Man makeup – a cosmetic phenomenon

What do British comedian Russell Brand, American Idol runner-up and heart-throb Adam Lambert, and rocker Pete Wentz have in common? They are just a few of Hollywood’s tantalizing performers who have adopted the use of a new metro-sexual trend: that of Guyliner and Manscara.

Yes ladies, you heard it right: eye make-up is no longer for your pretty peepers only. Yet it’s not only the Hollywood movers and shakers that are using this man-makeup to make a statement; more and more everyday guy’s guys are stepping out of their masculine comfort zone and exploring what this new phenomenon has to offer.

This is great news for you ladies who have, in endless attempts, begged your boyfriend to let you have some fun and allow you to give him a make-over. Now, you may just find him actually wanting you to put your makeup on him, but within reason of course – you don’t want your guy coming out looking like a drag queen – or do you? Yikes!

Special Effects

Guyliner and Manscara give guys the same effects that typical eyeliner and mascara give women, yet with a more subtle outcome– it makes the eyes pop (not literally), as the bluest of blues, brownest of browns, and all of the eye colors in between are made more vibrant. Yet for the gents, the eye makeup gives them the added allure of making them look mysterious, sexy, and even a little dangerous all at the same time.

Taxi Man – not what you think

Superdrug.com, the UK’s second-largest beauty and health retailer, was the first to stock and offer makeup designed just for men. With their launch of Taxi Man brand cosmetics in 2008, the company has taken the typical use of makeup that in the past has been solely used by women and by some men – drag queens, actors, and those secure in their sexuality – and have made it available to the machismos who want to go beyond the scope of social norms and explore the use of an item that has for centuries been prevalently meant for, made for, and used by women.

Metro-sexual Evolution

With the evolution of the metro-sexual, more and more men have not only become comfortable with their sexuality, but they have also become more appearance-conscious. Young and mature men alike can be found walking down the street, in fine dining establishments, and even at work, looking like they just jumped off the pages of GQ magazine – a look that most, if not all females welcome. And with this appearance-conscious evolution, it is only a matter of time that men will begin adding makeup to their list of grooming products.

Progressive trend pushing the boundaries

However, as progressive as this new trend is in terms of going beyond typical social norms and gender role ideals, it may not be suitable or appropriate for all men; there will always be those traditionalists that will never leave the comfort of their strictly male and masculine identity behind- and that’s okay. Guyliner and Manscara is just another one of the 21^st century’s inventive ideas that for some will be a fun way to push the envelope, but for others, a test that will press the boundaries of conventional norms as well as the role of gender and what it means to be strictly male and strictly female. Either way, if you are, or know a guy who is willing to step out of the box and have some fun, then Guyliner or Manscara can help you take that first step. You never know, you may just like what you see.