Should men wear makeup?

Posted by
Chrissy Dolezal
May 27, 2007

Not only are men dabbling more with hair products and hair styles, more men are getting manicures and pedicures as well. Men have also started breaking into cosmetics and beginning to wear makeup on a regular basis.

I am not just referring to celebrities who obviously wear cosmetics for movies roles and television appearances. I am also not referring to transvestites or drag queens. I’m talking about men at your office, your neighbor, and the cute guy at the produce section of the grocery store, maybe even your husband or boyfriend.

Men today have found that we women do not wear makeup because we like it, but because we need it! Cosmetics helps us to have beautiful, perfect skin. It hides our acne problems, scars, and dark circles. It is makeup that helps our eyes appear larger (or smaller if you have prominent eyes), lashes longer, plus gives us those perfect pouty lips. Makeup not only makes us look and feel more beautiful, it also has its benefits. Foundation helps protect our skin from the environment.

Recently I found an article on my Google “How To of the Day” page, instructing men on makeup application. I find it interesting that more men, everyday guys, are out there taking this step to better their appearance. The funny thing to me about this topic is many years ago, I think in high school in fact, I talked about how men should wear makeup. Everyone thought I was crazy. But I firmly believed that if I wear foundation, for the main reason to protect my skin, then why don’t men? Doesn’t the environment damage men’s skin just like it damages mine? Shouldn’t men be just as concerned as I am about my skin?

Finally, there are some men who have become concerned about their skin. They want to hide those nasty pimples and not so perfect scars and glam their appearance up a bit towards perfection. So what do you think? Should men wear makeup or should they leave it for the women in their lives?

Dec 8, 2008 1:48 PM

Guest :

i'm a 33 year old (not gay) man who wears makeup to cover up scars above my eye from accident also use eyebrow pen lightly to cover the brow hair loss that occurred. I also go over some of my acne. I sympathize with all who have to do this 30-1hr regime a day to feel comfortable about their appearance. My family says that they can't even see the scars without makeup... but I know they are there and that is a bad way of viewing myself. I continue to use "camoflauge" in public but not when at home. P.S. i'm single and maybe thats because of my self image. Good Luck to all of us and you all are accepted by me! Have a Merry Christmas!

Apr 9, 2009 3:50 PM

Guest :

just like to say i'm a 23 yo male, straight (not that it matters) and i wear foundation everyday. I have some scaring from acne and i still get the occasional pimple. I also have some uneven skin tones in my face. I am a teacher and i feel like i need to have foundation on everyday, since i don't want to look like i have uneven acne skin that my students have. It has become such a habit i barely notice it anymore. I am single though, and worry that if i get into a long term relationship where a girl moves in with me she just wouldn't understand

Apr 13, 2009 2:44 PM

Guest :

I think make-up for males is absolutely ridiculous! I can understand using concealer (to cover up zits) when you're going through puberty but when you're 18+?! We should be teaching people about proper hygiene not how to cover up the errors. Besides, having character is a much more powerful tool than most people think, especially if you can be confident with them. Putting make-up on is a very ostentatious thing to do, even if you think it's not, it sub consciously is.

Jun 5, 2009 10:54 AM

Guest :

I am a 54yo man and I've used women's skin care products for years. I've dropped several hundred buck's many times at the Clinique counter. The bottom line: the products work! No bull: most people swear I am at least ten years younger than I am! I've been hearing that forever! Now, I admit I was uncomfortable the first time I stood at the Clinique counter asking about different products. But you know, all of the women that have waited on me over the years have always been very helpful and respectful. I don't remember ever getting strange looks or an attitude. Hey, they work on commission! Yet I've never been sold something that I didn't need. And let me tell you guys, I've met some very beautiful sales women over the years and they all told me it was wonderful AND very modern that I cared about taking care of my skin/looks! I think I first started using skin care products when I was twenty years old. So we're talking 34 years here! I should of bought stock in Estee' Lauder years ago! (Clinique is one of their product lines). I've used foundation and anti-shine powder many times. A touch of conceler for those dark circles. Let me make this clear::: I have never wanted to be a woman or to look "Made-up". I just want to look healthy, handsome and most important: HAPPY! Bottom line: It doesn't matter what other people think! Every day I see men who would benefit from some basic skin care. You know, skin that looks like Leather! Just be true to yourself and do what works for you! Just because you don't take care of your skin doesn't mean there is something "Wrong" with someone who does. It's got nothing to do with one's sexuality. I'm proud of how great my skin looks! To each their own! Take care! (of your skin!). Ken in Denver.

