Usually, makeup products like lipsticks, concealers, and eye shadows are associated with women. However, a lot of people (irrespective of gender) have been sporting makeup to normalize its use. Case in point, David Beckham wore green eyeshadow for a magazine cover last year. Closer home, actor Ankush Bahuguna has been breaking stereotypes and sharing makeup videos on Instagram.
Yesterday, he shared photos wearing black eyeliner with the caption, “It’s not my eyeliner that scares you, it’s my freedom to wear it that scares you. You play by a rulebook and I don’t and that makes you insecure. This really isn’t about me, this is about you.”
Just a man wearing eyeliner without giving a fuck about what others think. It's not my eyeliner that scares you, it's my freedom to wear it that scares you. You play by a rulebook and I don't and that makes you insecure. This really isn't about me, this is about you. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/U7tPMYhw0z
— Ankush Bahuguna (@AnkushBahuguna) September 2, 2020
Some Twitter users appreciated his post, complimented his look, and asked him to share a tutorial on applying eyeliner perfectly. A few women remarked that they couldn’t apply eyeliner as well as he did.
Excuse me, Sir you dropped your 👑. https://t.co/sUY4twbWR9
— G⁷–››💜Fan of BB No.1 artist (@Gayatri18_0z) September 2, 2020
👉👈 not to be dramatic, butttt
may or may not have fell in love https://t.co/OsrX0CI5Jd— HeadFullOfBUTheories/IWas🤡ed30/07/2020-12pmKST (@Nilaal1) September 2, 2020
HE CAN PULL THIS LOOK OFF BETTER THAN ME❤️🥺 https://t.co/TACALLEZ18
— Prisha//Rish stan account💗 (@shutupyaaprii) September 2, 2020
This is just to appreciate @AnkushBahuguna for how he is breaking stereotypes. It’s rare to see people like you Ankush, and I really wish people change their thinking because of you! I won’t lie when I say he is the perfect role model❤️ https://t.co/jKOOaWlhuv
— supportingvickykaushal (@vickysupporterr) September 2, 2020
why can't i look this fabulous sgdjdgd unfair https://t.co/hlkAY1hl5v
— idk i hate it here :') (@_kalikaaa) September 3, 2020
You are fabulous Ankush #equality
Jo Dil kare vo Karo ♥️ it's our life 🌸 https://t.co/37II7tmoAN— Suman meena (@Sumanme29845025) September 2, 2020
Boys.. what's stopping you from looking like this https://t.co/svnKr7zCW4
— P🌼🌈 (@HPcinnamonroll) September 2, 2020
Others didn’t think it was a big deal as kajal and soorma are quite common in the Indian subcontinent with North Indian grooms applying kajal as part of the wedding customs.
ok bro its not a big deal, kajal ki toh lagaya tune https://t.co/KBARj2DzhG
— Ayushi Singh (@ayushishutup) September 3, 2020
I'm tired of South Asian millennials and Gen Z inventing problems only to pretend to be a progressive renegade. South Asian men wearing eyeliner is so entrenched in our culture that applying eyeliner to the groom is part of North Indian wedding custom. https://t.co/rjht1U9CnY
— WhatTheDickens (@WhatTheDickens6) September 3, 2020
when have men in south asia been discouraged from not wearing eyeliner omfg plssss https://t.co/EO4CZL9FQ5
— ٌ (@wiccadaze) September 3, 2020
The debate on whether Indian men wearing makeup smashes toxic masculinity or not is still ongoing but you can’t deny that his eyeliner game is strong. Not everyone can apply it equally to both eyes.