Denis Karuri: Make-up Is For Everyone

Makeup artist and cross dresser Dennis Karuri now says anyone can put on make-up.

According to him, notions against make-up for men came with the advent of religion and the whites.

He asserted that religion and colonialism is the reason makeup is still considered feminine since make-up was originally African as he cited tribes whose men wore traditional make-up starting with the Maasai Morans.

“Make up is not limited to any specific group of individuals, anyone can wear makeup.” He said.

“Africans wore makeup but with the arrival of colonialism and religion certain perceptions developed such as the belief that men shouldn’t wear makeup. These systems came with the white people and religion,” Karuri added.

The makeup artist who identifies himself as female has also pointed out that for years Africans had their own form of makeup known as red ochre which was applied to hair and parts of the faces and that to date, still decorate themselves with the ochre.

“Before societal norms and systems were imposed Africans had their own culture and ways. If you are to do your research you will realize men used to apply red ochre. It was a form of beauty, identity and belonging,” he said.

The tribe known for applying ochre in their bodies to date come from Namibia known as the Himba people.

Karuri argues the society to stop casting aspersions against male make up artistes like himself.