MAKE-UP MEN

Moisturisers are passé. The new breed of man is also concealed, powdered, bronzed, and lined.
TEXT BY SHERRY OH

“Who says men can’t wear makeup?” said my young hairdresser when I commented on his kohl-rimmed eyes. True, it’s not exactly set in stone somewhere that, “Thou shalt not wear mascara, son of Adam!” My hairdresser pointed out that men want bigger eyes too, so what’s wrong with lining his eyes to make them look bigger? I admit eyeliner does add a certain amount of intensity to his glar... I mean stare.

Looking around town it seems the trend is catching on. Outside major shopping malls and in clubs, you’ll catch a glimpse of this new breed of metromen. These days, men’s toiletry bags houses more than just a shaving kit, deodorant and toothpaste. He’s packing concealer, face powder, brow gel and eyeliner too.

But why are men suddenly interested in aesthetics? Not suddenly—if gym buffs are any indication, men have always been interested in how they appear. Before, taking an active interest in one’s appearance was solely a feminine pursuit. But having conquered those abs and Hugo Boss suits, there seems to be nowhere else to go but up above the neck. Paving the way for this trend are the male talents of tinseltown—it’s no secret that actors, musicians and various performing male artists wear makeup when in the limelight. What most people don’t know is that they tend to wear a little even when they’re not in front of cameras. Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp for example, have been known to apply a dab of concealer here and there, for off-screen appearances.

According to Wendy Lewis, a beauty consultant and author of The Beauty Battle: An Insider’s Guide to Wrinkle Rescue and Cosmetic Perfection from Head to Toe, men are just as concerned about camouflaging their flaws and putting their best face forward. In the recent years, avant-garde metro-men have been relying on an increasing number of “made for men” products such as face wash, toner, moisturisers, sun block and lip balm. “Makeup is sort of the final frontier.” says Lewis. “The idea of a little light dusting of powder is no longer an extreme measure.”