Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Beauty Brands Rethink Endorsements With Male Celebrities for Impact
Imagine you want to sell a new toy.
Usually, you'd have a famous girl show it off.
But what if you had a famous boy show it off instead?
Some makeup companies are doing this because the famous girls cost a LOT of money, and sometimes, a boy showing off makeup can be more surprising and get more people talking!
It's like trying a new flavor of ice cream that no one expects – it makes people curious.
This new way isn't just about saving money, but about being new and interesting, showing that makeup is for anyone.
It's like saying, 'Hey, this lipstick is so good, even this guy tested it!'
It’s a new way for brands to be seen and remembered by people who want something different and real.
Beauty brands are reconsidering celebrity endorsements due to high fees for top actresses.
MyGlamm's lipstick campaign featuring Sidharth Malhotra, #TestedOnSid, challenged traditional beauty norms.
Experts suggest using male celebrities in beauty campaigns is a strategic move for relevance and cutting through market clutter.
This shift is seen as an evolution in marketing, focusing on originality and inclusivity rather than just gender fluidity.
Similar strategies have been successful in other categories like jewellery, highlighting emotional connection over predictable endorsements.
- Who
- Beauty brands in India, including MyGlamm, and marketing experts.
- What
- A shift in celebrity endorsement strategies, with some beauty brands opting for male celebrities to increase impact and cut through market clutter.
- When
- Currently, with implications for the future of beauty marketing.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Soaring fees of top actresses, the need for market differentiation, and a desire for originality and emotional resonance with consumers.
Traditional View
Evolved Marketing
Celebrity Endorsement Strategy
Traditional View
Focus on female celebrities in beauty and jewellery categories due to established norms.
Evolved Marketing
Utilizing male celebrities to create buzz, cut through clutter, and offer fresh perspectives, even in traditionally female-dominated categories.
Reason for Shift
Traditional View
Driven primarily by budget considerations due to soaring actress fees.
Evolved Marketing
Driven by strategic relevance and the need for originality to capture audience attention, not just cost savings.
Impact of Male Celebrities
Traditional View
May be seen as a disruption or trend-chasing.
Evolved Marketing
Rooted in genuine emotional resonance, representing diverse roles and widening the appeal of brands.
- Actress Fees (India)
- Rs 1.5-3 crore per ad shoot
- Brand
- MyGlamm
- Product
- Lipstick
- Campaign Title
- #TestedOnSid
- Endorser
- Sidharth Malhotra
- Key Campaign Message
- Tested on Sid, never on animals