How to Apply Makeup to Look More Masculine

If you're a man, you may want to apply makeup to enhance your natural features. You may also be exploring a new gender identity or in the process of transitioning. Whatever your reasons, there are many ways makeup can be used to enhance masculinity.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying the Basics

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1
Apply a layer of beauty balm. This will smooth out your skin and conceal some blemishes and discolorations. You should use balm over foundation. Foundation will make it obvious you're wearing makeup. Balm will smooth out your features, prepping your face for makeup, without making the fact you're wearing makeup obvious.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Use your index finger to dab dots of beauty balm around your face. Focus on areas in which your skin is uneven.
- Use a fluff brush or your fingers to blend the balm into your skin. Use circular motions and keep blending until the foundation looks natural. You should not see any obvious lines or marks on your face.
2
Cover up blemishes with concealer. Focus on areas prone to acne, like the chin and forehead, as well as under your eyes. You can use your fingers to apply concealer. You can also use the wand that came with the package.^{[2]XResearch source}
- As with the foundation, work the concealer into your skin with circular motions. You can use your fingers, a brush, or a makeup sponge.
- Keep blending until the concealer looks natural. It should blend into your foundation and skin tone. There should not be any lines on your face.
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3
Use a powder to reduce shine. After applying foundation and concealer, your makeup will not appear that different than feminine makeup. You should take steps to reduce the shiny appearance left by foundation and cover up. Makeup powder should be dabbed across your face to dull the appearance of your foundational makeup.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Choose a powder foundation that matches your natural skin tone. Dab the foundation over your face using a large brush.
- Target the areas on your face that are the shiniest. Your cheeks and cheekbones, for example, may be shiny after applying cream foundation and cover up.
4
Contour around your face. Men tend to have more angular features. You can create this affect by using a darker shade of highlighter or foundation to create the illusion of shadows around your cheekbones, jaw, and forehead. Use a small contouring brush to apply the makeup.^{[4]XExpert SourceDaniel Vann
Licensed AestheticianExpert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Start with your cheekbones. Suck in your cheeks and draw a dark line running down your cheekbones. Draw another line tracing your chin and lower jawline. This will create a sharper, more masculine facial structure.
- Draw a slight l-shape on both your temples. Then, on your forehead, shade a triangular shape on both sides of the forehead. Draw the triangle just above the arch of each eyebrow.
- Use a light powder to blend the contour shades throughout your face. It should not be obvious you're wearing makeup. Use a large brush and circular motions to blend.
- Aim for sharper lines without making the contouring harsher.^{[5]XExpert SourceYuka Arora
  Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 7 October 2018.}
5
Shade around your nose to make it look bigger. Men tend to have larger and more defined noses. Using a dark foundation or highlighter, you can shade around your nose to make it more prominent. Use a large brush to apply.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Shade both sides of the nose. This will also darken the area. Men tend not to wear foundation, so areas of the face usually look darker. Make sure to shade under the tip of your nose, as well as the sides of each nostril.
- Shade the area where your nose meets your brow bone. This create the appearance of a shadow under the eyebrow. This is important, as men tend to have more prominent fore brows.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Refining Your Eyes

