Patrick Bateman is monstrous. He’s the white collar, white privilege, Ivy League, misogynist, serial killer from Bret Easton Ellis’ book, American Psycho. It was written a few years after the 1987 Wall Street crash and the greed-is-good decade that birthed the ‘yuppie’: affluent young professionals who splash their cash on status-chasing cars, clothes and watches. You know the type: always having to be seen in the right places, with the right people.
The 27 year old has a healthy bank balance and leaves a hefty body count. His homicidal hatred of his rival, Paul Allen, is driven by trivialities, such as Allen’s thicker ‘off-white’ business card. Patrick Bateman is vile, he’s disturbed, he commits unspeakable crimes.
Patrick Bateman deserves to be cancelled, even the author killed him off in a later novel. So, why are we still interested? Part of the fascination with Bateman comes from Christian Bale’s note perfect performance of the wealthy murderer in the star studded film adaptation. With more than a tinge of black humour, and omitting the most depraved scene from the book, Bale’s Bateman is a marginal notch above the irredeemable print character.
Bateman is an empty vessel and lacks taste, so he borrows his identity from aspirational magazines; the honed Men’s Health physique, the luxury Italian suits from the pages of GQ and Esquire, the Manhattan apartment peppered with the Architectural Digest approved items, the Mies van der Rohe chairs, the Paolo Piva coffee table and the MoMA art work. His Instagram feed, if he had one, would be full of the shiny things – whisper it – that we secretly want too.
While Bateman represents the dark side of our consumer culture, in Bale we got to see the modern man’s grooming routine represented on the big screen; from his spa mani-pedi, to his peel off face mask and his ‘salon’ tan (Paul Allen had a home tanning bed, naturally). What’s mainstream now was lot more exotic back then. And for that, Patrick Bateman gave men everywhere the permission for unapologetic self-betterment, if we just gloss over the awkward, narcissistic sociopath part.
“I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine.” Patrick Bateman
If he were a real person, and in many ways, Patrick Bateman does exist, he’d be the first to brag about his lunch-hour face lift, his dental implants, his vitamin drips, his hardcore detox retreat and his Coolsculpted abs.
Patrick Bateman’s 10-Step Grooming Routine Updated
Forget the Koreans, Bateman was already boasting a 10-step skin care routine back in the early 1990s:
“In the morning if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1,000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.
“Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask, which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturiser, then an anti-ageing eye balm followed by a final moisturising protective lotion.”
He neatly regurgitates the wisdom of a lifetime of grooming articles, so, we know the joke is partly on us. Yet it still begs the question, and yes, we will ask the question: just what would Patrick Bateman use on his face and body today?
Step 1.
“In the morning if my face is a little puffy, I’ll put on an ice pack”
In the film, Patrick Bateman takes a wraparound eye pack straight from the steel refrigerator in his industrial kitchen – the height of Y2K cool. Today, he’d be all over the YA-MAN Medi Lift Eye – a rejuvenating eye mask from Japan that uses electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to shock the slack eye area into firmer touch.
Keeping certain products in the fridge is still a worthwhile hack, so leave at least one SOS under-eye treatment to chill, and feel the benefit on those sluggish, hungover mornings.
Step 2.
“After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion”
Bateman’s commitment to maintaining a clear complexion would be best served by Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner. He would appreciate the gentle exfoliating niacinamide in this alcohol-free solution, which minimises enlarged pores and balances oily areas, while adding lightweight hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid.
Step 3.
Saunders & Long Moisturising Body Wash
“In the shower I use a water-activated gel cleanser”
In this scene, he reaches for a discontinued Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme shower gel. These days, he’d use Saunders & Long Moisturising Body Wash, because it has a scent composed by a French perfumer and a glycerin-based formula that helps keep the skin soft.
Step 4.
“Then a honey almond body scrub”
In the shower stall, he grabs a L’Occitane bottle, but today he’d prefer Aesop’s Redemption Body Scrub. A salve for his troubled conscience? Hardly. He’s beyond redemption, but not beyond a good buff with Aesop’s finest exfoliator. Thick, paste-style scrubs often work better when applied to dry skin first, so put this on just before getting into the shower and then massage to rinse off.
Step 5.
“On the face an exfoliating gel scrub”
He’s so vain, he probably thinks this product is about him. Patricks FS1 Volcanic Sand and Crushed Diamond Face Scrub contains powdered diamonds, which has obvious appeal for those who like the finer things in life. It works to expertly refine the skin texture and reduce ingrown hairs, while multivitamins, AHA and anti-ageing peptides rejuvenate the skin cells and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Step 6.
