Over time, I truly believe that as a society we have come a long way in breaking away from concrete stereotypes and in moving in the direction of inclusivity and acceptance, even if we still have a ways to go. In the makeup industry, this societal change has been reflected. Today, there is no limit to what can be created with makeup, and we no longer have to play by outdated rules.
Makeup was first used for purposes that we might not recognize as much today. In its earliest recorded use, it was applied by royalty to show their social ranking. From the beginning of the Roman Empire until the mid twentieth century, makeup was used as a product to make people, more specifically women, more beautiful. The video above features a recreation of a tutorial that demonstrates the values placed on makeup in the early twentieth century. However, things began to shift in the middle and end of the 1900s. People began to experiment with makeup, and this led to an explosion of creativity that has intensified more since that time.
The idea that, “There are no rules to makeup,” from NikkieTutorials effectively describes the attitude that upcoming generations feel about makeup. Today, there are no rules to who can pick up an eyeshadow brush and start creating. No matter what age or gender you are, you can dive into the makeup community. In fact, some of today’s most influential makeup artists are young teens, children, and men. From the social media famous Jeffree Star and James Charles to celebrity makeup artists like Mario Dedivanovic and even popular preteen bloggers like Reuben de Maid, the makeup world has diversified drastically.
Not only has the diversity in artists increased, but the room for creativity and freedom to achieve complex and colorful pieces has broadened. Makeup does not have to be natural. It does not have to be used solely for the purpose of hiding blemishes and conforming to beauty standards. Today artists are free to recreate paintings or famous characters, experiment with special effects at home, wear bold and bright colors, and transform into anything that they desire. Makeup can be for fun, or you can make a career out of experimenting with makeup. Social media influencers can create platforms on YouTube and Instagram to showcase their talents and create tutorials for an enormous audience. Some influencers go on to even create makeup products in collaboration with larger brands to sell to their online followers.
Throughout the years, people have become more accepting in the makeup and beauty community. Gender stereotypes are no longer relevant, and makeup can be used in any way that people desire. I feel very lucky to be part of such a diverse and creative community, and I am excited to see how far it can go in years to come. Comment down below something you love about this community, or something that you were surprised to learn!
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably always had trouble finding a balance between forgetting or completely skipping your skincare routine and going overboard with the routine, leading to irritated skin. So, today I’m here to share with you a basic routine that should take less than fifteen minutes to complete. I’ve found that if you’re not taking an excessive amount of time out of your day to complete a skincare routine, you’re much more likely to actually complete it. Now, below is what I have found to be an easy and effective routine.
This step is only necessary if you choose to wear makeup. If you do not, you can skip this step. Begin by removing your makeup. I would recommend that you either use a liquid cleanser with circular cloths or makeup remover wipes, as these are easy to take with you if you’re on the go. If you have sensitive skin, make sure that the product you choose to use for this task is specifically made for sensitive skin, as many makeup removers contain harsh chemicals or oils that can disrupt the already fragile balance in your skin.
Next, use a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover product or pore-clogging cells. My favorite cleanser is made by Mario Badescu, because it does not have any harsh chemicals and does not cause irritation in my skin. You can use any brand, however I do not recommend using any product that has very potent chemicals or overwhelming scents, as these can do more harm than good. When drying your face after washing, use patting motions with a gentle towel. Do NOT rub your skin, as it can cause micro-tears and inflammation.
After cleansing, an important step that many people forget is the use toner. Toner is a liquid that removes excess oil and skin cells that are leftover, which returns it to its natural acidic pH. This is important because it preps the skin for the hydrating products that will follow. It is incredibly important to invest in a quality toner, as some are incredibly drying and can cause absolute disaster. I urge you to read the chemicals in a toner before purchasing it. If it contains high percentages of alcohol and astringent, I would suggest looking for another option. To use toner, apply the liquid to a circular pad or cotton round, and gently swipe it around your skin.
Following toner, serum is another often forgotten step to skincare. Serums often help with firming of the skin, and can also add in essential vitamins. Many people who use serums opt for Vitamin C formulas, as they are know to make the skin appear more hydrated and youthful. To use serums, you can drop the product directly onto your face and then distribute it using clean hands, or apply a few drops to your fingertips first and then spread the product.
Last but certainly not least, a complete skincare routine ALWAYS includes moisturizer. It is absolutely a necessity to having healthy and hydrated skin. Moisturizer is another product that can either help or harm your skin depending on which product you purchase. Make sure that you choose a moisturizer that is formulated for your skin type, or you will likely disrupt your skin’s balance and cause further issues. To apply moisturizer, you can simply use your fingertips to make sure of even distribution.
