Where women’s cosmetics have focused heavily on the tenets of beautification, modern men’s cosmetics have – to date – focused on subtle enhancement, correction and refinement; a ‘barely there’ aesthetic that complimented rather than masked the face. But perhaps the time has come for men to reclaim the act of wearing makeup, albeit in a truly modern way – one that allows them to look the best possible version of themselves, without fear of judgment or stigmatisation.
Indeed, industry forecasts are promising, with the male beauty and grooming market set to be worth more than $60bn by 2020, while 15% of UK men under the age of 45 have previously bought make-up (Sources: Euromonitor, Mintel). Men's cosmetics was also a stand-out category at this year’s Cosmoprof beauty trade show, with a plethora of start-ups representing an emerging generation of male beauty brands. Meanwhile, the #beautyboys trend – buoyed by social media – has given rise to a counter-movement that challenged engrained, traditional notions of masculinity.
Of course this is just the start of the journey, and while the male grooming and cosmetics market is unlikely to overtake women’s market any time soon, the sector is clearly on an upwards trajectory. So, how can fledgling brands stand out in what is anticipated to be an increasingly crowded space?
Product positioning will be crucial to ensuring male cosmetics become as inclusive as possible, attracting custom from men who have never experimented with make-up before. There is also a distinct opportunity for brands to meaningfully contribute to the male makeup space by breaking down social barriers. In the same way music artist Rihanna shed light on the lack of racial inclusivity in cosmetics with her Fenty makeup range, gender diversity is entering the domain with a very clear message: masculine men wear makeup.
MMUK Man has done this exceptionally well by responding to an identified gap in cosmetics retail that has failed to serve male consumers effectively. Its monochrome brand identity is minimalistic, modern and masculine at once – from concealer to cover-up, its proposition is aspirational, luxury and positioned as a tool for optimising a man’s best physical features. It’s empowering rather than effeminate, and it’s a message that is beginning to resonate with men in the mainstream.
With that in mind, brand language must also be carefully balanced. Terms like ‘guyliner’ have a lot to answer for in terms of putting ordinary men off cosmetic experimentation. Instead, functionality and transparency must sit at the forefront of brand communications, with language that's clear and unfussy in order to have impact.
And as social norms evolve, male cosmetics must become more accessible at a retail level. Having worked in the retail interiors industry for over three decades, largely in beauty and cosmetics, I've recently collaborated with industry experts on developing a male cosmetics and grooming concept – dubbed The Y Code – that aims to fill the gap for a premium, masculine and perfunctory offering. It will elicit the interest of the everyday guy who may not usually buy grooming products beyond aftershave balm and hair gel by playing to the anthropological significance of male make-up – that it’s empowering – while presenting it in a relevant and modern way, focused on confidence and individuality.
Brands entering the male beauty space must show that they understand male consumer concerns and at the same time must confront societal concerns. The ability to offer a genuine, transparent and values-driven brand will be currency that cynical and hard-to-persuade male consumers will both understand and buy into.
Michael Sheridan is chairman and founder of global retail design agency Sheridan&Co.
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