Normalize Your Smize
I’ll never forget my first encounter with makeup. It was 2013 and... my friends and I got detained! It’s always such a funny story because we actually bought our items. My thirty-minute trip looking for a good concealer had turned into a 2-hour long whodunit. Long story short, my friends and I ended up calling our parents and some words were exchanged between them and management. But, in spite of that rather rocky experience, I managed to not be intimidated by the ordeal and returned a few months later to new management. I left with a bag of basic makeup thanks to the coupon they gave to me as an apology.
I pondered what had happened after claiming my compensation, and it had dawned on me that I was a suspect due to my male appearance. They had probably thought I was the “mule” among my friend group to hide their stash because, in the minds of the management, I wasn’t supposed to be buying the makeup. If we want to get all ~aNaLYtiCAL~ we could say that “the store was reinforcing the societal taboo that boys aren’t supposed to wear makeup” and have a whole class on it. But in all honesty, one way or another, it was.
I, a nonbinary person, have no issue with wearing makeup. But as a male presenting person, I have to deal with the social aspects of expressing myself in a heteronormative society. Regardless of the social confines, I think we all have a right to express ourselves, which is why I compiled some #lewks in the form of Tik Toks (linked within the text) for those male-identifying people who want to dip their toes into makeup! Please enjoy as I try to recreate them :)
Basic Go-To Makeup
Okay, so this is my basic “go-to” kind of makeup + a bunch of blush just for fun! It’s super simple and really easy.
Some Notes:
Generally, my skin is on my team, but when I do have the occasional blemish, I currently just put an acne patch over it! I got mine here.
Go lighter toward the front of your brow and darker for the tail of your brow for a more natural look!
The faux freckles are totally optional! I just like doing it because my actual freckles are so light.
Euphoria
If you haven’t watched Euphoria yet, you need to! Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules, is one of my favorites. I stumbled upon this look on Twitter and this was the perfect excuse to recreate it.
Products Used:
Rimmel London Magnif’Eyes Shadow Eyeshadow Contouring Palette
Rimmel London Brow This Way Eyebrow Definer
This One’s For You Aminé
Aminé’s so cool. I love his style and his music. I also just appreciate how open he is on his thoughts on masculinity itself and how he grapples with the concept. This one’s for you Aminé >:3 Also… Please watch to the end of the Tik Tok. Oh my god. It was terrifying.
Products Used:
Aurora Liquid Liner
Rimmel London Magnif’Eyes Shadow Eyeshadow Contouring Palette
…and this Eyeshadow Palette I got from Daiso HAHA
Aquaria
Okay, this one was kind of hard. To be honest, I tried blocking out my brows… and then I ran out of concealer! I adjusted the makeup a bit since I ran into that problem. But, Aquaria’s one of my favorite drag queens to look at and it’s Halloween, so I thought it would be a nice look to throw in. While I didn’t block out my brows, if you should dare try it there’s a cool tutorial here!
Products Used:
Fake Blood
Rimmel London Magnif’Eyes Shadow Eyeshadow Contouring Palette
Rimmel London Brow This Way Eyebrow Definer
Whether you try all four looks or just a few of them, know that makeup is supposed to be fun! There are so many ways you can take it and, honestly, I think that it can really tie an outfit together. Live your truth! But don’t be afraid of looking good while you do it.
Words by Joshua Bernaldo