It’s 2024; makeup is no longer just for girls.
For far too long, makeup has been confined by gender norms and stereotypes. Today, men are starting to embrace it as a tool for self-expression and confidence.
Whether it’s a touch of concealer to banish dark circles or a strategic swipe of highlighter to enhance your natural features, men’s makeup is no longer a niche trend, but a movement redefining masculinity and shattering stereotypes.
If you’re new to the world of makeup, you might find it intimidating to start with women’s cosmetics. We bring to you five brands that specialise in men’s makeup, offering products that cater specifically to men’s skin!
NuNorm
Everything changed for Jeff, the founder of NuNorm, when he watched his children play with makeup. What started out as the playful exploration of makeup turned into them proudly wearing it as adults.
Witnessing his son’s confidence and self-expression through makeup encouraged him to challenge traditional views of masculinity. This became the driving force behind NuNorm’s mission to redefine masculinity and empower men through makeup.
NuNorm prioritises inclusivity and wants to break down the stereotype that makeup is for women only. They believe that men’s skin is different from women’s and require products specifically catered to them.
Recognising the gap in the market for men’s makeup, NuNorm offers products formulated specifically for men’s skin concerns, like patchy facial hair. Ultimately, NuNorm aims to create a world where wearing makeup is the “norm” for all genders.
Their core collection consists of five makeup essentials—all you need to get you started on your makeup journey!
NuNorm products are available at nunorm.com. At the moment, they do not ship outside of the US. To shop their products, you can utilise a parcel-forwarding service like vPost.
War Paint
Some flowers bloom in abundance, others bloom in adversity. Danny’s story falls into the latter.
Danny was bullied for his appearance as a child, which led to his obsessing about his appearance from a young age. It was only at the age of 15, when he borrowed his sister’s concealer, that he realised the magic of makeup.
He dove into the world of makeup only to find that there weren’t any brands that spoke to him. He decided to create his own and well, the rest is history.
War Paint is not just women’s makeup repurposed in masculine packaging; their products are made specifically for men’s skin.
Their goal is to empower men, creating a safe space for them to explore the world of makeup. They also pride themselves in their sleek and modern packaging that will look just as good on your vanity as they do on your skin.
If you’re a beginner to all things makeup, fret not as War Paint offers various kits with products curated for different functions and occasions.
From a Starter Kit to ease you into the world of makeup, to a Night Out Kit that provides you with everything you need to look your best on the dance floor. Just grab your kit and you’ll get everything you need!
War Paint products are available at warpaintformen.com.
Shakeup
As men who wear makeup themselves, twin brothers Shane Carnell-Xu and Jake Xu knew exactly what was missing in the market for men’s cosmetics.
Considering the differences between men’s and women’s skin, they founded Shakeup, a skincare and makeup brand that offers vegan and cruelty-free solutions to beauty woes.
Shakeup hopes to empower men to take charge of their self-care with solution-driven products designed specifically for men’s skin.
Their innovative “skincare first” approach combines the best of both worlds: immediate results with their makeup products and long-term skin health benefits from using their skincare products.
Since their launch in 2019, Shakeup has taken the men’s beauty world by storm. They are now stocked in over 1,300 stores globally, quickly becoming a leader in men’s skincare and makeup.
Shakeup products are available at shakeupcosmetics.com. At the moment, they do not ship to Singapore. To shop their products, you can utilise a parcel-forwarding service like vPost.
Gentlehomme
Luxury meets quality with this Los Angeles-based beauty brand, Gentlehomme, founded by licensed esthetician Salomé Chemla.
Salomé uses her expertise to formulate products with ingredients that address men’s unique skin needs and preferences. They offer a range of skincare and makeup products so you can look and feel your best.
With products like tinted sunscreen, lip balm, and clear brow gel, their makeup products lean towards a more natural and lightweight coverage, ideal for fans of the no-makeup makeup look!
Gentlehomme prioritises quality and cruelty-free practices, creating effective products housed in modern and sleek packaging.
Their mission goes beyond offering top-notch products; they aim to redefine traditional notions of beauty by encouraging men to embrace a self-care routine.
Gentlehomme products are available at gentlehomme.com.
Boy de Chanel
From iconic fragrances to quality makeup, Chanel’s unwavering standard has made them a beauty powerhouse.
While there is no doubt about their place in the industry, their Boy de Chanel line only further propels them closer to the top as a brand that evolves with the times.
Boy de Chanel shatters the stereotype that makeup is just for women. Recognising that men’s skin has different needs, they offer a curated selection of products specifically formulated for men.
Their products are designed to enhance natural features and promote a healthy glow, placing more emphasis on subtle improvements, not dramatic transformations.
Their lightweight formula evens skin tone without feeling too heavy on the skin. They also keep things simple with multi-use products with all-in-one functions, like their 3-in-1 eye pencil and SPF-infused gel moisturiser.
Chanel’s Boy de Chanel line is available at chanel.com.