111Skin Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask
“Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask”
Sheet masks have always had a whiff of Michael Myers from the Halloween slasher franchise about them. As a chainsaw wielding maniac who’s all over the latest skin care trends, Bateman would surely appreciate these slightly creepy but convenient face treats that perk up a flagging visage.
The Black Diamond Lifting and Firming Treatment Mask from 111Skin is as dark as his soul. ‘Herb-mint’ sounds positively basic, whereas this mask contains advanced active ingredients. Divided into three sections, the upper mask is formulated with glycopeptides to target frown lines, the lower mask is full of collagen to plump up the cheeks, lips and chin and the neck mask uses a biomimetic peptide to help firm and sculpt the jowl area.
Step 7.
“I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol”
He’s absolutely right about alcohol drying out the skin, so he would get along well with Acqua Di Parma’s Refreshing After Shave Emulsion: a lightweight, fresh feeling, glycerin-based hydrator to help repair the skin after shaving.
Step 8.
“Then moisturiser”
Here we get a glimpse of Bateman’s well-stocked bathroom cabinet, which includes plenty of recognisable high-end grooming brands. So he’s sure to love Tom Ford’s collection. The designer’s Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer will complement Bateman’s pore-perfecting goals while keeping his skin matte during those ‘stressful’ moments.
Step 9.
“Then anti-ageing eye balm”
Patrick Bateman is a details man. You have to be when you’re planning to kill someone and get away with it. And for that, we just know he’d get along with one of those fiddly applicators that come with some luxury eye creams. The anti-ageing Eye Balm Intense from La Mer comes with a cooling silver-tipped stick (that should be stored in fridge) to increase micro-circulation, smooth out fine lines, puffiness and signs of fatigue.
Step 10.
“Followed by a final moisturising protective lotion”
In the smoggy Manhattan air, his skin would benefit from a smart formula that offers an SPF or environmental filters. The Clima-Adaptive Anti-Pollution Moisturiser for Men from Beyl contains Vitamin C and micro-algae to screen out the blue light that’s emitted from all the screens he’d now be using.
Extra Steps
We can’t help thinking his daily personal care routine wouldn’t end there. Imagine the shampoos, the styling products, the tools, the supplements. He’d probably use a tinted BB cream or a light foundation to even out any redness, followed by a light touch bronzer. He’d tidy his brows with a gel comb or pencil, dab on a bit of under eye concealer, maybe add a slick of lip balm.
Patrick Bateman is so good at looking his best, worst self, that we may even shamelessly revisit his grooming routine in the future.
FAQs
What is Patrick Bateman's skin care routine? ›
“In the shower I use first a water-activated gel cleanser, then a honey-almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.” Lastly is using an exfoliating gel scrub for the face and one of the best products for men out there is this deep cleansing scrub from Shiseido MEN.
What does Patrick Bateman use for his hair? ›I've used Nioxin shampoo for years. I also use the Clinique Men's shave gel, it's the least irritating. I've had really sensitive skin for ten to twelve years now. I use KMS molding paste in my hair.
What is the 6 step skin care routine? ›- STEP 1: CLEANSER. Properly cleansing your skin is an essential step, because it removes impurities from makeup and your environment. ...
- STEP 2: TONER. ...
- STEP 3: EYES. ...
- STEP 4: SERUMS. ...
- STEP 5: MOISTURIZER. ...
- STEP 6: SUNSCREEN.
The slickback is without a doubt the most iconic Wall Street haircut ever worn. Patrick Bateman was the first to unleash it on an unsuspecting world, and Jordan Belfort brought it to a new generation of aspiring bankers and financiers. This isn't the generic businessman combover, or even a fratty flow.
What mental illness does Patrick Bateman? ›The main character, Patrick Bateman, is glamorously portrayed as a wealthy, standoffish killer suspected to have antisocial personality disorder and possibly dissociative identity disorder, while all of the other characters are depicted as “normal” friends and coworkers.
What is Patrick Bateman's type? ›Which personality type is Patrick Bateman? Patrick Bateman is an unhealthy ENTJ personality type. He is determined to get what he wants and will step over anyone who gets in his way. Healthy ENTJs aim to achieve their goals in an ethical way, but for unhealthy ENTJs, morals go out of the window.
Why does Patrick Bateman put ice on his face? ›The reason behind the ice pack according to Bateman is to alleviate swelling from sleep irritation which causes one's face to become "puffy." Further analysis would suggest that the ice pack also represents a mask for Bateman between his external representation of Wall Street normality and his true internal feelings.
