Beauty has No Gender

Misconceptions about Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics:

LET’S BREAK THE STIGMA!!

Media has shown significant changes in the general perception on who can use cosmetics without being speculated upon.

There has been a recent rise in male influencers who promote skincare and create tutorials on how men can utilize these products to take care of themselves.

Skincare is masculine, too!

Misconceptions about Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics:

LET’S BREAK THE STIGMA!!

The use of cosmetics is not solely to “feminize” one’s appearance. Rather, it can be used to emphasize one’s features or improve overall appearance.

Let’s normalize men wearing makeup!

Misconceptions about Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics:

LET’S BREAK THE STIGMA!!

The notion that cosmetics are for females only is outdated. Nowadays, everyone is free to use cosmetics and experiment with their appearances, regardless of gender.

Men who wear makeup are not less maculine than those who do not!

Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics today:

Using cosmetics is not solely for women use only. The traditional notion that men cannot use these because it is not manly is already outdated. Just because men are considered masculine does not mean that they are forbidden for caring about their appearance by using cosmetics.

In culturally conservative countries such as China, many heterosexual adolescent males are prevented from purchasing cosmetic products due to fear of being labeled as a homosexual.

A study shows that even though stereotyping heavily influenced their purchasing behavior, it did so in a positive way. It guided them to acknowledge their purchase desires and to explore new values in their conservative society.
(Lau, 2018. Uncovering Chinese Stereotypes and Their Influence on Adolescent Male Makeup Purchasing Behavior)

Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics today:

The increase in men’s self-presentation techniques and practices and the birth of a new identity, Metrosexuality.

In more recent years, makeup tutorials by some male Youtube video creators, are examples of men being attracted to using beauty products does not automatically make them gay, or dictates their sexual preference.

(Hall, Gough, & Seymour-Smith, 2012. I’m METRO, NOT Gay!”: A Discursive Analysis of Men’s Accounts of Makeup Use on YouTube)

Gender, Beauty & Cosmetics today:

Gender Polarization emphasizes that men and women are stereotyped to only have specific emotions, needs, and social positions according to their gender.

The cosmetics industry is specifically geared for women only and when men wear it, it is immediately assumed that they are gay or less manly.

Nowadays, men are more open to using cosmetics and other grooming products to comply with the increasing emphasis put onto one’s physical appearance. with the recent presence of online tutorials by male influencers, men have been more willing and accepting to the option of improving one’s appearance through the use of cosmetics. There is now an interest in males supporting and advising each other in terms of recommended products and effects, creating a community of practice, a safe, positive space where men can share tips about cosmetic use (Gough, Hall & Seymour-Smith, 2014. Straight Guys Do Wear Make-Up: Contemporary Masculinities and Investment in Appearance. Debating Modern Masculinities).