ExoTica...

Exotic Makeup... and the art behind it

Last night in class we reviewed some of the techniques behind a dramatic exotic eye.  After having spent two hours to perfect my look that I welcomed everyone in I demonstrated an additional look on one of the students. To my surprise (as I do feel this look can be over the top and very subjective to who would wear it) I felt the thunder of inspiration from all the girls. They were entranced... glowing and inspired!  It was truly electric to see the illumination of motivation on their faces!  Little did I know that right afterward many of them went home to practice the look and blew me away with their end results! 

Makeup is funny that way. You have the women who wear a very simplistic version of themselves on a daily basis, should they choose to wear any at all. Then you have the women who dabble and who enjoy different looks but rarely have the time or desire to dedicate any to it... and from there it grows. Generally women who haven't yet hit that 'aha' moment with the beauty it brings or the art in it can be preeeeeeetty judgmental. So with that I am constantly curious as to what type of response I will generate.  I remember one time at work (MAC)we had been doing something fun on one of our "theme" weekends. Each artist had put in some good work in their look and while it was a bit a lot over the top, it was artistic and daring... calling on talent and forward thought.  I was proud of my team and of what we stood for that day. As life would have it there had to be one bad apple (for balance I suppose) who made some snide comment like, "Wow, do you guys actually want to dress like that and wear your makeup that way? Or do they "MAKE" you do that."  I looked at her and thought..."Yes, actually prior to coming in the store, they line us up, beat us,  throw these clothes at us all the while a vengeful makeup artist comes over and paints our face with dirty/moldy brushes so that we can elicit this sort of callous statement from people like you."  However, I looked at her and said..."Nope, we choose to look this hot!" ;0)  

Makeup is art and is therefore subjective. I personally enjoy most the trans-formative type. I like it when people say... "WOW!  I didn't even know that was you!" <3  Last nights class verged on that kind of makeup. Wearing such exotic, bold colors requires a level of confidence because you have to be able to walk in a room feeling like you are who are who you are portraying instead of feeling like a watered down version of your portrayal, painted up like a clown. 

I guess in the end, I prefer color, contouring and manipulation. I mean, everyone has the good fortune of going natural...  but can they transform their thoughts, feelings and appearance with the stroke of a brush? 

In the end I say rock whatever makes you feel like a rockstar version of yourself. Feel good maintaining and portraying the persona you choose and all it embodies. I remember one thing I heard at MAC that really stood out to me:  "We just want you to be the most extreme version of yourself, your genre, your persona as you can. If you are going to come in here looking like a hippy, be the best hippy.  If you are grunge, go all the way. Don't go half way and then incorporate something else that doesn't fit. That is when things start to not make sense." I love that. <3 

Exotic makeup or not... smokey eyes or daring lips... whatever it is... be inspired and be confident.