I hope that this guide was helpful to you. Comment down below which products you use in your skincare routine, or what your favorite brands are!
For almost six years of my life, I have been at constant battle with my skin. I have struggled with my acne, searching frantically for a way to escape from it. During this ongoing grapple, I have learned just a few things about skincare that might just have the ability to help someone else facing the same situation. Though I am no expert at all, I have tried just about every treatment or trick in the book and found a few solid tools that have worked for me. Though there is little control that we have over whether we are genetically predisposed to acne, I have conveniently composed group of a few tricks that can help reduce inflammation and combat skin issues in general.
First, and in my opinion most importantly, learn your skin type. There are generally four main skin types which are categorized as normal, dry, oily, and combination. Normal skin is typically well-balanced, healthy appearing, has few blemishes, and barely visible pores. Dry skin often has rough or flaky patches, less elasticity, and almost invisible pores. Oily skin often appears shiny, has the most severe breakouts, and has very visible pores. Combination skin is also prone to breakouts, but may also contain dry patches or redness and can be easily irritated. Understanding your skin type can make it easier to understand which products to purchase for your skincare routine. Many products are labelled based on skin type and are made to specifically target issues with each individual skin type.
Next, hydration is absolutely essential to maintaining a good complexion. You’ve probably been told before that drinking lots of water is the number one way to fight acne and other skin conditions. While it is very helpful, if you’re only hydrating on the inside, you are missing an incredibly important step in your skincare routine. One of the best things you can do for your skin is hydrate on the outside too. Invest in a high quality moisturizer. This will not only hydrate your skin, but it will reduce redness and inflammation.
Another highly overlooked tip to obtaining the best skin possible is avoiding contaminants. By this I mean a few things. First, stop touching your face. By doing so you are transferring bacteria and unwanted oils to your already fragile balance. Not only this, but you could be irritating your skin further. Next, if you wear makeup you should always, and I mean always, take it off before you go to sleep. Letting product sit on your skin overnight provides opportunity for your pores to clog up and become irritated. I would recommend beginning by using makeup remover to take off any unwanted product. After this, use a gentle face wash to remove anything you may have missed. Finish with a toner and follow with moisturizer.
Having clear, healthy skin may seem difficult to obtain when you feel as though you cannot fight your genetics. However, if you get to know your skin, keep it hydrated inside and out, and avoid foreign contaminants and irritants, it can make a world of a difference. If you have struggled with skincare and feel like this post has helped you, comment below and let me know! If you have any tips of your own, feel free to add those as well!
Though a vast majority of people who use makeup are unaware of its diverse uses and styles, they do in fact exist. One of the most complex and interesting styles of makeup is drag. Since I began my journey with makeup, I’ve been absolutely fascinated by drag and its incredible community.
So, what exactly is drag? Well, drag can be summarized as an art form that combines cross-dressing, musical talent, flamboyant attitude, and stunningly detailed makeup. In recent years, more awareness has been brought to the public about the drag community thanks to the media. Television shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and social media influencers have used their platforms to broadcast the drag community and reach makeup lovers. Often, beauty influencers gain inspiration from drag artists and learn new techniques to further their skill sets. If you’re not involved in the beauty community, there are a few things that are important to know about drag.
First, there are two main types of drag artists: drag kings and drag queens. The more commonly known of the two, drag queens, are most often defined as men who perform in costume and makeup to portray women. This however does not mean that women cannot be drag queens, but it is far less common. There are many famous drag queens with absolutely remarkable talent, such as RuPaul, Aquaria, and Sharon Needles. Drag kings are essentially the opposite of drag queens, as they are often women who cross-dress and use makeup to portray a male character. Some incredibly talented drag kings include Damien D’Luxe, Landon Cider, and Chiyo Gomes.
Next, its essential to understand what exactly being a drag performer consists of. Often before shows, there is an extensive process that performers go through to transform into their characters. This can include techniques such as gluing down eyebrows to create a clean base to draw on new brows in the desired shape and location, usage of highly pigmented and full coverage foundations and concealers to hide anything that artists might need to (such as facial hair and natural eyebrows), creating desired body shapes out of certain materials (like curves of a woman out of certain types of cushion), styling outfits, and creating illusions for specific facial or bodily features through the medium of contouring. During performances, drag artists often combine aspects of theatre, music, and dance to entertain and captivate audiences. Some drag performers participate in competitions such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, as previously mentioned. Others may even be featured in online tutorials for well-known companies in order to promote certain products.
