Makeup For Men

When we think about makeup application, we typically only think about makeup for women. However, makeup for men is increasing in popularity. Everyone has a camera built into their smartphone, and with the photo posting frenzy on various social media sites, men are starting to wonder what they can do to help them look their best.  While the idea of wearing makeup everyday may not appeal to all men, guys can still benefit from a little touch up for special events such as weddings, or anytime where they will likely be photographed.

My good friend Tomer stopped by the other day, and let me apply a very natural looking makeup to his face. The picture seen here, is post application. As you can see, he doesn't look like he is wearing any makeup, which is exactly the point.

Here are some of the products I used on him, and a few suggestions for brands to try:

Since men don't wear as much makeup as women, skin prep is really important. You want to make sure the skin is properly moisturized prior to application. If the skin is particularly oily, you may want to try a mattifying gel or primer.

Some primers to try are Nuance By Salma Hayek (pictured below), which is available at CVS Pharmacy. By smoothing this on after moisturizer, you can be sure your face will stay matte all day.

If your skin tends to be on the drier side, I recommend a moisturizing primer or serum such as this one from Hourglass Cosmetics:

Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum, is both a primer and skin care product in one. For those with combination skin, try mixing a traditional silicone based primer with the Hourglass Serum.

To begin Tomer's no-makeup look, I reached for a concealer which I applied to the under eye area to mask any darkness. He didn't have any blemishes, but if you do, simply use a concealer that matches your exact skin color, and apply with your finger or a small brush. Next, I chose a mineral powder foundation that matched his skin color.  Liquid foundation can be a bit tricky to work with for some, while mineral powder is light, easy to apply and creates a natural finish on the skin.

For a loose mineral powder, I recommend one from Christopher Drummond Beauty called Veludo Velvet Foundation. It feels light on the skin, like you aren't wearing anything at all. This is available for purchase on it's own, or in a kit that comes with a brush for easy application. You can purchase the kit here:


http://www.christopherdrummond.com/Face/Veludo-Velvet-Foundation.html


Christopher Drummond cosmetics are not only cruelty-free, but they are also vegan, including their amazing brushes.

If you prefer a drugstore version, try this pressed mineral powder from Nuance By Salma Hayek:

Regardless of which product you try, I recommend applying the mineral foundation with a flat topped brush. Simply pick up some of the product onto the brush and apply to the face in downward strokes. Because many men, like Tomer have facial hair, using a brush with downward strokes, will make sure the minerals don't get caked up or caught in the hairs.

Next, I applied a generous helping of bronzer along the high points of Tomer's face to give the look of a naturally sunkissed glow. For men, you want to make sure you are using a bronzer that is matte, meaning no shimmer or sparkle. This will give you the most natural looking finish.

Because Tomer has naturally dark lashes, I chose to use a black mascara on his top lashes only. The one that worked well for him is by Physician's Formula.  Pictured below is their Lash Boosting formula in Black .

If you have brown hair, you can try a brown mascara.  Clear mascara is a good option for all hair colors.  The best brown mascara I've found is by Ecco Bella (pictured below).

For lips, I chose a nude colored gloss, free from any sparkle or shimmer. This added a plumping effect to the lip, without looking too feminine.

Because Tomer tends to get oily throughout the day, I used an oil control setting spray, misted lightly over the entire face. 

For men, there are options available online, in high-end stores, or at your local pharmacy. If you are struggling to figure out which colors work best for you, ask a female friend or family member for help.

Another great option is Rocco Bruzzi Cosmenics http://www.roccobruzzi.com
This cosmetic line was created with men in mind.  Their products are cruelty-free and made in the U.S.A. They sell products individually or you can buy a set through their online store which carries everything a man needs for a full face. Shopping online is easy and their Cover Wheel takes the guess work out of choosing a concealer shade.

I want to give a special "thank you" to Tomer for stopping by and sharing this look with my readers! xoxo