Five Male Beauty Trends from Paris Men's Fashion Week 2020
As Paris Fashion Week proceeds onwards to Women’s Ready to Wear, it is time to recap some interesting finds at the different men’s fashion shows. The theme this year is all about pushing the boundaries of acceptable men’s grooming practices— from hair, nails, skin, and everything in between. Here are the top five trends I spotted in this year’s Fall/Winter collections.
1. Unkempt, Shoulder Length Hair
After decades of short and tidy locks dominating the runway scene, unkempt shoulder-length hair (à la Shaggy Rogers from Scooby-Doo) is the ultimate look for 2020. Models more closely resembled the free-spirited, Californian surfer dude rather than the primped and prepped gentleman to whom these fashion houses sell their products. Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Rhude, and Dries Van Noten are just a few designers supporting this look this year.
Male Model with Shoulder Length Hair for Balmain Fall/Winter 2020” / Image Credit: Balmain
2. Concealer and Blush Powder as the Norm
Although applying makeup has been a norm for women’s fashion shows, it was not until 2015 to 2016 that this practice became more prominent in men’s shows. Now it seems that there is an expectation of adding makeup on models, even for mid-range brands and showings. Awefa Stubbs, makeup artist hired for Zadig and Voltaire’s men show this year, explains:
"The trend has completely changed from just a few years ago. Before it was unheard of putting makeup on me. Now we are encouraged to do so. I would say this is apparent with skin—being as dewy and fresh as possible. We use mostly bb creams under the eyes, nothing too heavy. This is to correct dark circles. If skin tone is uneven, use of powder is applied lightly around the face. Then to finish things off, add a light spray. This is key to make it radiant. We want to achieve natural, but better skin. Clean skin.”
Male Models with Glowing Skin for Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2020” / Image Credit: Jacquemus
3. Extremely Pale, Dewy Skin
So long are the days of warm, sun-kissed skin that was super popular for men’s 2015 and 2016 runway shows. Fall/Winter 2020 is the reign of the house hermits. With extremely pale, almost near translucent skin, models strut down the runways of Hed Mayner, Dior Homme and Berluti as the color of their veins peek through their arms and limbs. Yet their skin is remarkably dewy, hydrated, and fresh— able to bounce light and soften the harsh shadows on the natural contours of the face. This type of look highlights a shift in men’s makeup from water-based to more oil-based cosmetics, as oil-based cosmetics are regularly used to achieve a dewy finish.
Male Model with Fair Skin for Hed Mayner Fall/Winter 2020” / Image Credit: Hed Mayner
4. Lack of Body Piercings
Fall/Winter 2020 showed many fascinating and different looks. Yet what was not seen as much on the runways were body modifications. There was a noticeable lack of body piercings compared with fashion shows in New York or London. This year, Dior Homme, under Kim Jones’ vision, was one of the few shows presenting models with earrings.
Male Model Showcasing Earrings on Right Ear for Dior Homme Fall/Winter 2020 / Image Credit: Dior
5. Bright Nail Polish Against Somber Colored Clothes
First seen on the Louis Vuitton runway, bright fuchsia, apple green and milky white nails contrasted pleasantly with the grays, dark blues, olives, and blacks in the collection. Although nail polish has been traditionally seen as a strictly feminine product, more and more designers have been trickling well-manicured and polished nails into their collections. It is interesting that designers are starting off with pinks and reds, two colors which, since the 1930s, have been heavily marketed to female customers by cosmetic giants like Revlon and Cutex. This blurring of men’s and women’s grooming will most likely become more apparent as the decade rolls on.
Male Model Wearing Metallic Nail Polish for Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2020 / Image Credit: Louis Vuitton
Overall, I am excited to see what will happen with men’s beauty over the next few years. As more celebrities begin to embrace new styles, I can imagine the public being more receptive to these gender-fluid trends.
