Male Grooming

Let's talk men's grooming. Many of you have requested that I do a blog post regarding makeup and hair for men, what it entails and products I use.  I love doing makeup (and hair) for men. Why do you ask? Because they're literally done in 15 - 20 minutes, don't require much and my kit is the lightest it can be.

Photo: Reka Nyari
MU&H: Me

Makeup for men can sometimes be a tad tricky.  Because they're not women and you're not adding any extra fluff with lipstick or eyeshadows, if done incorrectly, your subject can look very flat or over done. Remember men should still look like men. It also depends on the type of client that you're working for. Some clients want tons of makeup, some want their men to look rugged, some want them to look boyish etc. Every client is different so you should be able to adjust to their liking.

I often work with TV/Film talent, corporate interviews and catalog. All three clients are different and some men require more makeup than others given their age, skin type, skin color, how well they take care of their skin and the weather.

For HD TV/Film & Corporate Interviews
Depending on the project, most of the time TV talent are very matte and somewhat heavily made up due to HD. What might look like a lot to the naked eye, looks fantastic on camera.  The important things for this type of medium is to hide all reds, make sure there is no flaky skin and keep them matte at all times.  I use different products depending on the talents skin.

• Skin Care: Tone, Moisturize & Prime
• Foundations I Use: MUFE HD, RCMA, Graftobian
• Concealers I Use: MUFE Camo palette, MUFE Full Coverage
• Bronzers I Use: MAC Ultra Matte Bronzer, Black Opal Oil Absorbing Pressed Powder
• Powders: Laura Mercier Universal Powder, CRC Oil Control Pressed Powder, Black Opal Oil Absorbing Pressed Powder
• Lips: MAC Lip Conditioner, Carmex

Occasionally I get the shaved bald head and we all know how that shines like a disco ball on camera if left undone.  I like to use the FACEatelier Ultra Matte Spray.  Sometimes I'll follow up with a pressed powder depending on the extent of the shine and/or placement of lighting.

For Catalog
I work a lot with Lacoste for their online catalog and this particular client likes their men to be a bit more boyish but preppy (or as I like to call it, the Nate Archibald look).  Nice even skin, no reds but still with life and color.  Again, products I use depend on the models skin.

Lacoste Online Catalog
MU&H: Me

• Skin Care: Tone & Moisturize
• Foundations I Use: MUFE HD, FACEatelier Ultra Foundation
• Concealers I Use: MUFE Camo palette
• Bronzers I Use: MAC Ultra Matte Bronzer
• Blushes: (yup sometimes I use blushes) Custom Blush Palette (various brands in a Z Palette)
• Powders: Laura Mercier Universal Powder, CRC Oil Control Pressed Powder
• Lips: MAC Lip Conditioner, Carmex

As far as hair, most guys already come with hair done so I just spruce up whatever they have going on.  Making sure there's no fly aways or hair isn't in the eyes.  They already come shaved too but I always carry a razor in my bag in the case that they missed a hair or two.  Most of the time they'll take care of it themselves (some even carry with their own shaving tools) but I'm also quite comfortable doing it myself if we're pressed for time.  Some of the hair products I use are:

• Jonathan Silky Dirt
• Garnier Fructis Mousse
• Redken Polish Up Pomade
• L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray

That's about it!  See, 15 - 20 minutes and a very light kit.  If any of you have any questions at all, application techniques, tools I use etc. please feel free to comment below or send me an email (which ever you prefer) and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.