Men in make-up

A popular make-up brand recently appointed YouTube star Manny Gutierrez as its first male brand ambassador for a mascara. Manny thinks boys deserve just as much cosmetic recognition and has been posting make-up tutorials since a long time. Earlier, grooming, skin and hair care was largely associated with women, but times have changed. Men these days wear make-up on a daily basis and look just as good. So will more men become the face of make-up products?

Emraan is a make-up artist who has worked with the likes of Suresh Gopi, Allu Sirish, Regina Cassandra, Huma Qureshi and Sania Mirza among others. He not only gives makeovers to celebs, but wears make-up himself. “In recent times, I’ve noticed that there are more men coming to me for makeovers. At weddings, the grooms are more concerned about looking good than the brides! I teach them how to groom themselves for an occasion,” says Emraan.

Ajit Shukla, a well-known model from Hyderabad, says, “It’s important to maintain ourselves and look presentable, even when we’re not facing the camera. I apply make-up even when I go out with my friends and family. Applying a little concealer and base make-up is helpful. Maintaining our hair, moustache and beard is important too.” Andy Pillai, another model, adds, “Men are metrosexual these days. I’m glad that they are being chosen to promote make-up. I always ensure that I dress and look well. It’s important to me to look presentable when I go out. But do not opt for hardcore make-up. A little foundation, compact and rose powder should do. I always do it and there shouldn’t be a problem at all.”

What do women have to say about men wearing make-up? “If women can apply makeup, then men can do it too. I’m okay if the men I’m hanging out with wear make-up. I don’t see anything wrong with it. Though I haven’t seen many of my friends do it, I totally support men wanting to groom themselves,” says Alice Rosario, a model.