By Lisa Snedeker - Staff writer

Real men get pedicures.

Just ask Brian Shutts, who works at Black and Decker Inc.

''In the job I'm in, I'm on my feet 12 hours a day in uncomfortable boots, so this is definitely nice," he said as his feet soaked in a hot-water Jacuzzi foot bath in preparation for his first pedicure.

Shutts has his wife to thank for the special treatment. She answered the Observer's call for men who deserved a Valentine's Day makeover.

The two are newlyweds, married just over a year ago. They moved to Stedman recently from New York.

JoyAne Lango-Shutts nominated her husband because ''he is so insecure about his clothes and body, it makes him sound and feel much older. Brian has a balding spot in which he always wears his hat," she wrote.

"Brian also has a wardrobe that consists of old T-shirts and worn jeans. This doesn't bother me, but he deserves better than this," she wrote. ''I believe that having a makeover would boost his self-esteem and put his spirts sky high again ... I would do anything for my husband (especially if it puts a smile on his face)."

Well, it worked. After the pampering, he couldn't stop smiling.

Noelyne Ltd.'s Aveda salon and day spa on Boone Trail provided the pedicure, as well as a manicure, facial and hair treatments.

Shutts said he felt so much better about himself. ''I'm feeling extremely pampered," Shutts said. ''I feel loved."

Cosmetologists added highlights and cut and styled Shutts' hair. They trimmed his goatee and darkened it up. They gave him a facial, a manicure and a pedicure -- all firsts for Shutts. Finally, they sent him away with a bag full of free samples, including shampoo, conditioner, and hand and foot repair.

All in all, Noelyne's donated about $200 in services.

Shutts said the facial and accompanying massage were his favorites.

''It's very relaxing," he said. ''She focused a lot of time massaging your face."

Despite his initial nervousness, when asked whether one should get a facial or a pedicure, Shutts recommended getting both.

''All your worries and your stress, it's just gone," he said.

After his spa treatment, Shutts was taken to Hecht's department store in Cross Creek Mall, where he received tips from Tracy Belmarsh, the Clinique counter manager.

Clinique offers skin-care products specifically for men. The products are hypoallergenic and fragrance free, Belmarsh said.

Men should use a three-step skin-care regimen that includes cleansing, clarifying and moisturizing, Belmarsh said.

''Men think it's foo-foo, but it's not," she said.

Clinique also has eye gel, shaving gel with aloe, and two colognes specifically for men.

Finally, Shutts was dressed up in dressy casual clothes by Claiborne Men for his after photo. The suggested retail prices for the off-white sweater was $67; the slacks, $59.50; and the suede jacket, $185. Those prices do not reflect Hecht's sale prices.

''Maybe he won't hide his hair with a hat anymore," said Shutts' mother-in-law, Diane Pomeroy.

***

Jim Glover of Dunn wanted to give his wife an early Valentine's Day gift, surprising her by getting a makeover.

Glover, who is 32, is a student at Campbell University. He is taking night classes in business, with a focus on accounting.
By day, he works as a temp for the Harnett County Board of Elections.

''I was in retail about 10 years," he said. ''Now I'm helping out with one-stop voting to keep the integrity of the election. The job market's been a little tight; that's why I decided to go back to school."

He and his wife, Leigh, have been married for 12 years. They have two daughters, Taylor, who is 11, and Cierra, who is 4.
Glover wrote: ''I am 32 years old and happily married for 12 years, so you can see I may be in a small rut regarding fashionable clothes and hair styles that could catch my wife's eye. My wife has mentioned many times that she would love to see what the 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' team could do for me."

Glover went on to say that he would like to try to surprise or at least shock his wife.

''I'm trying to do something different, something fresh," he said. ''It's easy to get into a rut. You find yourself doing the same thing every day."

As part of his spa experience and makeover, Glover received a stress treatment, which is a massage that is given prior to a haircut. It includes shoulders, neck, arms and head.

''This is a first time experience for me, but it may not be the last," he said.

''I think guys are more into it now. Everyone wants to look good these days, or the best they can."

Glover, who usually has a friend cut and style his hair, wanted a fresh look.

Glover said he didn't care what they did to his hair as long as it was something he could fix himself that didn't take a long time to style in the mornings.

''He's got great hair," stylist Rachel Childress said.

In addition to a new hairstyle, stress treatment, eyebrow waxing, pedicure and manicure, Glover also received a rosemary mint body wrap. Cost for the whole treatment? About $165. All services were donated by Noelyne Ltd.
Glover said he would ''definitely" recommend the pedicure and body wrap.

''It was a unique surprise," he said.

After the full-body exfoliating scrub, Glover was wrapped in a cocoon of warm towels while his body detoxified. ''It's like a wrap, but not as confining," said Noelyne Langston, co-owner and operator of Noelyne Ltd.

''That was one of the most relaxing things I've ever had done," Glover said. "It's hard to put into words. It was great. It's definitely one of those life experiences that you need to indulge in.

''I can see why you ladies like to come and spend the day at the spa. You're oblivious to time.
''I would suggest this to anyone," he said. ''It's been absolutely fabulous."

The salon gave Glover a gift bag with rosemary shampoo, conditioner, a body cleanser, and hand-and foot-relief cream.

Then Glover headed off to Hecht's for a free facial from Clarins Paris. Anyone can call the Clarins counter to schedule a free facial, said Susan Anderson, a Clarins consultant.

''We do about nine or 10 a day," she said.

Jannifer McCollum, a Clarins skin consultant, told Glover that her company has a spa background.

McCollum had Glover lay on a table behind a screen while she gave him a facial and a skin-care lesson using Clarins products for men.

''I'm going to teach you some wonderful techniques," she said. ''It's all geared toward your skin type."

McCollum asked Glover what he would like to change about his face, and he said he would like to diminish his laugh lines and crow's feet.

McCollum suggested Glover start with a face wash, then use a skin toner after getting out of the shower and shaving and always top it off with a moisturizer.

Clarins has shaving, moisturizing, hair and body-care products for men, McCollum said.

Finally, Glover's makeover was completed with a new ensemble from Tommy Hilfiger. The casual look included a blue T-shirt, $35; blue, white and lime-green striped cotton casual shirt, $69.50; and blue jeans, $49.50.

''My wife loved the haircut," Glover said after he got home. ''And she couldn't get over how good I smelled. In fact, we went out to dinner that night and had a wonderful evening.

''I think (the spa experience) is something we would enjoy doing in the future, just me and her."

***

Following are several grooming tips for men from the experts:

When shaving, always use downward strokes with the blade; never go against the grain. Also, always use tepid or cool water to help the hair follicles stand up for a closer shave, says Noelyne Langston, co-owner of Noelyne Ltd. day spa and salon in Fayetteville.

A tint can add fullness to a beard or goatee.

Clinique and Clarins both carry products for men at major department stores. Like women, men should use a three-step skin-care regimen that includes cleansing, clarifying and moisturizing, representatives of both cosmetic lines say.

Men need to use moisturizers. ''Our skin dries out more than women," says Ron Capps, co-owner of Noelyne Ltd.