What does Patrick Bateman use in the shower? ›“In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub.” Type in 'water activated gel cleanser' on Google and you will see the results are predominantly quotes from the movie, or guides breaking down his skincare regime (much like this post).
What is the 20 20 20 morning routine? ›What is the 20/20/20 rule? The 20/20/20 formula says you must wake up early in the morning and divide your given one hour in the following order; 20 minutes move, 20 minutes reflect and 20 minutes grow.
What is the 5am club morning routine? ›When my coworkers told me about the “5 a.m. club” a few years ago, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. The idea was this: You wake up an hour before your spouse and your kids and use that distraction-free time to focus on your personal well-being, with a mix of exercise, meditation and reading or learning.
What is the most successful morning routine? ›
- Sweat. ...
- Practice gratitude. ...
- Rise with the sun (or even before it) ...
- Read a book. ...
- Journal. ...
- Drink water. ...
- Eat a real breakfast. ...
- Make a to-do list. Planning out the day and making a list of what needs to be done can help prepare your mind for the day ahead.
- Stay out of the sun. While it's true that the sun isn't the only factor in the overall appearance of your skin, it does play a huge role. ...
- Drink plenty of water. ...
- Get some ZZZs. ...
- Rub it in. ...
- Eat a diet rich in plants. ...
- Get moving. ...
- Establish a good routine. ...
- Limit alcohol and caffeine.
- STEP 1: CLEANSER. ...
- STEP 2: TONER. ...
- STEP 3: ANTIOXIDANT SERUM. ...
- STEP 4: EYE CREAM. ...
- STEP 5: SPOT TREATMENT. ...
- STEP 6: MOISTURIZER. ...
- Step 7: SUNSCREEN.
It makes it look like it was all in his head, and as far as I'm concerned, it's not." The bottom line: while it's clear some things that happen in the film are in Bateman's head (like the Feed Me a Stray Cat scene), the murders actually happened.
What is a Deathhawk haircut? ›deathhawk (plural deathhawks) A mohawk hairstyle with voluminous teased or backcombed hair, common in the deathrock subculture.
What is a jail haircut? ›Haircuts in jail are supposed to be a “one-guard” buzz cut against the grain, but I'll ask the guys how they want theirs done.
Is Dorsia real? ›American Psycho protagonist could never get was a reservation at fictional restaurant Dorsia.
Is Dorsia from American Psycho a real place? ›It includes the Harvard and Yale Clubs and the Four Seasons but also long gone hotspots of yore like Nell's, Texarkana, Tunnel, Arcadia, and Arizona 206. Don't look for Dorsia, though. That restaurant was fictional.
What serial killer is Patrick Bateman based on? ›...
Patrick Bateman | |
---|---|
Occupation | Investment banker |
Family | Sean Bateman (brother) |
Nationality | American |
Patrick Bateman [IQ: 125]
He seems to use serial killing as a form of self-improvement and while he is one of the more unstable entries on this list (see his reaction to a colleague's superior business card for example) he is also one of the more successful and intelligent.
What is Patrick Bateman's Zodiac? ›
Patrick Bateman is a Libra. of course he is!
Is Bateman a schizophrenic? ›The proper DSM-IV classification for Patrick Bateman is antisocial personality disorder, but that doesn't sound as punchy as American Psycho, hence the chosen title.
What is Patrick Bateman's diet? ›In order to tackle the role of the muscular serial killer Patrick Bateman, Bale went on an all-lean protein diet. “It was my most restrictive diet [for a film],” the actor told Train Magazine during a 2017 retrospective interview. “There were no cheat meals.
What gel did Patrick Bateman use? ›Bateman knew that using a gel mask like Ursa Major Bright & Easy 3-Minute Flash Mask would reduce inflammation, razor burn, and shaving bumps by dissolving dead skin cells and improving your complexion.
What suit brand does Patrick Bateman wear? ›Bateman was a fan of pinstripe Valentino suits, but this navy blue wool option from Armani Collezioni is superb- featuring notched lapels, a button fastening, a broad welt chest pocket, flap pockets, long sleeves and button cuffs.
What is a water activated gel? ›“In the shower, I use a water-activated gel cleanser. “ It's an innovative cleanser that's activated by water to remove impurities whilst providing skin with an essential boost of hydration. It will make your skin feel refreshed, clean, and supple.
What is Patrick Bateman's favorite? ›American Psycho (2000) - J&B straight and a Corona
Wall Street psycho killer Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) orders this interesting duo of scotch-whiskey and Mexican beer in the film. Recipe: This one's easy. J&B scotch whiskey, no ice.
