Does He or Doesn't He?

Most men color their hair for very specific reasons. We women are so used to pampering, plucking and primping ourselves from a very young age that we don't even need a reason anymore to do any beauty treatment ever. It can be anything from a "new love'" to change of season to just boredom. Men are much more black and white about this decision. I think the number one reason that drives men is the age factor. Sometimes it begins with a wife or girlfriend that thinks the gray makes them look old. Men in film and tv color for the obvious reasons. Sometimes to create a character. Sometimes to enhance good features or diminish flaws that film and tv can often bring attention to. Men competing in business or working in a young industry also find themselves in the drugstore sheepishly shopping for haircolor. I have often helped the "confused" man in Duane Reade that does not know what to buy. Most men are not comfortable with the "secret" getting out that they do color their hair. Of course to me it is always obvious. The "at home" hair color for men is not bad, it is usually the color choice and the frequent applications that leads to disaster. The "shoe polish" look or the "brassy" reddish brown tones that are not found in nature are most common mistakes. The good thing is that one or two haircuts and the mistake is gone. I cringe when I see that 50+ newscaster with hair too dark to hide any hints of age sitting next to a 25 year old flawless female cohost. Men also find themselves doing what it takes to "keep up" with society's idea of what's age acceptable. Of course the option is still out there for men. The "salt and pepper" man is still considered "distinguished". Better to leave it alone if you can't do it right. Look at Richard Gere and George Clooney. Enough said.