“For guys, sometimes a little eyeliner applied in the outer corner of the eye is a subtle way to
define the eye shape,” says Jamie Coombes. Not just for the bold maximalist (though we love how Yungblud applies his) a little eyeliner accentuates the lash line and is great for enhancing any eye colour. But if you do want to join the ranks of David Bowie, Jared Leto, Prince, and Mick Jagger, we’ve got you covered with the best technique…
Take your eyeliner pencil of choice and doodle on the back of your hand, which will warm up the pigment for an easy glide on the eyes. Lift your eyelid and deposit colour in the waterline, as well as under your eyelashes for more intensity. For a rockstar smoky look, pick one with a blending tip (like Sephora Collection’s Waterproof Eyeliner) and smudge away.
The best lip balms for men
No grooming routine is complete without lip balm. More skincare than makeup, every man should have a stick of the stuff in his arsenal to combat chapped lips, keep them kissable, and add a layer of moisturising protection in colder months. Not keen on a shiny pout? Kiehl’s and Chanel offer matte-finish chapsticks designed specifically with men in mind. And if you don’t mind a healthy dew, consider Soho Skin’s balm, which is formulated with peptides to smooth lips and prevent signs of ageing.
Tools
There are three things to consider when it comes to wearing makeup: putting it on, keeping it on, and taking it off. Fingers do a fine job of the former, but for an application that’s mess and streak-free, you’ll want to invest in an effective brush.
For multipurpose use, the IT Cosmetics Complexion Perfection comes out on top: it’s dual-ended, with a smaller precision end primed for buffing concealer under the eyes. Boasting larger brushes suited to applying BB creams, smaller brushes for spot concealing, and fluffy brushes for finishing with powder, Morphe’s face brush collection is complete with all the tools a makeup beginner could possibly need. But if you’re a one-and-done kind of guy, go for the Saie multi-use buffer and blender, which makes easy work of blending both powders and BB creams.
To lock makeup in place, you’ll want to set it. Misted over the face, fixing sprays form a shield-like barrier that reduces any smudging. For oily skin prone to shine, you can choose to bolster the longevity of your makeup with a translucent powder – just take a fluffy brush and press a light coat on top of any products you’ve applied.
To take it all off at the day’s end, there are few tools you should use before reaching for your face wash. An oil-based cleanser like Alpha-H ‘s balm will melt makeup from the skin; micellar water on a cotton round is best for getting rid of waterproof products like eyeliner. For a fuss-free removal of all the above, go for the Face Halo makeup remover – a magic pad crafted with microfine fibres thinner than your hair strands. Requiring only water, these reach into the pores and trap traces of makeup, pollution and debris, lifting them out as you wipe for a squeaky-clean complexion.
Nail polish for men
Seen on celebs such as Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky and Machine Gun Kelly, a coat of nail polish adds a touch of cool. Want to get in on the man-icure trend? Many men opt for a classic black hue, but for brightly decorated digits a la Harry Styles, shop the star’s own ‘Pleasing’ polish line. There’s also Machine Gun Kelly’s UNDN LAQR – a genderless range of mattes and metallics you can paint on for a creative style statement.
Start on clean, dry nails (oils will prevent a smooth application) and simply colour inside the lines. Clean up any missteps with a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover. For a professional job, visit a nail salon – many offer men’s manicures, and trust us, your cuticles will thank you.
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