The Perfect Gentleman Issue 2 - April 2016 | Page 54

The Perfect Lady ’I wear makeup for big events,’’ he explains, ‘’Applying makeup is like working on a live canvas, which is awesome. Applying naturallooking makeup makes me feel like I’ve improved myself.’’ Though it may make a man feel better about himself, Ross believes that makeup will solely be worn by city-dwellers. He believes that men will express themselves through makeup in cities, but not in smaller centres. So, if the makeup and skincare standards of beauty are limited by location, they cannot be universal. The standard of male beauty remains elusive. Interior Beauty Is masculine beauty something we see, something we can touch, or is it something intangible? Beauty exists in a man with an open heart, as much as there is beauty in the man fearless enough to emotionally express himself. Damian Romeo says that strong men should come together, decide to take the road less travelled, and show a spectrum of emotion. Certainly, a part of male beauty is the ability to be in touch with one’s feelings. Equally as beautiful are kind and sensitive men, men who are self-aware, men with a sense of fun and a sense of humour, and men who respect themselves, other people, animals, and the planet. So is it a kind heart and respect for nature? Or is it muscles, shoulder-enhancing clothes, or good grooming practices that make men beautiful? I think we can agree that the concept of male beauty is complex and difficult to define – after all, it really is in the eye of the beholder. Men’s beauty is subjective, which makes it difficult to settle on just one concept, but there is one common thread that connects it all. There is only one thing that overrides the frivolity of fashion, clothing fads, hairstyle trends, and grooming methods: confidence. Any man can take care of himself and wear the latest fashions, but if he’s not confident, it won’t be authentic. Confident people are by far the most attractive. Confidence is certainty and the belief in oneself. It drives us to success; it is the conviction and the sense of pride that what we’ve chosen to do is the right thing. Confidence comes from the inside and manifests on the outside. Confidence is pure, it is real, and it is powerful. It is confidence at the root of male beauty. by Leah Morrigan 54