Should Men Wear Makeup? Men's Grooming Secrets

Men's grooming by me, Christina Flach, San Francisco celebrity makeup artist. Should men wear makeup? Almost every man on TV already does. My skincare, brow and discoloration tricks keep men looking polished and natural, on camera and off.

Men’s Grooming Secrets From a Celebrity Makeup Artist

How to look handsome, polished, and camera-ready without looking like you’re wearing makeup.

Here’s a little secret from my 30 years as a celebrity makeup artist. Almost every man you see on television, in magazines, or walking the red carpet has had a little help in the makeup chair.

Yes, gentlemen, I’m talking about makeup! And before you start panicking, I promise nobody needs to know.

The funny thing is, when I do my job well, you can’t tell I’ve done anything at all. That’s the beauty of great men’s grooming.

I’ve worked with everyone from actors and athletes to CEOs and television personalities, and I can tell you that men want exactly what women want. They want to look handsome, healthy, rested, and like the very best version of themselves.

They just don’t necessarily want anyone knowing how they got there!

And guess what? You don’t need to be famous or have a camera pointed at you to benefit from a few of my favorite tricks.

Whether you’re getting married, taking professional headshots, giving an important presentation, or heading out on a special date, a little grooming can make a world of difference.

First Things First: Take Care of That Handsome Face

I always say beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, and that goes for men, too.

Men’s skin is often a little thicker and oilier, and shaving can cause redness, irritation, and those annoying little bumps.

Before I even think about picking up a makeup brush, I make sure the skin is hydrated and properly prepped.

A lightweight moisturizer is your best friend, and if you’re someone who gets shiny, a little oil-control primer can work wonders.

And gentlemen, please wear sunscreen! Every. Single. Day.

You don’t need 15 products lined up on your bathroom counter. A good cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF will take you a long way.

Trust me on this one.

Let’s Talk About Those Eyebrows

Oh, eyebrows! One of my favorite little tricks.

You would be amazed at how much a well-groomed eyebrow can change someone’s entire face.

And no, I’m not talking about giving you perfectly sculpted Instagram eyebrows. We’re absolutely not doing that!

I’m talking about cleaning up a few stray hairs, brushing everything into place, and maybe filling in a little sparse area.

I recently worked with a gentleman whose eyebrows were getting a little thin. I added a few tiny, hair-like strokes, and suddenly his whole face looked more youthful and refreshed.

Nobody knew what I’d done.

That’s my favorite kind of compliment!

Those Dark Circles? I’ve Got You!

We’ve all had those mornings when we look in the mirror and think, Good grief, did I sleep at all last night?

Well, gentlemen, you’re not alone.

Dark circles can make you look exhausted even when you feel fantastic. And cameras have a funny way of making them look even worse.

One of my favorite tricks is using a tiny amount eye cream to hydrate the lid and under eye followed by the smallest touch of concealer to hide any discoloration on the eye lids.

The secret is using very little product and blending, blending, blending.

I don’t want to erase your face. I just want to erase the evidence of that late night!

Here’s a Trick Nobody Talks About: Your Eyelids

This is one of those little professional secrets that makes such a difference.

Have you ever noticed how some men have reddish or slightly purple eyelids?

It’s completely normal, but that discoloration can make the eyes look tired.

I use the tiniest amount of skin-tone concealer to even out the eyelids, and suddenly the eyes look brighter and more awake.

It’s such a small thing, but the difference can be incredible.

And once again, nobody knows why you look so good.

Are you noticing a theme here?

Shine Is Not Your Friend, Especially on Camera

Now, I love beautiful, healthy, glowing skin. But there’s a big difference between a healthy glow and looking like you just ran five miles in the middle of August!

Especially under television lights.

I use a very light touch of translucent powder around the forehead, nose, and chin to control excess shine.

The key is keeping the skin looking natural. I never want a man’s face to look flat, chalky, or overly powdered.

And here’s another little secret: blotting papers are fantastic. Pro tip: a piece of a toilet seat cover ( yes, you heard me right!) on oily skin, will lift the oil.

They absorb oil without adding another layer of product. I always have them in my kit.

Looking Good Isn’t Just for Hollywood

One of the things I love most about my work is watching someone’s confidence change when they look in the mirror.

Sometimes it’s a groom getting ready to marry the love of his life. Sometimes it’s a businessman preparing for an important interview. And sometimes it’s simply a gentleman who wants to look a little more refreshed and handsome.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look your best.

In fact, I think it’s wonderful.

My philosophy has always been that makeup should never enter the room before you do.

And that goes for men, too.

You should walk into a room looking confident, handsome, and completely yourself.

Nobody needs to know about our little beauty secrets.

I’ll never tell!

So, should men wear makeup? If its done right, absolutley, and no one will ever know. Whether you have a TV appearance, photo shoot, headshots, your wedding day or a big event, I’ll make sure you look sharp, rested and completely natural.

Book your men’s grooming appointment at ChristinaFlach.com

With love and a little concealer,

Christina Flach

Celebrity Makeup & Hair Artist | NBC California Live Beauty Expert

And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Christina Flach Makeup Artist, for more beauty tips, professional secrets, and a little behind-the-scenes fun!