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1
Use makeup to make your eyes smaller. Men tend to have eyes that are smaller in appearance. Therefore, you want to make your eyes look smaller with the use of makeup. To do so, use a concealer lighter than your skin tone under your eyes.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Use your fingers to apply the concealer right under your eyes. Apply in an arch that follows along your lower eyelid.
- Keep working the concealer in until it blends naturally with your skin. When you're done, your eyes should look slightly smaller.
Rihanna, Founder, Fenty Beauty
Using makeup is empowering. "Makeup is like a secret weapon. Depending on my mood, my look, or the occasion, makeup can go from very subtle to a complete transformation, and that’s the fun in makeup: being able to play and create in endless ways."
2
Treat your eyebrows. Getting the eyebrows right is the most important part of creating a masculine look using makeup.^{[8]XExpert SourceYuka Arora
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 30 August 2018.}Male eyebrows tend to be bushier than female eyebrows. They also tend to lack shape. While female eyebrows are arched slightly, male eyebrows may be thicker and more furrowed. You can use makeup to fill in gaps in your eyebrows and shape them in a more masculine style.^{[9]XResearch source}^{[10]XResearch source}
- Use an eyebrow powder that matches your natural brow color. Use a small brush to start applying the makeup. Start applying powder at the end of your eyebrow nearest your nose.
- Fill in any gaps in your eyebrow hair to make them look thicker. As you work your way across your eyebrows, apply the makeup in a straight line. Work against the natural curve of your brow. Blend the makeup in a way that makes your eyebrow appear straighter.
Affirm gender before medical transition. "I'm a transgender man early into my transition, so I don't yet look very masculine. I struggled seeing my feminine face in the mirror every day. But using the techniques to contour my nose and jaw helped me see the man I know I am inside. Even though I can't medically transition yet, small changes like these are helping me stay true to myself. I finally recognize myself again thanks to this helpful resource." - Jordan S.
Enhance masculinity for the stage. "I was cast as a male character in a play even though I'm a woman. I was really unsure how to make my face look right for the part. Following the instructions to shade my jaw and darken my brows worked like magic to look masculine but in a natural way. Using a light hand with the makeup made me photograph perfectly under the stage lights. This guide gave me the confidence I needed to shine in my role." - Morgan S.
Achieve androgynous style daily. "As a non-binary person who is perceived as feminine, I've struggled to feel comfortable with how I present. The tips here on subtly contouring my face and darkening my eyebrows have been so helpful. Now, I use these techniques each morning as part of my routine, and I feel more like my true self. Small changes make a big difference in how people see me and how I see myself in the mirror." - Danni F.
Find acceptance through self-expression. "As a teen questioning my gender identity, I really wanted to look more masculine but wasn't ready to come out to my family. Following the tips to fill in and shape my eyebrows made me look and feel so much more like the real me. Now, I can see myself in the mirror and feel at home in my own skin. Even if they're subtle, these changes mean the world to me. I'm so grateful I found self-acceptance through this guide." - Sammy C.
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3
Use a subtle eyeliner. You can enhance your eyes a bit with eyeliner. This will call attention to your masculine looking eyes and brows. However, use a subtle shade. A dark, noticeable shade may look more feminine.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Apply the eyeliner right at your lash line. Go for a brown or chocolate brown shade.
- Select a powder-based liner. This will be less noticeable than other liners, while also defining your eyes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Enhancing Facial Hair

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1
Choose an eyebrow powder that matches your facial hair. You can use eyebrow powder on your existing facial hair to make it look thicker and scruffier. Stop by a local drugstore or makeup store. Look for an eyebrow powder that matches the color of your natural facial hair.^{[12]XResearch source}
- You may have to experiment with several different types of eyebrow powder before finding one that looks natural on you.
2
Apply the powder over your existing facial hair. Use a small angled brush. Dip it into the eyebrow powder. Then, apply the powder over your existing facial hair.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Use circular motions to dust the powder over your facial hair. Give particular attention to areas where there are gaps in facial hair.
- Keep in mind, this will not work as well if your facial hair is just growing in. You want to wait until your stubble is fairly noticeable before attempting this.
Otherwise, your makeup will look unnatural. Blend the makeup into your neck and cheeks so the color fades gradually. A dramatic change in color or texture will make it obvious you're wearing makeup.^{[14]XResearch source}

Break Out of Gender Norms with this Expert Series

You have the right to dress however you like, and, if you're looking to dress as a man or just look more masculine, we have an expert series just for you. These articles will help you crossdress, present as male, and generally look more masculine.

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Expert Q&A

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Question
How do I make my makeup look more masculine?
Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.
Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
You can add some natural looking darker colors under your eyes for the "boy beat" look.
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Question
How do I contour my face to look more masculine?
Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Daniel Vann is the Creative Director for Daredevil Cosmetics, a makeup studio in the Seattle Area. He has been working in the cosmetics industry for over 15 years and is currently a licensed aesthetician and makeup educator.
Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Expert Answer
If you're going for a traditionally masculine look, you kind of want to angle your contour lines downward. Men tend to have slightly downward-facing features, so this is a great way to subtly play up those masculine features.
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Question
What if I don't want my makeup to be noticeable?
Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Daniel Vann is the Creative Director for Daredevil Cosmetics, a makeup studio in the Seattle Area. He has been working in the cosmetics industry for over 15 years and is currently a licensed aesthetician and makeup educator.
Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Expert Answer
We call this the "makeup-less" look. So in this case, less is really more. You really don't want to add a lot of makeup because the more you add, the easier it will be to see. Stick with the skincare, a little concealer, and maybe some clear lip gloss or light mascara.
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It may take several tries before your makeup looks natural. Do not get discouraged. It takes practice to apply makeup properly.
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