Dealing with skin care and beauty in general has been female dominated for pretty much all of time. Part of that goes back to the “olden days” or “good old days” as many a millennial has heard their older relatives refer to the past, where women ascribed to a certain image and lifestyle because that is what society told them they were supposed to do. Though this statement still rings true to this day, many women and men have begun pushing the boundaries and bringing what was once a taboo or alternative thought into the mainstream and making it the new norm.
It always seems that in media that beauty, hair and skin products are marketed specifically for women - each product with a specific use - while men are left with one cream you can use to wash and condition your hair, wash your body, and as a face wash/shaving cream. This one and done mentality of male grooming has always been made fun of in the media because men are traditionally “lower maintenance” than women. But the fact of the matter is that men can benefit from a regular skin care routine in the same way that women can. And especially in the advent of social media, brands are starting to take notice.
What is changing?
Well as previously stated, social media has done wonders for the skincare/beauty community in recent years. Whether through helping to promote certain brands or techniques, or to cultivate an online community of users to share tips and tricks, social media is a keystone in what has helped the beauty/skincare industry grow to the behemoth it is today.
From beauty influencers such as Jeffree Starr, James Charles, and a whole spectrum of men, women, teens, children, and anyone who can get their hands on a makeup brush, to the brands pushing beauty for all standards, this is becoming the new norm. Skin care and even by extension makeup is no longer just for women.
Why Change is Good
Now some people may have mixed opinions about whether or not this is a positive change for the beauty community, and frankly to those people, I say inclusivity can only be celebrated. Skin care for women has always been important because feeling good about how you feel is not just a matter of vanity but a matter of confidence. Having clear, radiant skin gives you that little extra something to push you forward and give you the confidence to face the day.
But women alone do not suffer from skin imperfections. Men do too! So why are they so often left out? Well left out no more.
From ads by Covergirl, Clean and Clear, Proactive, Fenty Beauty, and so many more, skin care and makeup are no longer being marketed just to women. But this isn’t just good for the industry, this is also good for the consumers. Having a larger pool of consumers with varying needs, wants, and preferences causes brands to create and formulate new products and techniques to best serve the consumers at large. Fenty Beauty, however, should at least in my mind be considered the front runner for much of this change. Especially when it was revealed that at the Oscars, Daniel Kaluuya - star of “Get Out” and “Black Panther” - was wearing the Pro Filter foundation. Starting from her launch of a record number of foundation shades as a first launch and the diversity in shades, pigmented colors, and general products, Rihanna’s makeup brand has become the gold standard for every other makeup brand out there.
This also gives opportunity to smaller brands to boost up their brand through social media advertising and niche marketing to find specific groups of consumers looking for a specific kind of products.
The Three Step Starter Pack
Now for any men reading this article, it may be difficult to figure out where to start, but in reality, it is actually quite simple. If you aren't ready to dive headfirst into this world, the best place to start is with an easy, simple skincare routine. Once you have these three steps down, you can swap in or shift other products in or out of the routine once you figure out what is best for your skin.
Step One: A Cleanser to wake up the face.
Step Two: A Mask tailored to your specific skincare concerns.
Step Three: Moisturizer.
Final Thoughts
This is 2018. The makeup, skincare, and general beauty industries have grown so much in the past ten years alone, at a rate that no one could have perceived. From promoting skin care for all, to letting guys know that using a little concealer or highlighter never hurt anyone and if you want to feel like “you’re best self” then why shouldn’t you be allowed to use makeup?
Every argument I have heard for why men shouldn’t wear makeup is often pedantic and ridiculous and these same arguments can be applied to reasons women shouldn’t wear makeup - by extension - so all I have to say is this: makeup should not define you as a person and being controlled by products to gain that perfect skin you are looking for is also unhealthy; however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to do what you can to give yourself that little extra bit of confidence to be able to be your best and most authentic self.
