Why man-repellent make-up is the boldest beauty statement

It's Barbie's world—and this time she isn't waving back to Ken.

The fashion and beauty worlds have long seemed to empower women, but the truth is, makeup was quietly shaped by what appeals to men—perfectly tamed eyebrows, subtle rosy cheeks, doe eyes, and soft pink lips (but not too pink). It was all engineered for the male gaze.

We see a long overdue shift now, with a steady rise in beauty trends that aim to please only (and only) the wearer. Women are reclaiming beauty as a form of expression and not validation (not the male one anyway).

Thankfully, we're seeing a much-needed shift with a rise in beauty trends that aim to please only the wearer. Women are reclaiming beauty as a form of expression and not validation (especially not from men).

“I think anything that involves a lot of colours and texture and looks very obviously like ‘makeup’ is anti-male gaze,” says Shantanu Dhope, a beauty and fashion creator on Instagram, known for his maximalist glam. “Think about graphic liners, bushy eyebrows, colourful eyeshadow and eyeliners, bleached brows etc.” 

 
These looks might not be considered pretty in the traditional sense, but they are undoubtedly powerful. They aren’t designed to impress, but to express. A declaration that beauty always belonged to the wearer and never the onlooker. Loudly. Boldly. And unapologetically. To reject the idea that beauty should ever ask for permission “I love the idea of man-repellent makeup not because it breaks the expectation that beauty must always be consumable or attractive to men. My makeup is a product of my creativity, and it does not cater to anyone but myself.” Dhope adds.

When Julia Fox steps out rocking exaggerated wings, intense smoky eyes, bleached eyebrows, and neon blue lashes, men recoil, flinch, and—of course—criticize. But women? They embrace it. They copy it, post it, and turn it into a trend. Because what’s the greatest compliment if not imitation? Case in point: weeks later, Deepika Padukone showed up with the same look—dubbed ‘raccoon eyes’ by some—and suddenly, it was everywhere.

Then there’s Doja Cat. Once adored by everyone, she lost mainstream appeal when she entered her bold new era of shaved eyebrows and a buzz cut. She doubled down, shaving her entire head and flipping the script. Here’s the thing: she’s not doing it for your attention. For Doja, beauty has always been personal, not performative.

But its not just on the red carpet, pop culture too has too, has embraced bold, expressive beauty. Remember Euphoria? Apart from the gripping storyline, the show was beloved among makeup enthusiasts, ruling every moodboard with its glam looks. Be it Zendaya's sparkly Halloween look or Maddy's casual rhinestones-lined eyes. But here's the thing, Maddy didn’t line her lids with rhinestones for Nate; it was never about him. Make-up is an art form, and for Maddy, it was also her source of confidence. Cassie, on the other hand, went all in for Nate, with her 4 am skincare routine and the bare-faced illusion of the no-makeup makeup look men swoon over. Men don't prefer women who wear too much makeup, but they also don't want someone doesn't wear any at all. They just want the illusion of “natural” beauty. 

The legacy of loud femininity

About a century ago, the 1920s flappers—who first carried the torch—started wearing bold make-up, dancing unchaperoned in scandalous outfits, chopping their hair into bobs, and indulging in ‘un-ladylike’ activities. They rejected the kind of femininity that was performative and designed solely to please men. Beauty was never a conversation; it was a monologue. After all, fashion and beauty have one rule: wear what you will and wear it with confidence.

Drag artists, often seen as outcasts, are actually the true architects of the makeup world as we know it. Their looks were never built for approval—they’re self-expression, art, armour, protest.

“For me, makeup is a form of self-expression,” says Dhope. “It’s how I showcase my creativity to the world—I don’t need to say anything, my art speaks for itself. You can look at me and know I’m a creative person. Graphic liners are essential to my looks; I love sharp, intricate designs because they reflect the skills I’ve spent years perfecting.”

Nothing threatens patriarchy more than a woman who is loud, visible, and not seeking a man’s approval. That's why reclaiming your femininity on your terms is the ultimate rebellion—one winged liner, one glitter crease, and one bright blush at a time.

Man-repellent make-up dares you to be unapologetically you; the weird, rebellious, loud, and wonderfully self-indulgent. And if that scares off men? Even better. 

Ready to play? Here are some fun picks to help you experiment with bold, fearless beauty.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - Lucky, ₹3,200

 

 

 

Sephora Collection Glitter Top Coat Mascara, ₹950

Makeup Revolution Forever Flawless Bird of Paradise Eyeshadow Palette, ₹1,750

Maybelline Sky High Glitter Mascara, ₹1,123

The Ultimate Metallic Blue Kajal Simply Nam, ₹999

Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner, ₹2,900

 

Elf Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow, ₹800

Lead image: Pexels

Also read: The coolest beauty buys you’ll want on your shelf

Also read: What is the TikTok drawstring makeup bag—and is it actually efficient?