Student discusses changing image of men wearing makeup

James Charles, the newest face of Covergirl, is also the first male face of the company, pioneering men’s makeup and laying down a path for other men to follow. In this day and age, men wearing makeup is practically unheard of and frowned upon, but because of Charles, that is soon to change.

Back in ancient Egypt both men and women wore tons and tons of makeup and it wasn’t a big deal. Over time that shifted into just women wearing makeup and a disdain for men who wear it. It’s a shame how a fun hobby and a different form of art is targeted to only one gender and the other is ridiculed if they partake in it, which they shouldn’t be.

Maybelline has recently joined Covergirl in having new male faces for their companies. Manny Gutierrez is the new face of Maybelline, especially in mascara and eyes. With two major cosmetic companies including male models, people’s opinions on men wearing makeup are changing and huge steps are being made for the next generation.

The shift in men wearing makeup symbolizes more than the eye can see; the younger generations seem to be more accepting of people and their hobbies. One big difference from older to younger generations is that typically older people are set in their ways and want others to follow their same ideas. Older generations try to enforce the gender roles that were taught, whereas younger generations want to live their lives how they want and let others do the same, not enforcing as many social norms like gender roles. It’s good to see a change where people can live their lives how they want and not be judged, like wearing makeup, not wearing makeup, and by dressing however someone wants to.