By Anastasia Burton
Men using makeup and doing makeup tutorials on different social media platforms is no longer seen as a taboo, and is slowly but surely becoming accepted as ‘normal’ in today’s world. Our views are changing and it’s not out of the ordinary to see makeup as a unisex. The beauty industry is changing, becoming more inclusive, something once seen as a women’s industry is opening its arms to the opposite gender.
Male beauty influencers such as Jeffree Star, Manny MUA, James Charles, Wayne Goss, and PatrickStarrr among many others, are producing makeup tutorials which can be for both men and women, making their experience with makeup more diverse.
In South Korea, male idols wear makeup to freshen up their skin and look presentable for stage and everyday life activities, and it would be perfectly normal for them to do so. However, in the past, men wearing makeup would raise quite a few eyebrows and sometimes even lead to verbal abuse. It is a great relief that social media has made an impact by exposing people to the fact that makeup is not just for women, men can enjoy it too.
There are now many world – famous brands such as Chanel, Tom Ford, and Clinique releasing “men’s” makeup. But do men require special makeup? Shouldn’t all makeup that is available for women also be used for men? Why do men have to pay higher prices and wait longer to receive makeup that would suit their skin tone and skin type?
When it comes to men’s makeup, the question of masculinity is often raised, does wearing cosmetics make you less masculine? Wearing makeup can be to hide blemishes and make one’s skin look more flawless, but it allows us to be creative in terms of our appearance, and why should creativity make a man less manly? Makeup is a form of art, so why should this art form be only for women to enjoy?
This is why it is wonderful to see that more male makeup gurus are popping up online and debunking the stereotype that only women can do makeup. Caring about one’s appearance is a normal way for people to feel attractive and has been proven to boost confidence. 
The beauty industry has always been targeted more towards females and now with the new wave of male makeup artists, they are beginning to become more inclusive with many brands using male models to promote their makeup.
So I’d like to address the gentlemen and encourage them to flaunt their skills and to not to be afraid of judgment, the industry is changing and it’s for the better.
