Manly Man: Yes, Real Men Wear Makeup…on Photoshoots and in Real Life

I remember doing  bit for career day in my daughter's second grade class many years ago.  I'm was a working makeup artist at the time, so of course, I had to showcase my makeup talents.  But to second graders?  Yep, out came the special effects kit.  Needless to say I was the hit of career week.

I had kids running around with bullet holes in their forehead (that may not be so cool now however), black eyes in various states of freshness, huge gashes in their arms with edible peppermint "blood" oozing out, not to mention various assorted bruises. 

There was one little boy that was very, very sad though.  He was the only kid without "makeup."  His dad drilled into his head that men do not wear makeup.  I guess his dad never watched a movie.  Or the nightly news.  Or visited San Francisco.

At any rate, men do wear makeup, not only for photoshoots, film and television, but for everyday.  More than ever, men are learning that it is perfectly acceptable to hide dark circles with concealer, even their skin with tinted moisturizer and fake a tan with bronzer.  

My days of grooming men were brought fondly back to life when I had the opportunity to work with Bay Area artist Jae Raw.  Now, Jae is quite a handsome guy.  He doesn't NEED makeup, but of course, for his shoot, we wanted him looking flawless.  Girls like that.  

See more behind the scenes footage of Jae Raw's photoshoot here:

Here's what I used on Jae Raw for the shoot:

1.  Prep Skin

A mattifying primer insures that oil does not break through while filming and helps smooth skin's texture.

We used: Black Up Cosmetics Mattifying Primer $42

A makeup primer with incredibly velvety touch which matifies shiny zones and helps both oil control and pores reduction. It improves makeup hold and gives a soft and velvety finish.

2. Even Complexion

A tinted moisturizer gives just the right amount of coverage while not making the skin appear too made up.

We used: Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 in Light $30

3.  Set the Look

Use an oil absorbing powder keeps skin matte under lights.

We used: Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder in Light $29

A lightweight coverage that minimizes imperfections while keeping skin looking natural and smooth.

4.  Add Contour and Definition to Face

A sweet of bronzer around the perimeter of face, around hair line, and from temple to jawbone with a jumbo fan brush give structure to face and a bit of warmth to skin.

We used: Milani Baked Bronzer in Golden $7.99

This luminous bronzer features a melange infusion of colors baked on Italian terracotta tiles. Easy-to-use and streak-free formula for a perfect radiant glow.

5.  Pop the Eyelashes

Two coats of mascara.

We used: Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara in Black $19

A reparative and volumizing mascara containing Tarte's biggest beauty breakthrough, Amazonian clay.

6.  Makes Lips Shine

Men need a hint of shine on lips, not full on gloss. 

We used: Rosebud Salve $6