Men now wearing make-up, thanks to K-pop
The rise of K-pop has driven the use of make-up products among men, says industry experts and make-up stylists. And no, they are “straight” men.
A men’s grooming store in Singapore, WhatHeWants has seen a rapid rise in sales in the last three years.
Last year alone, the men’s grooming store has seen a rise of 20 percent from its make-up sales, which is 10 percent of its total sales, a rise of 3 percent from the previous year.
The store’s general manager, Mr. Tan Seng Hwee said that “K-pop is everywhere,” including on the Internet, TV and magazines.
“With such media influence, many guys do want to look like K-pop stars.
“They are looking for quick and easy ways to achieve instant results for flawless skin, and using men’s make-up products can achieve this.”
WhatHeWants’ most popular make-up products among men were concealer, foundation and eyebrow mascara.
According to cosmetic store M.A.C, senior artist Beno Lim says that for every 10 customers, two or three are now men. Just five years ago, there were hardly any.
“This trend is likely to continue in the coming years,” he adds. “The influence of Korean and Japanese music and movies is really great.
“Looking good doesn’t just apply to the women any more.”
These were not the only industry experts who have noticed the growing trend among men. Make-up veterans Andy lee and Ivy Chen also credited K-pop for the growing use of male make-up products.
Andy Lee, who has been in the make-up industry for over 25 years, said, “K-pop stars are stylish, flamboyant and have flawless skin. Who doesn’t want to look like them?”
Loading ...The veteran also noted that social attitudes towards men wearing make-up were changing.
Ivy Chen said that young teenagers liked to copy their male idols and that it wasn’t “sissy” to put on make up. Chen also said that there was less of a social stigma against male make up nowadays.
“Young men are also paying more attention to grooming and don’t think it’s ‘sissy’ to put on make-up,” she said.
Charles Loo, a 23 year-old student in Singapore, said that he first started using make-up last year, after he was first introduced to K-pop three years ago.
The student, said make-up made him feel “confident,” and that he tried to recreate the funky hairstyles and polished looks in K-pop.
Loo’s five minute daily routine consists of eyeliner, concealers and contouring powder, which he buys from The Face Shop and Too Faced.
Charles Loo, who uses make-up daily, says his inspiration is 2PM’s Nichkhun. Image: The Straits Time
His inspiration is K-popster Nichkhun Horvejkul from 2PM, whom he says looks “suave and macho.”
Charles Lee said that he family said his complexion looked “better,” and when he uploaded photos online, his friends say that he looks “handsome” and “beautiful.”
“The compliments encourage me,” he says.
But there are also friends who find make-up for men “gay,” though he denies that he is. He says make-up also helps him with women.
Read the full article at The Straits Time.
Has time changed? Is it acceptable now for men to wear make-up? And men, would you ever wear make-up? Let us know in the comments.
2PM’s Junho suffers with back injury during rehearsals for Asia tour
Member of 2PM, JunHo, has shown his fighting spirit despite his back injury.
On November 17, the representative of 2PM’s agency talked to MyDaily, “when promotions were finished yesterday, Junho had back injury during the rehearsal” and announced, “his participation on the performance will be decided according to his condition”
After that, they complimented him saying, “maybe, as it is the beginning of the Asian Tour, he was willing to show all the preparations to this event”
On the afternoon of September 17, 2PM will open their second Asian Tour 2PM Asia Tour What Time is it?. After that, the tour will continue through Indonesia and others countries.
At this concert, Nichkhun, Taecyeon and Junho will show their own composition songs. Previously, Nichkhun who was caught in an accident with a motorcycle with alcohol concentration of 0,056%, will join the group after 4 months of absence.
Source: News&Photo: MyDaily
2PM releases audio teasers for the 2012 2PM LIVE TOUR “What Time Is It?”
2PM has released six new audio previews to promote each individual member’s solo stage song for the 2012 2PM LIVE TOUR “What Time Is It?”. Each song is distinguishable from the others as the contrasts in style and genre are quite apparent.
The first song releases was Wooyoung‘s solo debut track SEXY LADY. Up next was Junho‘s rock-pop number titled Just a Feeling. Following suit was Taecyeon‘s song It’s Time. The last three teasers were unveiled within the same hour: Jun. K‘s smooth rap track Alive, Chansung‘s slow jam number Love You Down and last but not least Nichkhun‘s English track Let It Rain.
Check out the audio teasers below:
Sources: (News & Videos) – 2pm Facebook, 2pm (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) YouTube
Nichkhun will be active once again starting with 2PM’s Asia tour
Unfortunately, due to driving under the influence in July 2012, 2PM member Nichkhun refrained from being active in the music industry. But, on November 17, Nichkhun will join the rest of the 2PM members for their 2nd tour in Shanghai.
Since the accident, it will have been 4 months since he’s been out of the scene. His agency JYP Entertainment has been releasing photos from November 6, starting with Taecyeon for the concert photos of the members individually, and planned to release Nichkhun’s individual poster last on November 11.
The tour, titled ‘What Time is it?‘ will start in Shanghai, moving into Indonesia, and making its way to many other stops in Asia.
After his apology, Nichkhun has been spending some self-disciplinary time by doing community service.
Source: (News+Photo)-Osen Chosun.com
2PM’s Nichkhun gives back to the community
Shunned by the public for driving under the influence, 2PM‘s Nichkhun has chosen to compensate for his accident by volunteering at a welfare center during his time off.
JYP Entertainment announced on the 7th of September that Nichkhun personally chose to volunteer as he believed that it was his responsibility. The agency shared that he had been visiting the children from the center for two weeks already. A representative from JYP revealed that Nichkhun had intentions to continue volunteering:
“It was his decision. He wanted to do volunteer work in quiet and to keep it quiet. He will continue his volunteer work for a while. He doesn’t have any special plan except for that.”
Sources: News – Star News; Photo – followkhun
