More and more makeup brands have been capitalizing on the growing trend of inclusivity in beauty. Several brands have recently featured men in their ads and others sponsor online makeup influencers. Chanel took this one step further when they released a makeup line specifically for men. While the brand is excited about their product, public opinions on this launch are seriously divided!
The brand launched the line exclusively in South Korea with popular South Korean actor Lee Dong Wook serving as the face. With the mass appeal of the actor/model and the fact that a majority of South Korean men already do some sort of beauty regime regularly, Chanel hopes to see massive success in that market. They’re aiming to start selling the makeup online in November and having a North American retail launch in early 2019. But, will they be able to sell a product like this in a society where it’s not already the norm?
The first release includes a foundation, an eyebrow pencil, and a lip balm. A $56 lip balm, just FYI…isn’t lip balm already gender neutral and like $3 at the drugstore? Opinions about the launch have been mixed. Some say that this is a step in the right direction for allowing men to see that using makeup isn’t a threat to masculinity. Others say Chanel’s move is more focused on profit and less on actual accessibility. Do men need all types of makeup formulated for them? One Instagram user and male makeup wearer @ryansbxo says he would rather see a focus on “neutral packaging and more male imagery featured across makeup marketing”.
Will Chanel’s men’s makeup take off in the US? Do men need to have their own makeup or do they even need makeup at all? Let us know what you think below!