Jun 5, 2009 3:08 PM

Guest :

I'm A 100% Straight man, Born In EastSide Compton California, in Santana Blocc., and I wear foundation on my cheek, I have a tiny area if pinkish skin from a razor cut that hasn't gone away and I only use a tiny tap of it and that's it, stays on for days If I don't rub it, that's all, I have a small foundation box like 2 inches big that would last me five years, that's how little I use, I've had it for about 3 years and it still looks brand new and un-used foundation, there's absolutely no problem for men to wear concealer or foundation for a little touch up spot on our skin, but if it's makeup lipstick, eyeliner and stuff then that is a major problem

Jun 26, 2009 4:00 AM

Guest :

Maybe this is taking it a bit more to the extreme than what you had in mind.

We have a macho schema, so to speak. I'm a white male, and even though I know that many people feel men shouldn't wear makeup, the type of woman I like to attract, is the type of girl that is into the style I put off.

To me, women are beautiful. Guys are ugly, and honestly, I think we should all look beautiful. I wear eyeliner, mascara, and concealer and I try to look as cute as possible. Why? Because I want to be cute.

I want to be taken care of. I'm not gay. I couldn't stand sleeping with a man, not at all. I'm not "high maintenance." It may take me a half hour to an hour to get ready, but that's because I'm delicate. I think preserving your beauty says alot about a person. I don't like people who don't take care of themselves.

I like to get doll'd up, dress nice, cut my own hair, do it up in my own inventive way, and I like to act submissive. I don't talk like a girl, I don't walk like a girl, I don't think like a girl. I just want to look like a girl.

I envy beauty. And I want to be beautiful. I want to snuggle closely with an adorable girl and do cute things. And I think that when people think I'm a cute girl, I find it incredibly flattering.

I don't know how to explain it. I wish that other than our gender, obviously, that men and women were the same. I like soft delicate features.

I'm straight, and that's an easy answer as to why I don't like men, but... There's something different that I can't explain quite well enough. I don't want a sex change or anything, I like being a "man," but tough guys don't impress me. The type of women that like tough guys don't interest me.

I would never sleep with any of them, but I find Asian guys that look like women to be incredibly beautiful. They're men, but they look like cute girls, I love it. I think everyone should like beautiful.

For instance: http://t0shiya.joueb.com/images/alice%20nine%20groupe_t.jpg

Sep 26, 2009 3:16 PM

Guest :

I'm a 16-year-old girl, and honestly, I don't think it matters one way or another. What someone else does or does not put on their face is none of my business, in my opinion, but I don't see the problem with guys wearing makeup!

I wear makeup to help cover scars on my face, control shine, and to help me feel more confident. While I don't think makeup can or should ever replace charisma, it helps ME out. If there are guys who are self-conscious about their face (pores, scars, uneven tones, etc.), I don't see why there would be a problem with them wearing it. Wearing makeup doesn't make me a girly-girl... why would it make a guy gay or weird or whatever?

I just don't see what the big problem is. If guys style their hair or dress nicely or have good grooming habits, that's good, but them wanting to do a little something to help themselves feel better or more confident is weird? Sure, women might be the "fairer sex," but that's no excuse to get on a guy's case if he wants to look nice and maybe give himself a confidence boost.

I honestly don't think it's my place to tell someone what they should or shouldn't do regarding something as trivial as makeup.