No matter how little or how much you know about drag, you cannot deny the raw talent and absolute dedication of these artists. If you are new to the world of drag, hopefully you have been able to gain an appreciation for this type of art. I do, however, have a question for you. Would you ever try drag? Comment below and let me know!
Special effects makeup has been around for nearly a century now. Its first debuts were in films like Dracula and Frankenstein in the early 1930s. Have you ever wondered where it all began? The answer is much simpler than you may think, as it all started with a few basic products, like spirit gum, putty, and wax. Through the years, it has evolved into an incredibly complex art form.
The 1930s
One of the most classic and beloved horror movies of all time is Frankenstein. The well-known appearance of stitches, mismatched body parts, and abnormal facial features were all made possible by special effects makeup. The artist for the film, Jack Pierce, used layers of cotton and spirit gum to create the effect of patchwork that appeared realistic, yet exaggerated enough to make the character seem inhuman. At the time, this was a significant breakthrough in makeup, as it had never been seen before.
The 1970s
In 1973, The Exorcist, one of the most iconic and terrifying films of the century was released. It featured a twelve year old girl whose character was possessed by a demonic spirit, and the horrifying story of how her family attempted to free her from it. The makeup in this film, done by Dick Smith and consisting of scar wax, fake blood, prosthetics, and body paints came together to create her gruesome, sickly, and gaunt appearance. Prosthetics were incredibly new technology and allowed artists to work on makeup looks in larger portions at a time to ensure a smooth and realistic appearance. This also make assembly much more timely and simple. These products revolutionized the industry of fx makeup and shocked audiences and changed the game for many artists.
Today
Artists like Abby Roberts and “Glam and Gore” use everyday cosmetics in combination with prosthetics and scar wax to create more complex looks than ever before. Tutorials for special effects makeup are readily available to the public thanks to social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. This has helped to spread the love for this art form to larger audience, and create opportunity for more complex looks. The industry will continue to grow and hopefully flourish as time goes on.
With Halloween approaching, I encourage you to try special effects makeup. Let your imagination take over, and most importantly, have fun! What will you create?
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Works Cited:
Sreeves. “The History of Special Effects Makeup.” The History Of, 3 Nov. 2015, fms507sreevesgbravenewworld.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-history-of-special-effects-makeup.html.
As a toddler, I remember waking up early each day to watch my mother get ready for work. She’d always wake up at around five in the morning, brew a cup of hazelnut coffee, toast and butter a blueberry bagel, turn on the country music station on our radio, curl her hair, and finally, begin her makeup routine. I would watch in bewilderment as she applied an array of colors to her eyelids and lips, and as she enhanced her best features. I would sometimes borrow her lip gloss or brightly-colored eye shadows and pretend to be her. When I was around the age of seven, I got my first children’s makeup kit, filled with copious amounts of glittery substances, lots of vibrant blushes, and very sheer lipsticks. Needless to say, makeup has fascinated me since I was very young.
Throughout elementary and middle school, I was often bullied by my peers and struggled to find my place. I became an easy target when I started having trouble with breakouts and redness. After a short while, I confided in my mother about these struggles, and she introduced me to foundation. While I enjoyed creating the appearance of clear skin, I craved more. I began watching makeup tutorials on YouTube and discovered a channel called . NikkieTutorials. To this day, I believe that the confidence I have in creating and wearing elaborate makeup looks is because of her video called The Power of Makeup. In the video, Nikkie remarks on the empowerment and expression that makeup can give artists. I learned from her that makeup can be for fun, not just for appearances. Since watching her, I have learned various new techniques and grown my love for makeup. Creating colorful, complex, and eye-catching looks is almost therapeutic to me. Her video helped me to come out of my shell and confidently wear just about any makeup look I can imagine. It gave me freedom to truly have fun with the process of getting ready every day.
A short while after Nikkie’s video went viral, more incredibly talented makeup artists have emerged to provide for inspiration to others. Some of the most well-known YouTube artists include Mitchell, James Charles, and Jackie Aina. From special effects, to glam makeup, I’ve probably watched it all. I continue to seek out newer and more complicated looks to try for myself, with varying levels of success. Nonetheless, I enjoy trying new techniques and incorporating new products. Makeup is my stress reliever, my creative outlet, and one of my biggest passions.
