The Ethics of Middle-Aged Men in Makeup Artistry

Photo by Luca Iaconelli  https://unsplash.com/@luxdamore

As someone who spent a decade in the beauty industry, I’ve been reflecting on a question that doesn’t get talked about enough: is it ethical for middle-aged men to continue working as makeup artists, particularly when their clients are young models, sometimes teenagers? It’s a sensitive topic, but one worth exploring.

Makeup artistry is an intimate profession. It requires physical interaction—touching a model’s face, applying products, and working up close. For most people in the industry, it’s a normal, professional part of the job. But when a middle-aged man is doing makeup on like teenage girls as example, it introduces layers of complexity that we can’t ignore.

The Responsibility of Understanding

To be a good makeup artist, technical skills aren’t enough. You need to understand the mindset and emotions of the people sitting in your chair, especially women and young girls. Their feelings, boundaries, and comfort matter just as much as the final look.

This is where I start to feel uneasy. As men age, there’s a natural shift in how we’re perceived and how we interact with the world. Middle-aged men working in close proximity to young, impressionable models need to be hyper-aware of the potential for misunderstandings or discomfort. If they don’t take this seriously, it can cross into territory that feels ethically questionable—or even outright wrong.

Is Passion Enough?

I get it—some people might say, “I love makeup, and I’m just doing my job professionally.” But is loving makeup enough? Does it justify continuing to focus on the same niche for decades, even as your life and perspective evolve?

Think about other creative fields. Many photographers, for example, start their careers shooting models or fashion editorials. But over time, their focus often shifts to landscapes, street photography, or more meaningful, human-centered stories. This evolution reflects not only personal growth but also an understanding of how their craft connects to the world.

For male makeup artists who remain focused on teenage or young adult clients as they age, I can’t help but wonder: is this genuine passion, or is there a lack of introspection about the ethical implications?

What Women Feel

Let’s not forget that makeup isn’t just about artistry—it’s about the person in the chair. Young women and girls already deal with so much: societal pressures, self-esteem issues, and the vulnerability of being in a highly visual industry. As a middle-aged man, do you really understand how they feel?

This isn’t just about technical skill. It’s about empathy, respect, and ensuring your presence is never intimidating or uncomfortable. Women are not just canvases for your art; they’re people with emotions, and their comfort should always come first.

Time to Grow

I believe there comes a point when every professional should step back and ask themselves: am I growing? Am I evolving? For middle-aged men in the beauty industry, this might mean rethinking the kind of work you do. Maybe it’s time to focus on something broader—training new artists, going management side, working with mature clients, or exploring other creative avenues. Just for your convenience, models are not part of your collection to be exploited.

Sticking to youthful glamour just because it’s familiar or enjoyable can come off as stagnant or even tone-deaf. It risks signaling a lack of awareness about how your role in the industry should adapt as you grow older.

Final Thoughts

The beauty industry is built on trust, creativity, and respect. As professionals, we have a responsibility to uphold these values at every stage of our careers. Nobody wants to be seen as a psycho or a pervert—those labels can easily stick when we fail to recognize the fine line between professionalism and behavior that makes others uncomfortable.

It’s essential to reflect on how our work impacts those around us and to ensure that we never blur the line between crime and professionalism. Growing as an artist also means growing as a person.

And to male fashion photographers: don’t think this conversation doesn’t apply to you. It does—perhaps more than anyone else. If you fail to respect the power dynamics on your set, if you exploit or intimidate, you’re not just complicit—you’re culpable. There’s no excuse. Fix it, or get out.

Let’s evolve together, making this industry not just beautiful, but also ethical and safe for everyone.

Just remember, identifying when to quit is also professionalism.