My Husband Started Wearing Makeup — Now Everyone’s Mocking Me

A young woman found herself at a difficult crossroads, torn between supporting her husband’s journey of self-expression and dealing with the relentless judgment from those around them. When he began wearing makeup, she remained steadfast in her support, proud of his authenticity. However, the mounting pressure from friends and family soon became too much to bear. In a moment of desperation, she made a drastic decision that would forever alter the dynamics of their relationship.

Helen sent us her message.

“A few months ago, my husband — who has always embodied ‘traditional masculinity’ — began experimenting with makeup. It started off modestly, with just a hint of concealer, but soon progressed into elaborate routines featuring contouring, foundation, and eyeliner for every occasion.

Initially, I supported him. I believed in his right to express himself, and I didn’t want to stifle his newfound confidence. But things changed when the whispers and laughter started. Friends, family, and even coworkers began questioning me instead of him. ‘How could she let him do this?’ ‘Isn’t she embarrassed?’ It felt as though his choices were a reflection of me, and despite my best efforts to support him, the ridicule from others became unbearable.”

“The turning point came one night when I snapped. After a particularly tough day when I had been the subject of too many jokes, I came home, saw his makeup on the bathroom counter, and something inside me broke. I threw it all away. Every single product. Concealer, foundation, brushes — gone.

When he came home and saw what I had done, I braced myself for anger, even a confrontation. But instead, an agonizing silence filled the room. He simply stared at me, and in that moment, I understood the damage I had inflicted — not just on his makeup, but on his sense of self.

Now, I’m left grappling with the question of whether I made the right choice. I didn’t discard his makeup to hurt him; I acted out of desperation, hoping it might put an end to the ridicule and protect us both from the relentless judgment of others. Instead, I may have shattered something far more crucial: his trust in me and his ability to embrace his true self.”

What Helen can do here.

It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed by your husband’s makeup use, especially when external judgment starts to impact your self-esteem. Here are several strategies to help you navigate the pressure from others while continuing to support your partner:

• Set boundaries: When the ridicule from friends or family becomes overwhelming, it can be helpful to establish clear boundaries. You might explain how their constant criticism affects you and ask them to respect your partner’s choices. Upholding these boundaries is essential for protecting both your relationship and your mental well-being.
• Open communication: It’s crucial to have an open dialogue with your husband about how public reactions are impacting you. Approach the conversation with vulnerability, expressing your feelings without assigning blame. This approach can strengthen your bond and ensure that you’re both aligned in your support for one another, even amidst external criticism.

• Practice self-care: It’s vital to prioritize your mental well-being. Engage in activities that enhance your confidence and self-esteem, helping you reinforce your sense of self, especially in the face of criticism. Focus on what empowers you and aligns with your personal values.
• Reframe external judgment: Work on shifting your perspective by recognizing that much of the criticism you encounter stems from other people’s discomfort rather than your actions or relationship. Understanding that their judgments are often rooted in their own biases can help you release the negative weight you’ve been carrying, allowing you to navigate the situation with greater ease.

Another woman wrote to our editorial, sharing a tale that could easily rival the plot of a gripping detective film. She discovered a hair comb in her husband’s car—one that didn’t belong to her. This unexpected find ignited suspicions of infidelity, but what transpired next turned out to be far more bizarre than she could have imagined.