I've been doing a lot of traveling and my journey into man-watching at airports has resurfaced again. I know, here we go again...
But, the other day at a terminal, as I sat acting like I was reading a book, but strategically placed to watch the parade of male humanity parade by, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to find a couple of great looking guys with guyliner on. It was subtle and nicely done (in my opinion), but yet still obviously there. These guys were fairly macho in appearance and dress (definitely NOT on the feminine side), but there they were as young gorgeous guys wearing make up, and I couldn't take my eyes off them!
Is this now getting to be more common than just in the music scene? Is this a trend that is crossing to the metrosexuals? Am I just becoming aware of this? And why, on the right guy, do I think this is really super hot? And why, on most other guys, do I think this is really freaky?
I can't keep up...
19 comments:
Beck, I think it looks freaky on 99% of guys--and that those same guys look pretty much just as hot with or without.
There's a guy on "Gossip Girl" on the CW (yes, I just admitted to watching it...back off) who wears it. (Evidently, in the book series, he comes out as gay later on).
FWIW the Japanese have been doing it for years. I think it's EMO moving into Metro.
And no, I don't think you should start doing it, Beck, either.
(and my verifier was rbmeo--so close to finding my romeo, but no--it's rbmeo.)
So after I left my comment, I went looking around and found this article.
So, yeah. Uh.
Yeah.
Here's a how-to, and a video (supposedly of Pete Wentz--haven't watched it)
And I'm going to stop posting about this now.
Kengo: You're giving me more information than I wanted... and yes, I'm aware of the EMO guys and the Pete Wentz guys and the fallout from Pirates movies, etc.
But, these guys weren't EMO guys, and they weren't rockers or actors either. They were normal looking, macho guys in an airport terminal - totally normal, totally cool. That's what caught my eye.
And, no, I didn't say I was going to try it out, but now that you suggested it, I think I know where my wife's mascara is kept. Maybe I'll have a go of it?
"I can't keep up..."
I refuse to with this one; not even if it got so mainstream as to appear on general authorities at conference as commonly as our strange custom of tying ties around men's necks does now.
I link guyliner on me would definitely be on the creepy side :)
In Vietnam, the men are generally more feminine than in the west. Their sexuality is more fluid as well. The concept of a macho guy is just not present here. There is also a strange phenom among some of the young guys (only in Saigon) to dress like girls in full make-up and carry teddy bears! I asked about this and it seems to be a rebellion against gender roles and not a statement of sexuality.
Yes, on the right guy it does look hot. :)
Beck, just be on the lookout for my state senator, Larry Craig, and don't take any wide stances in the airport restroom!
SCOT: Ha Ha! I can just see the GAs a few years from now sporting guyliner! :)
ABE: How will you ever know unless you try?
ROBERT: Same thing I've observed in India where expressions of makeup (for a lack of better word) cross both genders.
BROR: I'm glad I'm not alone here. I mean, these guys were really hot and the guyliner put them over the top. Kengo could be right that they would have been hot without the added paint, but just the thought of pushing the limits and being so confident about it, just did something to make them even more attractive. I'm sure if (or when) this becomes more culturally acceptable (is that day coming? or has it seen its day and already is a passing fancy?) when all guys do this to one degree or another, it will be so passe' that no one will take a second look...
BRAVONE: Though I travel a lot at times and pass through many an airport, I still find the airport bathroom a very creepy place. I try to get in and get out as fast as possible...
But, thanks for the "heads-up". I'm always on the lookout. :)
And, no, I've never seen (yet) a guy freshening up and putting on his guyliner in an airport vanity mirror, either.
but just the thought of pushing the limits and being so confident about it, just did something to make them even more attractive
I'll bet this is a lot of the appeal. A guy has to have confidence to set aside society's conventions and sport the guyliner in public. A guy who's supremely confident in himself (not to be confused with arrogance) is going to be more attractive than someone with less confidence--even it it's his identical twin.
I've put on eyeliner a few times as part of a costume (for Halloween or a stage play) and really liked the look, but I haven't had the confidence to pull it off without a costume to support it.
SCOTT: You're right... I'm attracted to their supreme confidence - something that I lack in myself. I'm not envious of them getting away with wearing the makeup... I'm envious and attracted to their confidence in themselves, their self-awareness and self-assuredness - again, not to be confused with arrogance or superiority.
So, how do I get some of their confidence?
I'm not generally a very confident person, so I'm not the one to ask for advice...
But I used to watch Queer Eye, where Carson Kressley always told their project of the week that looking good would give him confidence. I can't afford couture and I'm still trying to find that innate fashion sense that gay guys are supposed to have, but when I do manage to put together an outfit that makes me look great, I feel unstoppable.
It may be shallow, trite and cliché, but I think there's some truth to the idea that "the clothes make the man."
Beck,
I finally took the plunge! Check it out.
http://luckynowandthen.blogspot.com/
Bravone
I agree with Kengo. Freaky, and makes no difference if a guy already looks good. At the risk of sounding too serious, it seems to me there's enough gratuitous gender-bending already that contributes to irrational prejudice, and I don't think guyliner, etc. helps reverse that trend very much.
SCOTT: Appearance is important and can contribute to our self-confidence... just so that it doesn't become THE most important aspect of who we are.
ALAN: It probably doesn't help the larger misconceptions and irrational prejudices abroad, but from this side of the table, it's certainly interesting to watch.
BRAVONE: You did it! Auguri e benvenuto fratello mio!
Love your blog, Im still not sure if I would wear it or not i made a blog here about what is guyliner? Take a look if you like :)
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