While it might seem like the metrosexual phenomenon is a modern development, in fact American men have been obsessively grooming the hairs on their heads and their faces ever since the birth of our nation.

Join us for a look back on the ways the well-groomed from different eras manscaped themselves from the neck up, in an unending attempt to use their various follicles to get the attention of the ladies.

Powdered wigs, early 18th century
In our nation's infancy, the sophisticated gentleman was clean-shaven and wore a powdered wig. But the ladies really swooned over badass rebels like George Washington, who stuck with what God gave him and just powdered his own wig-like hair.

Next, get ready for the 1820s, when things get real mancy-fancy.


Curled hair and long sideburns, 1820–1850s
As America slowly shed its colonial customs, naturally colored wavy hair with prominent sideburns came into vogue. However, this look was often obscured by the ridiculously tall top hats men of the period wore. Mr. Davy Crockett (pictured) wore no top hat.

Crazy, crazy sideburns, 1860s
In the 1860s, sideburns just got plum out of control. This facial-follicle insanity paved the way for a couple decades of full-on beardedness, represented by a long run of wholly faced presidents.

Fantastically waxed mustaches, 1880–1920
Between 1880 and 1920 men wore their hair short and sported waxed mustaches -- which became more and more curved and pointed as the decades went on. Here's famed lawman Wyatt Earp, showing you how it was done.

Pompadour, 1950s
The 1950s were the first decade in which teenagers played a role in shaping culture and fashion. And with the young set's increasing influence came a complicated hairstyle called the pompadour. Former talk show host Conan O'Brien and emotive vegetarian Morrissey still sport the dated head warmer.

Afro, 1960s–1980s
In the '60s, the afro was a way for black Americans to embrace their heritage and celebrate their hard-fought freedoms. Then white folks started to get in on the action. The Afro's horrible disco-and-cocaine-fueled transformation in the 1970s is probably why the hairstyle is now mostly a punch line.

The mustache returns, 1980s
The second half of the 20th century were bad times for the mustache, as the lip sweater was stained by its association with murderous world leaders and sexual deviants. That all ended in 1980, when one Magnum P.I. strutted in from the beaches of Hawaii sporting a 'stache every lady wanted to take a ride on. As you can see, Selleck can still make the mustache work.

Mullet, 1980s
As the '80s rolled on, it become abundantly clear that if you wanted to make it as a resourceful action hero, a hockey star or just a guy who always knows where the party's at, you'd better be sporting a mullet. The mullet did make a brief 21st-century comeback, but only for the purpose of irony.

Sideburns, 1990s
Any fellow who wanted to spend quality time with a lady between 1990 and 1995 knew the path to girl success was paved with perfectly coiffed pair of sideburns, just like 90210 stars Luke Perry and Jason Priestly used to wear.

TBD, 2000s
It's hard to put a finger on what exactly the dominant hair/facial-hair combo of our time is -- although the stylish man in 2010 who doesn't have to be clean shaven for work tends to sport shorter hair and the beginnings of a beard. Ideally the handsome man wants to shoot for somewhere between a Tom Cruise and a Galifianakis.
Asylum's Dating/Love category is brought to you by Gillette, who wants to know:
How Much Do You Groom?
1-2 hours a day -- they call me metrosexual. Cleanliness is next to everything.3204 (6.6%)
1 hour a day -- manscaping is a necessity, I get a 5 o'clock shadow at noon.8328 (17.2%)
30 min. a day -- my biggest concern is remembering deodorant.31081 (64.3%)
Bath time is on Saturday. I'm lucky if I don't clear a room.5741 (11.9%)