The Vanity Divide: Men Now Spend Nearly as Much on Beauty as Women in UK
Men close beauty spending gap with women in UK

In a dramatic shift that's rewriting the rules of British beauty, men are now spending almost as much on their appearance as women, according to a comprehensive new study that's sending shockwaves through the cosmetics industry.

The Vanity Revolution

Gone are the days when a simple razor and soap defined male grooming. Today's British man is investing heavily in serums, moisturisers, hair treatments, and even cosmetic procedures, with spending patterns that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago.

By the Numbers

The research reveals that men now allocate approximately 22% of their monthly disposable income to beauty and grooming products. This represents a seismic shift in consumer behaviour that's creating new opportunities and challenges for beauty brands across the United Kingdom.

What Men Are Buying

  • Skincare regimes featuring multiple products
  • Premium haircare and styling treatments
  • Fragrance collections for different occasions
  • Beard maintenance products and tools
  • Cosmetic treatments including botox and fillers

The Social Media Effect

Experts point to social media platforms and changing workplace expectations as key drivers behind this transformation. The pressure to maintain a polished appearance both online and in professional settings has never been higher for British men.

Industry Response

Beauty retailers and brands are rapidly adapting to this new landscape, with many launching male-specific lines and creating marketing campaigns that challenge traditional gender norms around self-care and appearance maintenance.

The study suggests this trend shows no signs of slowing, indicating that the beauty spending gap between British men and women may close completely within the next few years.