"It’s about texture… and texture doesn’t have a race."
In the days following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the despair being shared by so many also served to propel Rodrick Samuels, a barber, educator, and owner, into action.
New perceptions of gender--more specifically, the greater acceptance of gender fluidity and things like choosing your personal pronoun — have opened the door to men’s acceptance of more traditionally feminine products and services. However, the marketing of cosmetics for men still retains a heavily masculine sensibility, but this is changing.
Before you click a camera, know this: why are you creating the images? The success of a photoshoot hinges on your answer. Even if it’s just for fun, set a goal or purpose and stay focused to attain good results, otherwise, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel—you might get a nice photo, you might not.
In planning our photo shoot, we asked the question: men with makeup, what is it? They have to be men who wear cosmetics for a more significant reason than to cover up a pimple. They want to look better and maintain an air of naturalness. It has to complement their lifestyle, I said to the team.
Visit the War Paint store and you’ll find more than makeup: A fresh trim from the mental health non-profit Lions Barber Collective, bespoke products made for your skin while you wait, an interactive virtual makeup conversation with Founder Danny Gray and much more.