Makeup for men to cover up the occasional acne spot

Idle Billy

A spot can make you look so much more unattractive... and if viewed from a certain angle (the side), can interrupt the natural contour of your cheek. Any ideas about getting makeup to cover up spots without awkwardness? Most of the time I wouldn't feel the need to cover them up. But in case an important occasion occurred.

And before you say, the spots have nothing to do my diet!

Thank you

Blacktie.

Men are wearing make up now? OP the social repercussions of getting caught with this will be huge. I would never hear the end of this from mates if I got caught doing this. It's a spot. It will go away. Everyone has dealt with them and know this.

eviltwin

A bit of concealer will sort you out OP. No one will notice and if they do they probably won't even mention it. And if they do it says a lot more about them than you.

Bored_lad

What you want is a small bit of conealer. You could buy plain women's concealer in any of the make up stands at Brown Thomas. Some companies such as Tom Ford make men's concealers however I don't know where you'd get them in Ireland you'd probably have to order it online.

GFT

You can really notice that stuff in bright light. My advice as someone that gets the occasional acne is to spend on a good face wash.

Pac1Man

I can't imagine anyone will be that fussed about the 'natural contour of your cheek'!

You're overthinking the significance OP.

Pepe LeFrits

GFT wrote: »

You can really notice that stuff in bright light. My advice as someone that gets the occasional acne is to spend on a good face wash.

Depends on how much of it and what tone/colour you use I think. Used sparingly it can be handy for reducing redness.

Bored_lad wrote: »

Some companies such as Tom Ford make men's concealers however I don't know where you'd get them in Ireland you'd probably have to order it online.

Genuine question, is there any difference? Is it not the same product repackaged and repriced?

Blacktie. wrote: »

Men are wearing make up now? OP the social repercussions of getting caught with this will be huge.

Ah jaysus.

OP, in my experience it’d be a pretty rare spot that could make someone ‘so much more unattractive’ (interesting choice of phrase btw) and your perception of how it makes you look is probably the main problem. Still, if it makes you feel less self-conscious, go for it. Do what you want to do, everybody puts effort into their appearance and I wouldn’t be worrying about where others draw their very arbitrary line on what’s acceptable.

Irish_rat

OP stay awake from the makeup, it will only make acne worse clogging pores. Cleanse and moisturize to see if it makes it better. Drink a bit more water.

Wibbs

Confucius say constructive posts only.

fits

Pen concealers are the handiest. Ask for help in a good pharmacy.

TrustedApple

There is one cream i get in from the UK that is fantastic for spots. Acnomel Adult Acne Medication Cream is what its called clears up the spot and its skin coloured so you lose the redness as well.

I think you have to get it from a DR here or something while in the UK its over the counter. I buy it from Amazon and use parcel motel to get it.

Gael23

I have Psoriasis and I know some light makeup would help me a lot. I don't think I could bring myself to do it though. Maybe if I got it professionally done for a special occasion as I did before but not by myself. I agree that you shouldn't go further than concealer.

mr.anonymous

Some witch hazel on cotton wool cleans your skin well. Drop of tea tree oil on the affected area.

Or try tree oil soap to wash your face. Don't scrub too hard or use water that's too hot, you'll irritate your skin. Using stuff that's too harsh dries out your skin, which responds by making more oil and clogging your pores.

Drink plenty of water. Don't eat a lot of junk. Try not to touch your face too much. Stress affects your skin too.

(I've had this problem for years to the point of scarring on my back and shoulders so I've tried everything!)

Gael23

I just use moisturiser at the moment. I little concealer would hide some redness around my eyes but i'd be concerned about it being noticed

Fukuyama

Makeup on men would be considered very odd by most people. And I'd say most people who say "go for it" on the Internet (while well-meaning) would have different opinions if John in the office started doing his makeup at his desk.

Online advice lends itself to being supportive of the weirdest actions and posters often have vested interests in social "movements" which, like most Internet phenomenon, would be considered weird and odd in real life.

Besides, from what I can tell, makeup for women seems to be a pain in the arse for them most of the time. There's whole debates about women feeling pressured to wear it 24/7 etc...

A good proportion of them do it daily from the age of 15 and still do it rather badly. Good makeup (whether deliberately heavy or barely noticeable) is actually quite a skill. It's quite shocking how different a person can be made look once a skilled hand has had its way. All manner of brushes and apparatus involved...I've seen it done... 'tis mad.

