Global perceptions of male beauty

In England, men are considered handsome if they grow beards, have tattoos, and possess a physique similar to David Beckham. Meanwhile, in South Korea, men are highly valued if they resemble singer G-Dragon.

In recent years, men have become increasingly interested in grooming. Specifically, according to Buzzfeed, from 2012 to 2014, sales of men's grooming products increased by 70% globally. In 2013, the men's skincare sector alone generated $3.3 billion in revenue for the beauty industry. Alongside these grooming products, debates about the ideal male beauty standards have also intensified.

Recently, Buzzfeed created a video compiling typical beauty beliefs and trends among men in 12 countries around the world, including: the United States, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Turkey, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia.

David Beckham is considered the ideal role model for British men. Photo: Fanpop.

The ideal American male image is often like Chris Evans, Channing Tatum, or Chris Pratt. These are mostly white, muscular men with a V-shaped physique (broad shoulders and large biceps and chest muscles, tapering towards the waist). The ideal American man typically has a beard and wears plaid shirts.

Meanwhile, the beauty standards for men in the UK are often divided into two distinct "schools": "metrosexual" and "lads." "Metrosexual" refers to men who are meticulous about their appearance, while "lads" lean towards a more innocent image. Ideal male role models in the UK include David Beckham, Jamie Dornan, and Robert Pattinson. The trend of growing beards and using grooming products has also become increasingly popular in the UK in recent years. According to statistics, one in five British men has a tattoo.

Italian men are considered to be among the most fashion-conscious. They are not afraid to experiment with different colors, outfits, and styles, even those traditionally associated with women, such as pink or purple. Most of the clothes worn by Italian men are meticulously chosen. Italian men are also quite open to grooming to enhance their appearance. Notable examples of Italian men's grooming include Raoul Bova, Claudio Marchisio, and Giulio Berruti.

Claudio Marchisio represents the quintessential Italian man. Photo: Blogspot.

In South Korea, the ideal man is like actor Won Bin, singer G-Dragon, or members of EXO. They typically possess a muscular physique but with a touch of femininity. They often wear trendy clothes and makeup. Skin-whitening creams are the most popular cosmetic product among men in the country. Furthermore, there's a growing trend towards plastic surgery. Their desired image includes large, double-lidded eyes and a high nose bridge.

In Australia, the "hottest" man has to look like Chris Hemsworth, or at least Liam Hemsworth, Hugh Jackman, or Ryan Kwanten. According to recent studies, most men in the country aspire to a muscular physique. They are also increasingly interested in cosmetic surgery, mostly nose jobs, facelifts, eyelid surgery, lip fillers, etc.

G-Dragon is the quintessential example of the ideal male beauty that Korean men aspire to. Photo: Wordpress.

Brazilian men are considered handsome if they have a tanned complexion and straight, light-colored hair. In addition, they must possess a muscular, toned physique. Besides using beauty products, the trend of men undergoing cosmetic surgery has been increasing in Brazil in recent years. Ideal male figures in the country include Rodrigo Santoro, Bruno Gagliasso, and Cauã Reymond.

As for Türkiye, men like Tolgahan Sayisman, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, and Burak Özçivit would receive the highest scores. Instead of the traditional masculine, rugged image, men in this country are beginning to gravitate towards a more romantic, sensitive image, most notably through the trend of body hair removal. According to a recent survey, women in this country also expressed a preference for men without chest hair.

According to VNE