If you pride yourself on keeping up to date with all the newest beauty offerings, you may be aware that Chanel is launching a new makeup range - this time around, however, it's targeted solely at men.
The Instagram account, FYI Beauty, revealed that the legendary fashion house is releasing a makeup line called "Boy De Chanel", and the range will reportedly include a foundation, eyebrow pencils and lip balm.
While some parties hailed the launch as a step in the right direction, as it is acknowledging that men can and do wear cosmetics, others questioned why makeup needs to be gendered in the first place.
The campaign is allegedly being fronted by the South Korean actor, Lee Dong-Wook, and it's expected to launch in Korea in November, before it's rolled out globally in Chanel boutiques from January 2019.
Chanel aren't the first brand to launch a male makeup line - Tom Ford already has one - featuring a concealer stick which comes in three different shades. It is, however, part of a larger movement which has seen an increase in the representation of men wearing cosmetics. While brands like Tom Ford and now Chanel have had a hand in this, it's more down to the influence of social media stars, and companies such as L'Oreal Paris, who have started to use men to front their campaigns.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan, male beauty blogger, Jake-Jamie, shared his thoughts on the collection. "I think it's amazing that brands like Chanel are bringing makeup for men to the forefront of people's minds, however I personally prefer a genderless approach to makeup. I just wish we lived in a world whereby gender boxes didn't exist."
"Why does it have to be a boy’s eyebrow pencil? It’s just an eyebrow pencil!" he continued, before pointing out that some men may not feel comfortable buying makeup that's specifically marketed to just women. "Having said that, I do understand that not all men are as open about wearing makeup as perhaps I am, and this could give them the confidence to purchase makeup without feeling ashamed of doing so."
In an ideal world, he believes that "beauty brands would simply create a new product for all sexes and promote the launch via the use of both male and female models, in campaigns and at point of sale.
According to FYI Beauty, "Boy De Chanel" has three products as of now. The foundation claims to have a long-wearing and lightweight formula which is "virtually invisible", thanks to its fluid texture which leaves skin looking clear and luminous. It has SPF 25 to protect from UV rays, and will be available in eight shades.
The dual-ended eyebrow pencil allows you to shade and define your brows. It lasts eight hours and is comprised of emollient oils which allow the pigment to slide on evenly. It comes in four different colours.
Lips will be nourished for eight hours with the moisturising and light balm which is made with antioxidant-rich vitamins.
