It’s true that “a certain percentage of men and boys” is becoming prey for the advertisers and the promoters of various hair care, skin care, fragrance and fashion products aimed at them – and to the growing number of women who demand that their partners “get in the same boat” with them on this. (And I have to admit that as “an observer” of media who notices things and tries not to be unduly influenced by them, I’ve noticed the trends.) But thankfully – in the US at least – this is a relatively small percentage. (I won’t deny that in some age groups and in some cultures, primarily urban, it seems, the percentages are higher.)
I shower with Ivory soap. I wash my hair with Head & Shoulders. I usually shave with whatever shaving cream was on sale at the time I bought it (unscented), or simply by lathering my face with soap. I brush my teeth with Colgate (because I’m used to it) in the plainest formula I can find. I don’t use mouthwash, after-shave, body oils or skin lotions (unless it’s for “treatment” of damaged skin) or fragrances of any kind. In fact, I don’t even use antiperspirant or deodorant (and you would not know that unless I told you).
I cut my (full head of) hair myself about six or seven times a year (clippers and a #4 comb – it takes a while to get the back right!, and I know it’s not perfect, but what is?) and I don’t color my grey-to-white hair. (I know that it’s time to cut my hair when it’s possible to tell that I haven’t combed it. I haven’t “combed my hair” in years, although I do have a brush on hand to treat stubborn cases of bed-head, when it gets long enough to be affected.)
I buy inexpensive clothing (but not shapeless or ugly), including second-hand and consignment stuff of good quality, and wear it until it’s unfit to wear out – and then I just wear it around the house.
I’m not alone in this. I see men all the time who (I’m sure – we don’t discuss it!) do more or less the same thing.
Despite all this, a lot of women seem to find me attractive (or invisible, and in that case who cares?), and children are not generally repulsed. Works for me.