Shahnaz Husain: Make-up for men

Shahnaz Husain: Make-up for men
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Shahnaz Husain: Make-up for men

Beauty care is no longer only a woman’s prerogative. Men also realize the importance of the appearance and that looking one’s best imparts self confidence, very necessary in today’s competitive career world.
Moreover, today there are many jobs in which the appearance counts. No wonder, skin care, facials, manicure, pedicure and yes, even make-up, have become very much a part of male grooming in recent times.
Skin care products for men, ranging from facial scrubs and packs, to nourishing creams and moisturizers, adorn the shelves of most cosmetic stores.
So, why should make-up be far behind? In fact, since male models started walking the ramp, make-up for men has steadily caught on. There is no reason why men should not take the help of foundations, concealers, or tinted moisturizers if they make one look and feel good, or help to cover up blemishes and highlight the good features?

Of course, there is an art to applying make-up, more so where men’s make-up is concerned. Needless to say, it should be so subtle that it is difficult to know that the look is the result of make-up! It is essential to keep to cosmetics with a matte (non-shiny) finish. Gloss, shine and frosted make-up are not for men.

But, first things first. Regular skin care is so important. So, exfoliate regularly with facial scrubs. Of course, scrubs should not be applied on pimples or sensitive skin. But, regular exfoliation helps to remove dead cells and brighten the skin. Tone the skin daily with a rose or mint based skin tonic.
In fact, you can put the toner in a spray bottle. Keep it in the fridge and tone with a fine mist of the toner. It is most refreshing and improves blood circulation to the skin surface. If the skin is dry, apply moisturizer and nourish the skin regularly. And, get a close shave before applying make-up.

Foundations or pressed powder help to achieve a smooth skin texture. In fact, foundations and concealers also help to cover blemishes, like pimples or dark patches. First, cleanse the skin and apply moisturizer if your skin is normal to dry, or apply an astringent lotion with cotton wool, if you have normal to oily skin.
Then, take very little concealer on a fine brush and apply it on the blemish or pimple mark. Blend outwards. The foundation for the face should be the same shade as your normal skin tone. A water-based foundation would be more suitable, as it is lighter. In fact, add a drop of water to it for a lighter coverage.
If you have a beard or moustache, avoid applying foundation on those areas. Or, you can leave out foundation totally and go for a tinted moisturizer with a matte effect. Or, you can try a bronzer to add a natural healthy glow on the face.

Pressed powder can also help, especially in humid weather and for oily skin. Leave out foundation and use the powder. It helps to reduce shine. It can be used on oily areas, like the forehead, nose and chin. Opt for a light matte powder in a beige tone. Avoid pinkish shades.

Stray hair from eyebrows can always be plucked to give them a better shape. To make the eyes look brighter, a hint of shadow can do the trick. A dark grey or dark brown shadow can be used to line the eyes, just below the lashes.
The aim should be to achieve a natural look. Or, you can use a black or brown eye pencil close to the lower lashes. The effect should be most natural and subtle. Blending helps.
One coat of mascara can also be used to make the eyes look darker and brighter. Comb out the lashes after applying mascara, so that the lashes don’t stick together.

Look for lip balm to make the lips look smoother. They also add a hint of shine and are ideal for winter care. A neutral colour or transparent lip gloss would be best.

Yes, with light and subtle make-up it is possible to tone down blemishes and spots, or make the skin colour tone look more even. So, why not?

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our organisation



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