Makeup for gay men

Men, both straight and LGBTQ, are experimenting with makeup, and experts say that's no surprise. Just look to TikTok to see the latest examples. With the recent flurry of media attention beauty boys have received, it is easy to forget how radical this is. Over the last century, men who wear makeup have often found themselves subject to unwanted attention, if not outright violence.

On people who present as male, makeup, especially the more glamorous looks people like Ninh have adopted, has acted as a proxy for queerness — a harbinger. Grooming The Beginner's Guide to Makeup for Men GQ grooming columnist Phillip Picardi makes the case for wearing concealer—and explains everything you need to know about trying it out.

Find and save ideas about gay makeup on Pinterest. Men in makeup is nothing new, but for the shy, queer men exploring their identities, beauty vlogging has played a big role in finding confidence. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. But Pride outfits , Pride makeup, and Pride nails are about soooo much more than just rainbows and glitter—they're a representation of the pride we have in our queer identities.

That's why during Pride Month and beyond! Whether it's tri-colored eyeliner representing the trans community, sparkly eyeshadow showing off your bisexuality, or rainbow face gems celebrating your allyship, there's something special in knowing your Pride makeup look was created using products that truly uplift the queer community.

My fellow Cosmo editors shared their Pride makeup ideas and product recs, too. Don't be intimidated, these Pride makeup looks are surprisingly easy to recreate. No matter your budget or skill level, you'll look absolutely gag-worthy by the time you're done! The false lash brand Kiss is celebrating Pride Month with three limited-edition rainbow falsies that make for an easy, one-and-done Pride makeup look. Kiss has super cute Pride-themed press-on nails , too.

Don't be intimidated by rainbow Pride makeup that require multiple colors. All you'll need to create this Pride flag eyeshadow is a few brightly colored eyeliners, an eyeshadow brush for blending, and a bit of confidence. You can layer the shade until your desired saturation is achieved. Then, repeat these steps for each additional shade until the entire lid is complete," says Steve Kassajikian , head of global artistry at Urban Decay.

Eyeliner pencils offer more precise application than powder eyeshadows, especially when creating multi-color looks. Best of all, the waterproof formula doesn't budge, even when I'm sweating like crazy. And you don't have to go crazy with every single color! Many Pride flag looks only require three colors like this pink, yellow, and blue combo representing the pansexual flag , all of which can be worn individually as graphic liner, too.

Gender-affirming hormones can wreak havoc on your skin, as can a month's worth of Pride parties. The easiest and most festive way to hide breakouts: these limited-edition Pride acne dots from Peace Out. The fun rainbow-colored design does more than help your pimple heal; it elevates your Pride outfit to a whole other level.

androgynous makeup for guys

PSA: Your Pride makeup doesn't have to include a rainbow. A swath of brightly-colored eyeshadow can be just as impactful, as assistant news editor Sam Olson proves with this brat green look created using About-Face's Fluid Eye Paint in the shade Everything Now. Swipe on an of-the-moment shade, and you've got a quick, easy, uncomplicated beat that'll earn compliments everywhere you go. The Performer Foundation is smooth, skin-like, and super easy to apply with its signature jumbo doe-foot applicator; the Matte Fix Lip Liner has the creamiest and most blendable formula in my kit; and their bestselling Fluid Eye Paints are to die for.

The best part? Thank me later! Gay icons like RuPaul, Kim Petras, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj have all starred in Viva Glam campaigns, which all but guarantees this lipstick will make you feel like a total baddie. While eye gems aren't required, they'll make your neon makeup look pop even more. Sure, you can find super cheap rainbow face gems on Amazon, but they won't stay in place nearly as well as the ones in this Pride Playbox from Bakeup Beauty —and they won't give back to the queer community, either.

Want to stand out from the sea of face gems and body glitter this Pride Month?

A bold swipe will take your Pride makeup look somewhere totally different, and all you need is a broad paintbrush and a few cream eyeshadows. Commitment is the key to success, as are Q-tips to clean up the edges. Touch up the colors with a small makeup brush if you missed any spots on your first go.