I've been doing a lot of male grooming these days.  Everything from headshots to fashion editorials.  I think a lot of men these days are turning towards cosmetic companies to help refine their look.  These companies in turn are putting out product lines targeting these men.  While this is great to get sales up for a certain demographic I feel a lot of these products are the same but repackaged in more masculine colors.

When I think of celebrity males who wear makeup automatically I think of Adam Lambert.  While his look is a bit extreme for the average guy he shows you how just a little eyeliner can create a different verison of yourself.  "Guyliner" as I like to call it can be sexy on the right guy and too feminine on the wrong one.  My approach to men's makeup is more of a natural glow.

How many times have you seen a male model with caked on or too matte of a makeup on an ad or a runway show.  I think the overly matte look is too obvious and unattractive for most guys.  Here is what I like to do for an average day out to cover up your flaws.

1. Most men don't moisturize enough and if you apply makeup over a dry face it will crack and be obvious.  What I like to do is find a liquid or cream foundation closest to your shade, which you can find at any drug store or supermarket.  Next on your hand put a quarter size amount of a really emollient moisturizer.  Drug store brands like Neutrogena, Aveeno etc will work.  Then put an equal amount of your foundation into the moisturizer and use your finger to mix it up really well.  Apply this to your entire face and you will see a nice glow with decent coverage without that makeup look.  I do this often and people never know I have anything on.

2.  Next you will need a decent concealer.  Most guys I work with have a problem with dark undereyes.  My favorite product for this is Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer which comes in Light, Medium, Tan or Dark depending on your complexion.  This peachy concealer is great for erasing undereye circles and you can dab it on any blemishes or razor bumps.  Before you apply it make sure you apply a decent eye cream first.  I can't tell you how many guys I've applied concealer to who have such dry under eyes.  Use something really creamy like Peter Thomas Roth's Mega Rich Eye Creme. 

3.  Finally you will need a powder.  This can be any translucent powder or one of my favorites, Benefit's Bluff dust which is a pale yellow powder that hides redness and sets perfectly.  The key to applying powder is different than what I would do for a female.  What I like to do is just powder the t zone.  This will prevent you from looking greasy but leave enough natural shine on your face so you look healthy and not over done.  Apply the powder on your forehead, tip of the nose, sides of the nose, chin and under your eyes.  Leave your cheeks and bridge of your nose unpowdered.  If you are really shiny you can apply a mattifying product to the t zone like Smashbox's Anti Shine cream.

Finally for those men who want that Adam Lambert "guyliner" look to be sexy but not feminine here are some tips.

1.  Use an eye pencil that is waterproof as you will probably sweat throughout the night.  I like MakeupForever's Aqua Eye pencil in 10 black.

2. Apply the pencil only to the bottom lashline as you don't need a full lined eye.  After you apply the pencil under your lower lashline use a qtip and smudge it out so there isn't a defined line.

3.  If you want a dark sultry look apply the pencil to your inside lower waterline as well.  This will make you mysterious and tough.  Don't do this if you have small or exotic shaped eyes as it will make your eyes smaller.