PATRICK BATEMAN says:
Then I squeeze Rembrandt onto a faux-tortoiseshell toothbrush and start brushing my teeth (too hungover to floss properly, but maybe I flossed before bed last night) and rinse with Listerine.”
In the television edit, there are these changes: Though the hooker scene is kept in, the threesome sex scene part is cut off, and after starting "Sussudio" it cuts to them with the light off. When Christian Bale gets up, his butt is not shown. Christian Bale's butt is also removed from "Morning Routine" scene.
What kind of hairstyle suits me? ›If you have curly hair, avoid short haircut for this face shape. Long straight hair looks good on this type of face shape. If you have sleek, straight hair and want to experiment with a short haircut, then a defined pixie cut with long, side-swept bangs that fall on your cheekbones is the one you should opt for.
How do guys get their hair back without gel? ›
Comb Back Hair—The most important step is to comb your hair straight back, allowing the natural part to do its thing. But not just with any comb. To avoid the greasy look, use a fine-toothed comb. Where many men go wrong is using a wide-toothed comb, resulting in deep tramlines.
What skin routine do dermatologists recommend? ›Cleanser: Wash the face in the morning and evening with a gentle face wash. Avoid using alcohol- or oil-based cleansers. Medication: Apply any topical treatments after cleansing. Moisturizer: Use a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Who is the owner of Bad Habit skincare? ›Bad Habit is owned by FORMA Brands.
What was Marilyn Monroe's skin care routine? ›Her evening skincare routine began with an oil cleanse, using the Erno Laszlo Active Phelityl Oil, then she applied the Active Phelityl Cream and washed it off. She finished with the Controlling Lotion. All of these products are still available today.
What is sandwich method skin care? ›"I typically refer to sandwiching in regards to trapping water in the skin and reducing transepidermal water loss," Palermino explains. "By putting lighter, more watery products on damp skin and then layering something thicker, that water gets trapped for longer, allowing for more hydrated and happy skin."
What is the number 1 dermatologist recommended brand? ›The brand: You don't need to spend tons of money for effective products that derms love; Neutrogena is touted as the number one dermatologist-recommend skincare product and you can find it at the drugstore.
What are the 3 most important skin care products? ›- Step 1: Cleanser. Choosing a cleanser that's specifically formulated for the face (rather than the body) is the first essential step in a basic skincare routine. ...
- Step 2: Moisturizer. ...
- Step 3: Sunscreen. ...
- 3 (or 5) simple steps to beautiful skin.
- Step 1: Start With A Cleanser. First, rinse skin with lukewarm water. ...
- Step 2: Apply Moisturizer. ...
- Step 3: Apply Sunscreen In The Morning. ...
- Step 4: Apply A Retinoid Or Serum In The Evening. ...
- Step 5: Make An Annual In-Office Plan.
yes, HABIT is vegan + cruelty free. the only animals we test on are humans as part of the FDA's requirements for testing over-the-counter sunscreen products.
Is bad Habit beauty clean? ›Our formulas meet rigorous clean standards. We formulate without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehydes, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, and more.
Is bad Habit a franchise? ›
Bad Habit, Eat Great Burgers! This is a great newer franchise place that has a very college atmosphere, play fun tunes, and even better, has GREAT FOOD!
Why did Marilyn Monroe Use Vaseline? ›To get her signature on-camera glow, Monroe would apply thick layers of Vaseline or white Nivea Creme under her makeup, while dermatologist Erno Laszlo kept her well stocked in his Phormula 3-9—a reparative botanical balm, specially created to heal a scar of hers—and Active Phelityl Cream, an all-purpose moisturizer.
Which soap did Marilyn Monroe use? ›Marilyn Monroe's bespoke skin-care routine from March 1959. Starting from the top, Marilyn's morning skin routine began with cleansing using Erno Lazlo Active Phelityl Soap and warm water.
Is Vaseline good for skin care? ›To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to: Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids.
Which serum is used as sandwich method? ›Dr Sethi likes to use a face mist first, and then apply a hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA or glycerin serum to pull in all the goodness. Some like to spritz a second layer on top too, and then continue by applying a moisturiser and then a balm or oil. This works well for dry limbs too.
What is the 7 skin methods? ›But what is it exactly? In short, the '7 skin method' is the process of layering three to seven layers of toner or an essence-and-toner-in-one onto your skin immediately after cleansing. As for the name, Koreans call toning and essence products "skin," thus, the seven-skin method was born.
What is slugging skincare? ›“Skin slugging is simply the application of an occlusive to act as a barrier to seal moisture into the skin. Dermatologists have been recommending for years as the last step in your skin care routine to treat dry skin, as we know that skin slugging helps prevent water loss,” says Cheung.