Anyways OP, don't start putting slap on. Toughen up and deal with the feckin spot. Don't be so vein. Shave properly (most men don't), wash gently, eat clean, drink lots of water and change pillow cases twice as often as bed sheets.

fits

Using concealer actually isn't a big deal and op shouldn't be told to 'toughen up' for considering it.

Something like this (in beige) is simple to use and available in many pharmacies

http://www.laroche-posay.com/products-treatments/Toleriane-Teint/Toleriane-Teint-Corrective-Pens-p581.aspx

Fukuyama

fits wrote: »

Using concealer actually isn't a big deal and op shouldn't be told to 'toughen up' for considering it.

Something like this (in beige) is simple to use and available in many pharmacies

http://www.laroche-posay.com/products-treatments/Toleriane-Teint/Toleriane-Teint-Corrective-Pens-p581.aspx

Well, my own philosophy is to always be presentable but not so vain to the point of fussing over every little blemish.

In virtually every modern culture men don't wear make up. OP is free to go around with whatever he wants on his face.

It would also be kind of hard to take a man seriously if he wore make up. Feel free to view that as an oppressive statement or whatever. It's the truth and OP would experience same in 99% of situations in Ireland.

I'm guess you're a woman from yoru knowledge of makeup. So you have me beaten on that front. But I can tell you that if every man on this forum was asked what he'd think of his mate wearing make up they'd find it odd.

Blacktie.

Fukuyama wrote: »

Well, my own philosophy is to always be presentable but not so vain to the point of fussing over every little blemish.

In virtually every modern culture men don't wear make up. OP is free to go around with whatever he wants on his face.

It would also be kind of hard to take a man seriously if he wore make up. Feel free to view that as an oppressive statement or whatever. It's the truth and OP would experience same in 99% of situations in Ireland.

I'm guess you're a woman from yoru knowledge of makeup. So you have me beaten on that front. But I can tell you that if every man on this forum was asked what he'd think of his mate wearing make up they'd find it odd.

This is the internet. Go away with your real life relevent info.

Galwayguy35

TBH I think putting make up on to cover a spot would be more noticable than the pimple being covered.

For example in a pub if talking to someone it could be noticed and might lead to more embarrassment than the spot which nobody would pass any remarks on.

intheclouds

Concealer isn't make up. It's for covering blemishes.

intheclouds

intheclouds wrote: »

Concealer isn't make up. It's for covering blemishes.

If you paint it on your face, it's make up.

I don't see the problem with it, if it's discreet.

intheclouds

Candie wrote: »

If you paint it on your face, it's make up.

I don't see the problem with it, if it's discreet.

Nonsense, lip balms aren't make up. Nor is moisturiser. Or sun screen.

And you don't "paint it on your face". You use a tiny dab from the tip of it to cover a blemish.

Even the expression "paint it on your face" is loaded and evokes thoughts of full facial make up, powders, potions, colours, applied with brushes.

intheclouds

intheclouds wrote: »

Nonsense, lip balms aren't make up. Nor is moisturiser. Or sun screen.

And you don't "paint it on your face". You use a tiny dab from the tip of it to cover a blemish.

Even the expression "paint it on your face" is loaded and evokes thoughts of full facial make up, powders, potions, colours, applied with brushes.

I'll rephrase. If it's coloured and you put it on your face, then it's makeup. Thats not judging anyone who uses it, it's just a fact. Whether you apply it with your finger, a brush or a trowel, it's make up.

From Merriam Webster:

substances (such as lipstick or powder) used to make someone's face look more attractive

You'd be hard pushed not to include concealer in that.

intheclouds

Candie wrote: »

You'd be hard pushed not to include concealer in that.

You'd be hard pushed not to include lip balm in that too.

I'm mildly surprised that someone would consider concealer make up.

I know people who use it to cover tattoos, moles, scars, unsightly blemishes, and none of these on the face either.

I would have said it can be used with make up, but concealer = make up, no, bit of a stretch IMO.

Fukuyama

Okay. Well go ask a group of men if they think wearing concealer = wearing makeup. The results may shock you.

Honestly, it's often hard to tell if people kid themselves online or if there genuinely is a minority of deluded people when it comes to issues like this. Anyone can wear whatever they want but if it bucks a social norm it's going to be noticed in a negative way.

It's makeup. It's for women. It's 2016. Men can wear makeup, dresses etc... no problem. Fair play to them if they want to. But objectively speaking, nobody can be expected to treat it as if it's normal. Nor is it "manly".

