Salon and spa sessions are must-have gifts FATHER'S DAY: BEAUTY

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Jun 18, 2006 | by Jenifer Johnston

FORGET novelty socks and ties - male beauty treatments have emerged as the must-have gift this Father's Day.

Salons and spas across the country have reported that in the run up to this weekend, eyebrow waxing, massage vouchers and moisturisers have been selling out in anticipation of Father's Day.

Annette Lamb of Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh said that their beauty counters and their Elemis salon have been "very" busy ahead of today.

"Some of our counter assistants have noticed that women are buying very specific items, things their partners have obviously asked for.

"In terms of products it is incredible that men have been looking, not for fragrances but for moisturisers, " she said.

A spokesman for House of Fraser, which has a Glasgow store as well as landmark shop Jenners in Edinburgh, said vouchers for treatments such as facials and scalp massages in their salons have been selling strongly.

"Things have really taken off this year - fake tans, moisturiser and face products are really popular as gifts, as are treatments. Two or three years ago you wouldn't have got your dad anything like this."

In Glasgow, Claire Lawrence, manager of The Men's Store, said that hot towel shaves and massages have been especially popular with people looking for gifts.

The market for men's beauty products is growing year on year. Figures from retail analysts Datamonitor show the market is worth GBP1.3 billion a year, with men under 40 spending an annual average of GBP111 on products - only GBP27 less than women.

In recent years, Father's Day has really become big business: some 23 million Father's Day cards are sent annually in the UK, at a cost of GBP32 million.