12 Male Celebs Who Enjoy Wearing Makeup
Andrew Thornton Quick Links
Men wearing makeup in showbiz is nothing new. It’s actually a necessity because TV cameras often distort the natural features of an actor or singer. So because of that, it’s quite customary for even the most masculine celebs to throw on a little makeup and do various touch- ups here and there to make sure they look their best on screen. With that said, there are a handful of male celebs who don’t wear makeup because they have to – they do it because they absolutely love to. In the following list, we single out twelve men, who have no problem slapping on makeup to enhance their innate features. Not to say there is anything wrong with that – “different strokes for different folks” - we can all do what we want and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy the list below ….
Adam Lambert:
The 32-yr-old Adam Lambert has done really well for himself. Considering that he wasn’t even the winner of the American Idol cycle he appeared in, it’s commendable how he’s been able to carve out a solid career for himself. His genre of music can be considered as pop, pop rock or glam rock, and he certainly has the image to pull it off. Lambert is very particular about his looks and he’s not shy to enhance his handsome features with all kinds of makeup. He also uses a lot of product in his hair too, so every strand is always perfectly coiffed and in place. No wonder he named his first world tour Glam Nation – it doesn’t get more glam than Mr. Lambert.
Jared Leto:
It’s very rare for a Hollywood actor to also be successful in music, but that’s exactly what the multi-talented Jared Leto has been able to accomplish. The impressive thing about Leto is that he’s extremely effective in both lanes; he wins Oscar awards when he does big movies (Dallas Buyers Club) and with his band 30 Seconds To Mars, he sells out large venues all over the world. Leto also loves wearing his makeup –it doesn’t matter whether he’s performing with his rock band or playing the role of a transgender woman in Dallas Buyers Club. One thing’s for sure, the ladies still scream and shout for him whether he’s all done up in makeup or not.
AJ Mclean (Backstreet Boys):
Do you remember the mid-90s when the Backstreet Boys were absolutely running the music industry? They ushered in a Boy Band generation that perhaps got a little out of hand, but for that era, they were the coolest act in town. It’s actually quite interesting that groups like The Backstreet Boys are still around and touring till this day. These boy band members may have gotten a little older, had a couple of kids, and sport more tattoos and makeup (yes you, AJ McLean), but they are still able to make a decent living off their craft. There is enough money out there for everybody, even if you’re a boy band singer from the ‘90s. We can all raise a toast to that.
Brandon Flowers:
Brandon Flowers is often considered as one of the most handsome rockers in the industry. His band The Killers exploded onto the scene in 2004 with the album Hot Fuss, and it had major smash singles like “Somebody Told Me”, “Smile Like You Mean It” and “Mr. Brightside.” The LP sold millions of records and the album won 5 Grammy awards. Flowers is known and loved for his energetic stage performances and yes, his love for wearing makeup too. Over the years, he has probably toned it down a tad, but back in the day, there wasn’t an eyeliner/mascara counter that he wouldn’t naturally gravitate to.
Marilyn Manson:
It takes a lot of dedication and discipline to stay in character and create an image as impactful as that of Marilyn Manson. During the late 90s era, Manson was certainly the unrivaled leader of the shock rock/goth rock era. His videos for songs like “Beautiful People” can be considered as cinematic works of art, and his pale white facial make-up with jarring red lipstick added to his unforgettable stage presence. Almost 15 years later, Manson is currently dabbling in acting in addition to his music. He can be seen making cameos on the hit cable show Sons of Anarchy. It’s actually hard to recognize him on the show, because he’s not wearing all the makeup he’s usually known for. But hey, I guess we all have to grow up sometime.
Johnny Depp:
Johnny Depp is certainly one of the leading actors of his generation. If you are looking for an actor with amazing scope and depth, it will be hard to find anyone better. From movies like Blow and Edward Scissorhands to Donnie Brasco and Public Enemies, he constantly proves that he can tackle any role and bring his unique perspective to it. He is also a celeb that doesn’t mind wearing makeup at all. Just watch some of his movies like: Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice In Wonderland or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and you’ll see eyeliner, face concealer and blush galore. Even when he’s not acting, he’s been known to wear nail polish and eyeliner too. He has always been an eclectic and original individual, so his makeup penchant fits perfectly with his character.
Dave Navarro:
Navarro is one of those personalities who seems to have been around forever. Oh, and he’s also the second personality on the list to guest star on the FX outlaw show, Sons of Anarchy. He has been a guitarist for iconic rock bands like Jane’s Addiction (with Perry Ferrell) and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and he has an unmistakable image too. Most often, you’ll catch him wearing makeup with his long hair and accompanying tattoos. He certainly fits the image of a modern day LA rocker. Speaking of tattoos, he’s also the host of the reality cable show Ink Master.
Boy George:
Boy George can be considered as the godfather of the modern Glam Pop movement. He emerged in the late 70s and early 80s with his R&B and reggae infused pop sound. No one will ever forget his global hits like “Time” and ‘Karma Chameleon.” He’s always maintained his androgynous , glammed-out image, and even though he’s been through bouts of heroin abuse and addiction to other controlled substances, he continues to perform even till this day. At the age of 53, Boy George is still one of the most original pop artists to ever grace a stage.
Steven Tyler:
Steven Tyler is one of the elite classic rock heroes still alive and working today. As the lead singer and frontman of the iconic group Aerosmith, he has won several awards and accolades, and sold a ton of records along the way. When it comes to his image and fashion sense, it’s fair to say that Steven Tyler has no boundaries. He is known for wearing his hair long and dramatic (with highlights and curls or even with feathers and braids), he opts for wild outfits with ultra-skinny silhouettes and outrageous prints, and he tends to wear makeup and nail polish like a drag queen in a cabaret show. But it all works for his bold persona, and at the age of 66, he’s still going strong. He’ll probably be rocking hard till he’s well over a 100 years old.
Jay Manuel:
If you’ve ever watched the successful Tyra Banks show Top Model, then you are already familiar with the Canadian makeup artist Jay Manuel aka Mr. Jay. He has been part of the show since the very beginning and he’s one of the main coaches charged with whipping up potential pretty newcomers into fierce top models. If there is such a thing as a man who could be described as “overly” handsome – it would be Mr. Jay. With his frosted platinum hair tips, Ronaldo-like sculpted features and perfectly applied makeup, this is one gentleman that can hold his own in the pages of Vogue magazine any day of the week.
Billie Joe Armstrong:
At the relatively young age of 42, Billie Joe Armstrong has lived more than a lifetime in the limelight. He's the founder and frontman of the punk rock group Green Day, and since the band's formation in 1987, it has enjoyed a lot of success and had countless hits. One of their signature songs "Time of Your Life" is probably one of the most memorable rock songs ever made. Billie Joe is definitely a rebel on the stage and in real life, and his spiky hair and facial makeup add to his distinct look. The band has been nominated for induction into the Rock Hall of Fame for 2015, so we definitely wish them luck.
Pete Wentz:
Pete Wentz is one of those polarizing personalities in the realm of pop rock. You get two reactions usually when you mention his name. People either really love him and his music, or it's the exact opposite, they just can't stand him. He has definitely added a lot to the music industry and his record label signed mega-selling bands like Panic at the Disco & Gym Class Heroes. He also has a unique fashion sensibility, and wearing makeup and nail polish are big parts of his style arsenal.