One eyed Jack

Idle Billy wrote: »

A spot can make you look so much more unattractive... and if viewed from a certain angle (the side), can interrupt the natural contour of your cheek. Any ideas about getting makeup to cover up spots without awkwardness? Most of the time I wouldn't feel the need to cover them up. But in case an important occasion occurred.

And before you say, the spots have nothing to do my diet!

Thank you

No amount of concealer will cover that level of self-consciousness tbh. Concealer is ok though if it's just the odd spot every so often, but you mention 'spots', so I would suggest having a chat with your local pharmacist about over the counter treatments that would give you long term results than concealers which can often highlight an issue rather than the intended effect.

B_Wayne

Fukuyama wrote: »

Okay. Well go ask a group of men if they think wearing concealer = wearing makeup. The results may shock you.

Honestly, it's often hard to tell if people kid themselves online or if there genuinely is a minority of deluded people when it comes to issues like this. Anyone can wear whatever they want but if it bucks a social norm it's going to be noticed in a negative way.

It's makeup. It's for women. It's 2016. Men can wear makeup, dresses etc... no problem. Fair play to them if they want to. But objectively speaking, nobody can be expected to treat it as if it's normal. Nor is it "manly".

As a man, I can honestly say that I couldn't care less if a man is wearing makeup..... I've had plenty of trouble with my skin in my past and can completely understand a person feeling more comfortable by masking it. So what?

SarahMollie

Fukuyama wrote: »

Makeup on men would be considered very odd by most people. And I'd say most people who say "go for it" on the Internet (while well-meaning) would have different opinions if John in the office started doing his makeup at his desk.

Online advice lends itself to being supportive of the weirdest actions and posters often have vested interests in social "movements" which, like most Internet phenomenon, would be considered weird and odd in real life.

Besides, from what I can tell, makeup for women seems to be a pain in the arse for them most of the time. There's whole debates about women feeling pressured to wear it 24/7 etc...

A good proportion of them do it daily from the age of 15 and still do it rather badly. Good makeup (whether deliberately heavy or barely noticeable) is actually quite a skill. It's quite shocking how different a person can be made look once a skilled hand has had its way. All manner of brushes and apparatus involved...I've seen it done... 'tis mad.

Anyways OP, don't start putting slap on. Toughen up and deal with the feckin spot. Don't be so vein. Shave properly (most men don't), wash gently, eat clean, drink lots of water and change pillow cases twice as often as bed sheets.

+1

I'd like to ad that as a woman (and most women I'm sure would agree) we spent our awkward teenage years figuring out what makeup worked for us with many disasters along the way. Most women tend to know their exact shade through trial and error and are brand loyal to what works for them. The odds that you would be able to walk into some pharmacy and pick up something that would be such a good match to your skin under all different types of light are extremely unlikely IMO.

Anyway, no make up will hide the lump of the spot anyway.

I think you'd be better of seeing a skin specialist if you're that bothered by spots. I have special creams that I use if I get one that will dry it out as quickly as possible, and I think thats the way to go.

SarahMollie

One eyed Jack wrote: »

No amount of concealer will cover that level of self-consciousness tbh. Concealer is ok though if it's just the odd spot every so often, but you mention 'spots', so I would suggest having a chat with your local pharmacist about over the counter treatments that would give you long term results than concealers which can often highlight an issue rather than the intended effect.

There is a limit to what you can get in the pharmacy. As someone who struggled with their skin as a teen, I can say with confidence that if you're a real issue (beyond the occasional spot, as everyone gets that) the only way is to go see a doctor or a dermatologist.

They're the experts and can work wonders, and can prescribe medicated solutions if required.

Make up will be obvious in natural light IMO.

*I was a bit of a horror case, but got put on antiboitics and my skin cleared up amazingly well. Havent taken then in 10+ years, and now would only get the occasional spot like anyone else, if I'd been out a lot and not taking care of myself etc.

endacl

Idle Billy wrote: »

A spot can make you look so much more unattractive... and if viewed from a certain angle (the side), can interrupt the natural contour of your cheek.

If you just wore a pair of trousers like everybody else nobody would even notice the spot on your cheek.

Lux23

I wouldn't worry about the odd spot, I very rarely notice several spots on someone nevermind one so just let it breath and it will soon go away. I wish I never got into the habit of daily make up myself.