How Men's Makeup Can Help You Look Healthy and Confident
Photo: Stryx
Earlier this week, CVS announced that it would begin stocking the men’s cosmetics line, Stryx. I like to approach men’s makeup as “complexion enhancement” — and I’m excited that it’s finally going mainstream, especially among cisgender and straight men.
It’s important to look at the history books and remember that men have been doing makeup long before women and that cosmetics have only become gendered as a result of commercialization in the mid-1800s. Before there were male celebrity makeup artists and influencers, Egyptian pharaohs used kohl eyeliner to show their wealth and status.
I personally do wear makeup when I need to take headshots or attend events where I want to look and feel my best. I’ve noticed that while men are still reluctant to non-invasive treatments such as fillers, most are open to skincare and makeup, a.k.a. complexion enhancement. Keep reading below to learn more about the benefits of men’s makeup as well as my favorite products and how to use them.
I’m all about men looking natural — and wearing makeup isn’t always about maximum coverage. For most men who identify as straight and “masculine” just want to look healthy. You’d be surprised at how much a tiny bit of under-eye concealer makes a difference!
Photo: Kei Moreno
Why should men wear makeup?
To even out the skin: The first men to come to mind are entertainers — they’re used to wearing makeup while filming or for photoshoots in professional settings. But movie stars aren’t the only men who can benefit from complexion enhancement. Anyone who wants to smoothen out their skin tone or cover up blemishes without “looking like they’re wearing makeup” can do so with the right products.
For an extra boost in confidence: For events or every day settings when you want to freshen up your skin and make it look even and healthy, makeup can give you that extra boost of confidence. Especially for young men, and men in my age group who are 40 and over, it really can be a great confidence booster. A little concealer under the eye can work wonders by making us look (and feel) well-rested. Of course, nothing can replace a good night’s sleep and a healthy diet — but a little touch-up certainly can.
To control oily skin: Men’s skin is naturally oilier than women’s skin, so even just a blot of powder can take down any shine for men. Light pressed powder is different than foundation powder and can tone down a little bit of the oil.
To look healthy: Bronzers are great for men to enhance their skin tone and add warmth to the face. It’s not necessarily about looking contoured or youthful — bronzer can add more dimension and make you look healthy.
My Favorite Skincare & Makeup Products for Men
First of all, if you don’t want to look like you want to wear makeup, this is where you really need to work on your skincare game. To start, I recommend that you bump up on your hydrating serums. And when you do apply makeup, just focus on the areas that need coverage. I use a little bit of tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or a foundation stick to spot-treat and even out any redness.
If you’re ready to dip your toes into the water, here are my favorite makeup and skincare products for men:
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 ($50): This is my favorite go-to product. Bobbi has covered the gamut when it comes to color range for people of all ethnicities. What I love about the foundation it basically it glides on really easy and it’s travel-friendly. You can basically put it on the skin and it dries down like a powder. It gives a nice hydrated look that’s natural. If your skin is oily, it has a nice powdered finish that complements every skin type.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($47): This is a great tinted moisturizer because it’s lightweight. It also comes in an oil-free version.
Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Moisturizing Tint ($40): A great option for luxury lovers.
Mac Studio Face and Body Foundation ($31): This gives a lightweight coverage and looks like skin.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30): This lasts for up to 16 hours and can do everything from color-correcting to highlighting to contouring.
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick ($88): This is one of my favorite foundation sticks for spot touch-ups.
Kiehl’s Skin Tone & Correcting Beautifying BB Cream SPF 50 ($40): In addition to having great sun protection, this cream helps even out the skin tone and texture. It’s great for rough and dull skin.
A good silicone-based primer: This will help blur out large pores and gives a nice velvety soft texture which controls the oil.
Lab Series: This skincare brand was designed for men and includes products to treat razor burn, beards, shine, and other common issues.
Ceylon Skincare: Formulated for men of color, this skincare brand makes it easy to keep skin looking and feeling healthy without stripping it of natural oils.
Best Men’s Makeup Brands
Mënaji: This U.S.-based brand focuses on natural ingredients and offers a full range of makeup and skincare products, such as face and body scrubs, cleansing masks, tinted moisturizer with SPF 30, eye gel, anti-shine powder, and much more.
Stryx: Another great line of men’s skincare and makeup that will soon be available at CVS stores in the U.S. They currently offer a concealer, gel cleanser, and foundation.
War Paint: Made by and for men, this U.K.-based brand launched fairly recently and has a great range of products, including tinted moisturizers, foundations, bronzers, anti-shine powder, concealer, and more.
Looking for an LA makeup artist, expert facialist, or brow groomer? I offer a range of skincare and beauty services — check them out here.