Many people, particularly males, believe that makeup is a tool of thievery that aims to deceive. At the same time, others maintain the opinion that makeup was invented by women to enhance their beauty and hide their natural flaws. However, some also believe that makeup is a tool of creation, not deception.

Since we were kids, we have had this mentality that makeup is a girl thing. However, our generation has proven that to be wrong, as guys now wear makeup as part of their daily routine. Guys wearing makeup make many curious and always ask: was makeup made for guys?

Yes, makeup was made for guys. Makeup has been around for thousands of years and was traditionally worn by both men and women. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that makeup came to be associated with femininity.

Did Men Originally Wear Makeup?

Was Makeup Originally Meant For Men?

The Egyptians were the first to invent cosmetics and used them exclusively by men. They would use a mixture of crushed minerals, plants, and animal fats to create an ointment that they rubbed into their faces as protection against the sun and mosquitoes.

The ointment would also help them look younger, which is why Cleopatra used it for her famous beauty treatments. It wasn’t until much later that women began using makeup too.

During the Roman Empire, Empress Livia had her face painted white with lead oxide after discovering that her husband Augustus had died from lead poisoning from using this type of makeup himself (he was buried with it). This led to women being banned from wearing it during funerals, but not before they had used it for cosmetic purposes.

Was Makeup Invented By a Man?

The use of makeup dates back thousands of years, and it wasn’t exclusively invented by one gender. Both men and women in various cultures, through has utilized makeup for a variety of reasons, including religious rituals, cultural traditions, and enhancing personal appearance.

In ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, both men and women used cosmetics such as kohl for the eyes, pigments for the face, and other substances for body decoration. The reasons for wearing makeup varied, including cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

Was Makeup Made For Guys?

Men’s Makeup Throughout History

Men’s makeup has been around forever, but it wasn’t always considered fashionable. From cavemen to Hollywood stars, here are some of the most popular trends throughout history.

1. Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, men would apply black eyeliner to their eyes in patterns similar to those of cats to denote wealth. They also used pigments on their cheeks and lip stains made from red ochre to showcase masculinity and social rank.

The Egyptians were also fond of cosmetics and grooming products, especially kohl eyeliner, which they used to decorate their eyes and ward off eye infections. Even pharaohs like Tutankhamun wore kohl liner around their eyes as part of their mummification rituals!

2. Ancient Korea

The Silla people believed that beautiful souls inhabited their stunning bodies, so they embraced makeup and jewelry for both genders. For example, Hwarang, an elite warrior group of male youth in Silla (one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea), wore extravagant amounts of accessories on a daily basis.

They used face powder and rouge for the added pigment to their cheeks and lips.

Was Makeup Made For Guys?

3. Victorian Era

The Victorian era was when makeup took off for men and women! Men would use kohl eyeliner around their eyes to make them look more mysterious and attractive.

4. Elizabethan England

In the Elizabethan era (1558-1603), men wore makeup to achieve pale skin and red cheeks. The look was achieved by mixing the white lead powder with water or vinegar and then using a brush to apply it to the face.

If that sounds dangerous, it is: Lead poisoning is a serious concern, especially for children who may put makeup on their faces and then lick their fingers (which they do).

During the Elizabethan Era, men wore powder all over their faces to whiten their skin as a sign of wealth, power, and intelligence. However, cosmetics during this period were highly dangerous due to lead in many products. In many cases, these cosmetics cause premature death.

Reasons Why Men Wear Makeup

1. Protection

Applying sunscreen is a great way to protect your skin from the sun and future wrinkles and helps prevent skin cancer. Makeup that includes SPF is one of the best ways for men to protect their skin from the sun.

2. To look good

Men, like women, want to look their best. They may not be interested in high-maintenance skincare routines or makeup application techniques, but the right products can help them look polished and put together.

3. Stand-out

The first reason men should wear makeup is that it can make them stand out. If you are not very confident, wearing makeup can help you gain confidence and allow you to be more comfortable in your skin.

It is also said that it makes your skin look more youthful and vibrant. This can be especially helpful for those who have dull skin or dark circles under their eyes.

4. Defining masculinity

It is true that men who wear makeup are often perceived as feminine, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The beauty industry has been growing at a rapid pace, and more and more men are becoming interested in cosmetics.

Is Makeup For Men Still in Style?

Nowadays, makeup for men is a thing. However, while their use may have declined in recent years, men’s cosmetics are nothing new. Men have been wearing makeup for most of recorded history, and interest in them has risen recently as attitudes on gender roles continue to shift.

The first mention of men wearing makeup dates back to ancient Egypt, where pharaohs would apply kohl (a dark powder made from lead sulfide) around their eyes to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays.

The Greeks later adopted this practice and called it melancholia (or blackening), which was used for protection against the sun as well as for aesthetic purposes.

Roman emperors also used kohl to protect their eyes from the harsh Roman sun. During medieval times in Europe, men wore white face paint called ceruse (which contained lead) to hide blemishes and wrinkles.

While this was considered acceptable at the time, women were forbidden from wearing it because it was believed that it could make their faces look pale and unhealthy.

Was Makeup Made For Guys?

Nowadays, The use of cosmetics by men is frowned upon. In fact, during medieval times, it was considered a crime for a man to wear cosmetics. Even laws prohibited men from applying any form of face paint or powder!

You may have heard about it on the news or seen it on the internet. It’s a trend growing in popularity among men and women alike. The idea of men wearing makeup seems strange to some people, but there are some excellent reasons for men to wear makeup.

Conclusion

If you are a guy and you want to wear makeup because you want to, then go for it. Wear makeup. Male beauty has been celebrated for centuries; there is nothing “unmanly” about it. So, if you’d like to, that’s awesome. And if not, it’s totally fine too; you do you! But make sure you’re doing what YOU really want to do.

Disclosure: This article, other beauty and fashion tips on SheBegan are contributed by experienced fashion professionals, beauty & cosmetics experts. Read our full research and editorial process here. Also, our posts may contain affiliate links, read our full affiliate disclosure
Author

Abimboye Femi is an experienced Beauty Expert. Over the years, he has developed an uncanny nose for sniffing out the perfect fragrance as well as an eye for best beatification practices. He brings to bear, his vast knowledge of research to help deliver rich contents centered on Beauty and Cosmetics.

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