A Daily Mail columnist, Caroline Bullock, recently decided to flip the script on the endless commentary about women’s looks. Writing in response to John Sturgis, who had taken aim at fillers and beauty tweaks on Love Island, she argued that men are hardly immune to going overboard. In her view, plenty of modern male grooming habits have crossed the line from polished to painfully try-hard. Her big takeaway is simple, the same rule applies to everyone, less is more.
Bullock admits she can understand some of the criticism aimed at beauty culture, but she thinks it is unfair to focus on women as if men are not chasing a carefully constructed image too. With barbershops and salons busier than ever, the pressure to look “done” has clearly expanded. The problem is not effort, it is when the effort becomes the whole point. Once a look starts to shout for attention, it stops being attractive and starts feeling like a costume.
Some of the most obvious offenders are the ones that look unnatural up close. Think teeth that are so white they stop looking real, or self-tan that turns skin a suspicious shade of orange. Add a moustache that is thin to the point of looking like a joke, and the overall vibe can feel more like a gimmick than a style choice. Hair also makes the list when it is badly chosen or too forced, especially when a missed haircut or a retro mullet moment overwhelms the person wearing it. Bullock’s point is not that trends are forbidden, but that the wrong trend can take over your whole face.
Then there are the bigger statements that some men are convinced make them stand out in a good way. Full sleeve tattoos are one example she highlights, and she jokes that winter layers at least give everyone a break from seeing them on display. Beards can fall into the same category when they are overly sculpted, too sharp, or clearly maintained with more precision than most people give their wardrobes. Cosmetic tweaks can also backfire when the goal becomes looking altered rather than simply well-rested. Instead of projecting confidence, the result can read as insecurity in HD.
The best style choices usually have one thing in common, they let you notice the person first. A good haircut, clean grooming, and details that look effortless tend to land better than anything that screams “look at me.” If you are going to change something, it helps to aim for subtle upgrades rather than extremes. When the focus is balance, the whole look feels calmer, fresher, and more believable.
Which men’s grooming trend feels the most overdone to you right now? Share your thoughts in the comments.
