According to the findings, perception poses a significant moderating effect on the
relationship between the independent variables (self-image, social expectation and
celebrity endorsement) and the dependent variable (consumption of male grooming
products), at p < 0.05 level. The hierarchical test indicates that the percentage of
variance as shown by the variables has increased when perception is included as the
moderator for this model and it is significant at p < 0.05. This shows that perception
moderates the effect of self-image, social expectation and celebrity endorsement on
men’s consumption of male grooming products. Thus, the fourth hypothesis (H4) is
supported.
From figure 2, the findings suggest that the level of consumption for metrosexuals with
low and high level of perception will tend to increase as the level of self image is
increasing. This may be because the low and high perception level metrosexuals tend
to pay more attention to the latest fashion trend (Wienke, 1998). In addition, they are
more likely to make purchases of male grooming products from retailers who offer the
latest styles. Hence, their level of consumption is increasing more rapidly. However,
metrosexuals who posses moderate level of perception; they are easier to be satisfied,
as they are less concern about the styles and fashion trends. As a result, their level of
consumption increases at a constant when their level of self image increases
From figure 3, the findings suggest that the level of customer consumption for
metrosexuals with low level of perception will increase as the level of celebrity
endorsement increases but it increases at a declining rate after exposure to moderate
level of celebrity endorsement. This may be because as the presence of celebrity is
greater, low perception metrosexuals are more comfortable with the product and
therefore increases the consumption of male grooming products. However, as massive
exposure to the presence of celebrity will lead to inability to fully trust in the celebrity
and therefore lead to increasing consumption in a declining rate. As for the moderate
level of perception, the consumption behavior was not much affected by the level of
celebrity endorsement. This may be due to the constant exposure to the presence of
celebrity endorsement and thus the effect was not very desirable. Lastly, for the high
level of perception, the consumption increases as the level of celebrity increases. They
are more able to trust and get comfortable to the product as the presence of celebrity Cheng, Ooi & Ting
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increases. Nonetheless, the level of trust and comfort-ability is higher as the presence
of celebrity increases from moderate to high
From figure 4, the findings suggest that the level of consumption for metrosexuals with
low, moderate and high level of perception will tend to diminish even if the level of social
expectation is increasing. This may be because all three level of perception had already
achieved their desirable grooming level when the level of social expectation reaches
moderate. The metrosexuals had consumed enough variety of grooming products to
improve on any level of deficiency. Therefore, as the level of social expectation
continues to increase, they are only consuming products to better fine line their basic
grooming. Therefore there is a diminishing consumption of grooming products after the
moderate level of social expectation
This study gives an insight that perception is an important element that will influence the
consumption behaviors of the metrosexuals. Based on the study, marketers will
understand the importance of identifying the different levels of perception among the
consumers and their consumption behavior will also change accordingly. Hence,
marketers should include the perception of metrosexuals in developing the marketing
strategies to meet the needs of the consumers. In addition, this study stresses the
important of self-image, celebrity endorsement and social expectation on the
consumption behavior of metrosexuals’ toward male grooming products. Therefore, the
marketers should deliver the values that are important to the consumers in their product
attributes to encourage the consumption of metrosexuals toward male grooming
products.