They’re changing the face of makeup
Concealer, bronzer, self-tanner, eyeliner — it sounds like a checklist of items in a woman’s makeup bag.
But they could be items in, yes, a man’s makeup bag.
The past decade saw the “metrosexual” phenomenon, with men paying more attention to shopping, dressing and grooming. Now, established companies known for makeup and skin-care products for women are catering to the other gender with products to push men’s style boundaries.
Clinique has nonstreak bronzer and concealer for men. Jean Paul Gaultier, which is mostly a fashion house of haute couture, has a two-in-one stick of concealer and eyeliner, also known as “guyliner.”
Pete Wentz, a member of the musical group Fall Out Boy and husband to singer Ashlee Simpson, has a line of guyliners called “WentzPentz.”
The new products have some people proclaiming a new wave in men’s grooming. “Globally, the men’s grooming market continues to grow as many men are striving to take better care of their skin. The male consumer is becoming more informed about the health of his skin and (how) to slow the affects of aging,” says Megan Marsanico-Byrne, assistant manager of Clinique Global Communications.
“Conventional men’s grooming lines usually offer a one-size-fits-all approach … but Clinique Skin Supplies for Men products, just like the women’s line, address your particular needs, allowing you the same opportunity as women to obtain that healthy, great-looking skin,” she says.
Patty Bunch, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked on actors Halle Berry, Billy Crystal, Tony Danza and Jennifer Aniston, says she knows men who dye their lashes or wear waterproof mascara to give new dimension to their lashes.
“Men are finding that they can use skin-care products that protect and enhance their skin. They can take away shine and cover unwanted imperfections that keeps skin looking natural, masculine and not ‘done up,’ ” Bunch says.
She believes it takes only a few people to start a trend, and cosmetics companies have begun trying it out at the right time. Men can sample makeup by using under-eye products, such as anti-aging serums and concealers, for important business meetings and social events.
“The truth of the matter is, women are taking advantage of all the anti-aging makeup and are looking fabulous, so the men better catch up. A little extra help never hurts,” she says.
And then there are those who are embarrassed by the direction cosmetics has taken.
Tyler Thoreson, executive editor of men.style.com, the online home of Details and GQ magazines, says he’s noticed “man makeup” but doesn’t believe it’ll ever become popular. In fact, he laughs at the suggestion.
“I think it’s completely idiotic. It gives true men’s fashion and men’s style a bad name. All of that should accentuate your masculinity, not undermine it,” Thoreson says.
He acknowledges a demand for more grooming options for men: Almost $5 billion was spent in 2006 on male grooming products, a 42 percent increase from 2001, says Euromonitor, a London marketing and research firm.
But Thoreson says there probably are very few guys who would wear concealer or bronzer and stick with it.
“If one of my friends showed up to my house wearing a Thom Browne suit, I’d say, ‘Cool, pushing some boundaries,’ ” Thoreson says.
“But if he showed up wearing some bronzer, I’d say, ‘Hey, you got something on your face.’ “
Tags: free makeup, clinique makeup, Egyptian makeup, makeup techniques, dramatic eye makeup, makeup artist
