My Metrosexual makeover

Blame it on the Beckham Factor, but there's a new man in town - form an orderly queue and meet the Metrosexual Male. He's "just gay enough", has regular manicures, can knowledgeably discuss beauty products and loves to shop, yet as his wife can verify - he's definitely heterosexual. And ladies, we love him.

Unfortunately, not every man has got their head round the finer details of Metrosexuality. Computer operator Paul Murphy, 42, says he has the "meaningful relationship" bit down pat.

He's been with his partner Sakuntala for the past 17 years and enjoys cooking and taking care of their two children at their Belsize Park home. It's just absolutely every other aspect of Metrosexuality that he lacks - he has a bad hair cut, no dress sense (today he's wearing a vest top, nasty combats and bulky army boots), chewed nails and we can't even talk about his feet.

As for the facial hair, well, you couldn't call it designer. "I am the classic lowmaintenance man," he growls. "I don't have any grooming products apart from my toothbrush and a disposable Bic razor. My mates would laugh out loud if they thought I owned any grooming products."

But your friends don't live with you and your wife does. So, our mission was to transform him from Neanderthal monster to Metrosexual God in just one day ...

The barber: Geo. F Trumper, 9 Curzon Street, W1

Master barber Allister Hemingway, who's been making men smooth-skinned for 11 years, visibly winces.

"Men used to teach their sons to shave, but that just doesn't happen any more. You do need to learn to do it properly," he advises. After trimming the excess beard, he deftly begins the process of a traditional wet shave with a cut-throat razor. Moisturiser, steaming hot towels, and lashings of rose-scented shaving foam are applied to Paul's face before he emerges smoothskinned, and a delighted convert, half an hour later.

Cost: hot towel shave, £26.50.

Paul's verdict: "Amazing, I feel incredibly refreshed."

The grooming parlour: The Refinery, 60 Brook Street, W1

We continue the deforestation process with a wax treatment on Paul's back and shoulders. Therapist Jeanna Gibson applies the hot wax, and pulls.

"Ouch, it's like having a mosquito attack you!" Paul yelps. Smooth of face and back, it's time to address Paul's crowning glory.

No self-respecting Metrosexual would cut his own hair yet that is exactly what Paul has been doing for the past few years.

And his shampoo is Nitty Gritty - his children's nit shampoo. Louise McIntosh, head of the Refinery's barbers' division works her wonders and 20 minutes later, the beginnings of a Metrosexual man emerges.

Cost: haircut, £55; back wax, £36.

Paul's verdict: "Absolutely blown away!"

The tailor: T M Lewin, 106 Jermyn Street, SW1

Paul's grubby T-shirt was thrown out with the rubbish while he was busy being fitted for a smart pair of dark trousers. These were teamed with a signature Metrosexual garment, a salmon-pink shirt. Cuff links and tie finished the new image.

Cost: trousers, £30; shirt, £30; tie, £23.50; cuff links, £30.

Paul's verdict: "I truly feel like a new man. It's not just the clothes, I felt different as soon as I stepped into the barber's. It's like taking your bike to a good repair shop. I know that my mates will laugh - being a man was always supposed to be lowmaintenance - but if time and money allows I'd love to go back and book a facial and a massage right away. I've definitely decided to keep on with the waxing because it genuinely feels much cooler and smoother."

Total cost: £231

And the partner's verdict ...

"When Paul came home the children and I were so shocked we couldn't speak. I kissed goodbye to Grizzly Adams this morning and have now got this much youngerlooking, smooth-skinned stranger in the house.

"I love how clean-cut he looks, I never thought I'd see him looking so good in a shirt and tie - I've begged him to keep it up."