Smudged kohl, sculpted cheeks, and zero apologies—male beauty goes bold
From the red carpet to the concert stage, a bold revolution is rewriting male beauty norms—and this time, the eyeliner is in his dressing room. Once confined to the backstage of punk rock and underground culture, men’s makeup has taken a confident leap into the mainstream, thanks to A-list celebrities (both Indian and international) who aren’t just embracing cosmetics—they’re owning them.
With a foundation as fierce as their fan base, graphic eyes and brows sculpted to perfection, stars like Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, and BTS are redefining masculinity, one brush stroke at a time. As the lines between grooming and glamour blur, male makeup is no longer a trend—it’s the new normal. Check out our curated list of celebs who have redefined male makeup looks on a global stage.
Cole Escola: Dramatic Doll Eyes
Celebrated comedian and playwright Cole Escola stunned in an avant-garde, vaudeville-inspired make-up look at the Met Gala 2025. This full face of Kevyn Aucoin makeup entailed the dramatic lashes to ‘evoke gothic fauna to contrast the bright flora of his suit’ keeping the skin glowy and fresh.
The look was completed with a dash of ombré blush and a smudged black liner. This bold and dramatic look channelled the vintage drag-meets-Broadway energy, which expresses Cole’s core persona perfectly well.
Harry Styles: Bold Lessons in Quiet Beauty
Harry Styles’ makeup at the 2019 Met Gala was a study in minimal yet deeply intentional glam. With a luminous, natural base, soft contouring, and a gentle pink flush across his cheeks, the look radiated effortless gender fluidity.
His eyes were quietly defined with soft brown tones and tightlined with kohl, adding just enough drama without being Over The Top (OTT). A sheer gloss on the lips and brushed-up brows completed the ethereal finish, blurring the lines between masculine and feminine.
While the soft, feminine makeup matched beautifully with his sheer Gucci blouse, the pearl dangler in his ear and mismatched nail-paint was the cherry on the cake!
Darren Cris: Harlequin Fantasy Meets Glam Rock
Actor and songwriter Darren Criss turned heads at the 2019 Met Gala with a daring, theatrical makeup look that fused glam rock with baroque drama.
His eyes were the focal point, drenched in vivid cobalt blue shadow that winged out boldly past the temples, paired with dark kohl liner and smoked lower lids for maximum effect.
A matte, sculpted base and a faint berry-stained lip kept the rest of the face refined, while a single vertical line on his bottom lip added a subtle, subversive twist. The result? A striking, gender-defying beauty moment that embodied the extravagant spirit of camp.
Aditya Roy Kapur: A Lesson in Everyday Glam
Makeup for men doesn’t always have to be loud or dramatic; it can be muted, understated, and inspirational for everyday use. Bollywood actor Aditya Roy Kapur demonstrated this thought as he donned dewy skin and bold eye make-up for a magazine cover.
The focus here is on Aditya’s kohl-rimmed eyes—intensely lined along the waterline and smudged just enough to create a smoky, mysterious effect. The skin is dewy and bronzed, with a softly sculpted cheek and a natural, untouched lip that balances the drama around the eyes.
The look channels classic Bollywood intensity with a contemporary editorial edge, think smouldering rebel meets modern-day muse.
Ranveer Singh Exudes Gothic Glam with Killer Confidence
Ranveer Singh turned heads with his bold, edgy makeup that redefined masculinity in the mainstream Bollywood movie, Padmaavat, back in 2017. His eyes were the undisputed focus—lined with jet-black kohl on both upper and lower waterlines, extending slightly past the corners to add a sultry, almost rebellious intensity.
This created a rockstar-meets-royalty vibe. His brows were groomed yet thick, complementing the dramatic eye look. Ranveer’s skin was kept matte with a slight bronzed contour to enhance his bone structure, and his signature twisted moustache and full beard added a regal yet punk-like sharpness.
The hair was voluminous, swept back with height and texture, amplifying the theatrical effect. This look was a fearless fusion of traditional Indian masculinity with high-fashion androgyny, cementing Ranveer as a true trailblazer in breaking Bollywood’s grooming boundaries.
Conclusion
As bona fide Bollywood and Hollywood icons continue to break the mould, male makeup is no longer a statement—it’s a celebration. These pioneers are not just redefining beauty standards but shifting the cultural narrative around gender and identity. With every swipe of liner or a shimmer of highlighter, they remind us that authenticity has no gender. In a world learning to embrace fluidity, makeup is no longer his or hers—it’s an art of self-expression, and it’s for all.
