Today, fashion and beauty products are usually associated with women. However, this, too, is the result of a change that took place over time. In fact, the male form was the original standard of beauty in Western culture. The muscular and fit male athlete was the ideal of elegance. For hundreds of years, make-up was associated with both women and men. Men in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome wore make-up on their faces and nails. Roman men even had some bizarre beauty practices of their own, such as the habit of bathing in crocodile water to improve their skin. Men's grooming and make-up went in and out of style a number of times through history, before becoming very unfashionable during the industrial age of the early 1800s. However, there are signs that masculine concern for appearance is making a return, as more men are joining gyms and opting to use skin care products than ever before.

The standards for beauty and fashion have changed frequently throughout history and will, no doubt, continue to do so. However, one thing unlikely to ever change is people's fascination with beauty.