Chanel has just announced its new makeup line for men, and everyone seems to have mixed feelings about it.
The French makeup company has made waves in the beauty industry by launching its gender-targeted line called ‘Boy De Chanel’.
The male makeup industry has been booming in Asia due to popular beauty bloggers, and this could be why Chanel has chosen to launch in South Korea before going global.
The new men’s line will include three main products:
1. A liquid foundation with spf 25
2. A matte lip balm enriched with jojoba oil and shea butter
3. A waterproof, twist-up brow pencil (available in four shades)
The products channel a sophisticated, sleek finish, promoting minimalism for men in the most suave fashion.
The Chanel line, Boy Chanel, is allegedly named for Gabrielle Chanel's first love, Boy Capel.
The company commented on the new line saying: “Lines, colours, attitudes, gestures…There is no absolutely feminine or masculine prerequisite: Style alone defines the person we wish to be.
“By creating Boy de Chanel, its first makeup line for men, Chanel reaffirms the ever-changing codes of an unchanging vision: Beauty is not a matter of gender, it is a matter of style.”
Many people agree with the new makeup line’s forward thinking. One comment raved: “It’s lovely to see something specific for men.”
However, despite the company’s gender-neutral emphasis, male beauty influencers seem to hold some resignations for the new line.
Renowned beauty blogger, Jake-Jamie, told Cosmopolitan: “I think it's amazing that brands like Chanel are bringing makeup for men to the forefront of people's minds, however I personally prefer a genderless approach to makeup. I just wish we lived in a world whereby gender boxes didn't exist.
“Why does it have to be a boy's eyebrow pencil? It's just an eyebrow pencil! Having said that, I do understand that not all men are as open about wearing makeup as perhaps I am, and this could give them the confidence to purchase makeup without feeling ashamed of doing so."
Another commenter suggested that “rather than this, I’d prefer to see more neutral packaging and more Male imagery featured across makeup marketing in general.”
So, while reviews of the new announcement are mixed, we look forward to trying out the new products for ourselves.
Reportedly, Boy De Chanel will originally be released on September 1st in South Korea.
It will then be available internationally in November via their website.
