The most popular men’s make-up

Johnny Depp, Pete Wentz, Russell Brand and Adam Lambert are all known for wearing heavy make-up on the red carpet. But don’t be fooled. These are far from the only Hollywood men who get a little help in the looks department before appearing in public. You may not be able to spot it, but virtually all big stars pay a visit to the make-up artist before hitting the red carpet or going on stage. Even Chris Hemsworth, 2014’s Sexiest Man Alive, admits that he spends at least half an hour in the make-up chair ‘to get his sexy on’ before going on set or attending an event. And it is not just male celebrities who wear make-up. A recent survey showed that more than 10% of men in Western Europe and the US wear make-up on a regular basis.

So what kind of make-up are we talking about here? In general, most men use make-up to hide flaws and to subtly enhance their features. They don’t want to look made up. They simply want to look more groomed and polished. Today we are taking a look at five of the most popular male make-up products and we are giving you some tips on how to use them.

1. Mascara & eyeliner

A hint of mascara – or ‘manscara’ if you will – can really make a world of difference, especially for men with light eyelashes. Tinting your lashes just a little bit with a touch of brown or black mascara makes them stand out more and opens up your eyes, giving you a more intense look. And don’t worry, as long as you stick to just one coat of mascara and use a light hand no one will be able to tell that you are wearing make-up.

If you want to put even more emphasis on your eyes you can apply a little eyeliner – also known as ‘guyliner’ – to fill in the gaps between your lashes. Just make sure to keep it subtle and opt for an eyeliner in pencil form as liquid liner will look too harsh and obvious. Unless of course the emo look is what you are going for.

2. Concealer

Small flaws like blemishes, acne and skin discolorations can be easily camouflaged with the help of some concealer. There is no need to cover your whole face in foundation to get more even-looking skin. Just dabbing on a little concealer where you need it already does the trick and makes your skin look a million times better.

3. Mattifying powder

Men produce more sebum than women which is why they generally have oilier skin. Applying a light dusting of mattifying powder absorbs the excess oil, takes away some of the shine and gives your skin a flattering soft-focus finish. As long as you opt for a translucent powder and use a light hand no one will notice a thing and people will simply credit your amazing skin to good genes.

4. Lip balm

Male or female, dry chapped lips are never a good look. Regularly applying a hydrating lip balm helps to soothe and soften parched lips. For the most natural effect go with a clear non-glossy formula or blot away excess shine with a tissue.

5. Nail polish

Clean well-kept nails immediately give off a more put-together and groomed impression, so keep your nails in tip top shape by regularly clipping them and make sure to always clean the dirt from under them. If you want to go the extra mile you can make your nails look even better with some clear nail polish. There are plenty of clear matte formulas out there that smooth and even out your nails without adding any shine or shimmer. No one will be able to tell that you have nail polish on, pinky swear.

With these five tips you are all set to groom yourself into the best possible version of yourself. Good luck, handsome!

Melissa Van Roosbroeck is a style and fashion writer.

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