Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Balancing Refinement and Manliness
T2 - A Beauty Formula for Men’s Social and Professional Success
AU - Hird, Derek
PY - 2024/2/19
Y1 - 2024/2/19
N2 - This article discusses the difficult balancing act between refinement and manliness that male beauty vloggers seek to perform, in the context of shifting ideals of masculinity in China’s modern history. It examines several techniques that male beauty vloggers promote as a non-feminising aesthetics, which enable young men to gain social prestige and professional advancement, without being labelled sissies or damaging their heteronormative masculinity in any way. The vloggers’ strategy resonates with attempts in the male cosmetics industry starting in the Republican era to create new masculine ideals that enhance men’s social, sexual and professional appeal, while enabling them to continue to enjoy the benefits of a conventionally acceptable masculinity. At all times, women’s impact on re-shaping male ideals has been significant. The article highlights the argument from both men and women that refined and manly makeup offers the ordinary Chinese man a productive, quick and affordable way to gaining an edge in a highly competitive world. Hybrid and flexible masculinities and the heterosexual matrix provide the main conceptual frameworks for the study.
AB - This article discusses the difficult balancing act between refinement and manliness that male beauty vloggers seek to perform, in the context of shifting ideals of masculinity in China’s modern history. It examines several techniques that male beauty vloggers promote as a non-feminising aesthetics, which enable young men to gain social prestige and professional advancement, without being labelled sissies or damaging their heteronormative masculinity in any way. The vloggers’ strategy resonates with attempts in the male cosmetics industry starting in the Republican era to create new masculine ideals that enhance men’s social, sexual and professional appeal, while enabling them to continue to enjoy the benefits of a conventionally acceptable masculinity. At all times, women’s impact on re-shaping male ideals has been significant. The article highlights the argument from both men and women that refined and manly makeup offers the ordinary Chinese man a productive, quick and affordable way to gaining an edge in a highly competitive world. Hybrid and flexible masculinities and the heterosexual matrix provide the main conceptual frameworks for the study.
KW - masculinity
KW - China
KW - refinement
KW - beauty
KW - cosmetics
KW - vlogging
M3 - Journal article
VL - 26
SP - 114
EP - 143
JO - Nan Nü: Men, Women and Gender in China
JF - Nan Nü: Men, Women and Gender in China
SN - 1387-6805
ER -