Color and Artistry in Makeup is Intimidating
Image Courtesy: Manny MUA / Damir K
Walking into a Sephora feels like walking in a beige room. So many brands are releasing new products but it's all the same neutral eyeshadow palette, skincare infused makeup, or a brow gel .What happened to all the colorful eyeshadow palettes?
In the beauty era of the 90s, there was a consistent palette of pinks, reds, and neutral colors that was popular amongst the everyday makeup wearers and even spotted on the red carpets. Those popularized colors created a minimalist style of makeup with a soft grunge for a bit of edginess.
In 1996, Urban Decay hit the scene with explosive colors and visionary packaging that brought a rebellious style that was desperately needed for this era. They came out with products such as the ‘cult eyeshadow’ that was packaged as subway token coins and their eyeshadow primer that was packaged in a potion bottle. There was a time where Urban Decay’s products matched its name and alternative style. Maui Wowie wasn’t just your favorite Hawaiian tree, it was your favorite eyeshadow. Now the brand just packages their makeup in purple tubes and calls it a day. They weren’t the only makeup brand that was giving the girls art and color, M.A.C was holding it down for the makeup girls that wanted something more than beige.
M.A.C, which stands for Make-up Arts Cosmetics, came to New York City from Toronto in 1985 in a retail store that was more than just a makeup store. It was the spot for makeup artists to exchange their techniques, portfolios, and where drag queens, and club goers met up. Passing by the M.A.C counter at the mall was like passing by another world. The associates always had on the most eccentric and artistic makeup ever seen and the customer service was like no other. Associates were always willing to share their techniques to perfect the art of makeup which set them apart from the other brands and I believe that they greatly impacted the 2016 makeup era.
The 2016 era of makeup was one for the books. With the popularity of YouTube, no one had the excuse of not knowing how to do makeup when influencers like Jackie Aina, Nikkie Tutorials, Patrick Starrr, Manny MUA, Jacklyn Hill, Jeffree Star, and so much more where on the app dropping beauty methods that would leave to popular looks the the cut crease, full glam, and the blinding highlighter look. The girls and gays were waking up early in the morning to put on 5 different eyeshadow colors, a sharp winged eyeliner, and eyebrows that were so on fleek before going to school or work. It was the type of makeup that men found ugly. So ugly to the point where they called it ‘birthday makeup’ as a way to mock the style.
That moment probably marked the beginning of the end of this fun era of makeup. A makeup artist on TikTok, @missmeganrobinson, mentioned that around 2016–2017, M.A.C. associates were told to wear less makeup after a survey perceived M.A.C. employees as too intimidating. Fast forward to the 2020s, we're in the ‘clean girl’ era where everyone has gelled eyebrows, skin tints and blushes. Less is more more in this era of beauty even down to the packaging. Everyone’s makeup is dewy.
Somewhere between 2016 and now, we lost the techniques and skills that made makeup feel like an art form. Did we get too lazy to sit through those 20-minute YouTube tutorials, or did we simply decide that the no makeup, makeup look was more appealing? Now, the artistry hasn’t been completely lost. We still have artists like Painted by Esther and Donni Davy continuing the artistry. Could this mean that artistry in makeup is slowly making its return? Will the girls start walking out of the house in a full face of glam, not for a special occasion, but simply for the love of the game?
Strike Out,
Johann Jonassaint
Boca Raton
Johann Jonassaint is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. A true Venusian who can never get enough of being wrapped in cozy sheets, listening to video essays or daydreaming. When she finally leaves her sheets, you can catch her writing at the library, the only place she can actually get work done. Feel free to contact her at jjonassaint2023@gmail.com or @jojoeva_ on Instagram.
