Well, according to the female staff at Hamilton News it is. For those of you unwise, like me until a month ago, a lumbersexual is a rugged, yet tidy facial hair look for men that is evidently the latest appealing look!

Being a single man and one to give anything a go at least once to increase appeal, I thought I'd give it a go. Making an idiot out of myself in the process doesn't phase me.

At work, clean shaven is almost a compulsory look. For me, it's a shave every day and I only rebel on weekends and summer holidays where I have been known to go for the cave man look. Shaving the last day of a summer holiday and coming to work with a white tan line on my face is my thing.

My facial hair grows fast, and I mean really fast - one week and a full beard is no problem.

For this column I left the styling decisions up to my team - very trusting I know - especially after some of their suggestions for my last men's waxing column!

I was curious what I would I come out looking like? Zac Efron? (Wishful thinking I know!) Or more like a trimmed up castaway? Thankfully neither. Lumbersexual is more ruggedly handsome than Zac yet less castaway than my usual summer shaving rebellion.

According to Paula Whittaker from Who's Ya Barber, where I got my trim, men's beards are very much the 'in' thing. Brushes, blades, trimmers and scented beard lotions were all new to me!

While getting lumbersexualised, Paula told me all the caretaking tips and skin care techniques to achieve the best shave. Hot towels, lotions and brushing are evidently essential. After two weeks of hair growing and 30 minutes with Paula, check out the new look ... So is lumbersexual a thing? You tell me!

Grayson Bell is the manager of Hamilton News.

Who's Ya Barber is located at 26 Bryant Rd, Te Rapa. Phone 981 1311 or see www.whosyabarber.co.nz.