Make up as an Art form

Make up to me is an unknown art form to a majority of the world. When I mention makeup to my boyfriend or many of my friends, not only is it considered easy, but it is also spoken in association with feminine obsession with looks. My aunt Jayne always tried to instill a negative connotation with makeup and vanity in me. Men on social media complain that its too expensive and the looks are not practical. Moms who don’t understand it say their daughter are just playing and look gaudy or ridiculous. Time after time we see a teenager sent back to their room in a movie because they came downstairs for school wearing too much makeup. In all these instances, I’ve always wondered if the opposition would stop and think of the artistic talent and time put into these looks.

On the other hand there is a whole world out there appreciating the artistry behind makeup. You Tube, in particular, has provided a whole world of beauty influencers, or a group of people who specialize in make up tutorials and reviews. I consider them more beauty experts than influencers. The environment these bloggers have created surrounding the world of cosmetics is inclusive, growing, and deep. There are many days when I get completely lost in the outpouring of videos uploaded every minute for every beauty related thing humanly possible.

One of my favorites is Jefree Star, a former musician and make up artist turned entrepreneur from California. In addition to owning his own make up line, Jefree is a beauty blogger with over 10 million subscribers to his page. He posts videos ranging from makeup to his daily life, which as beauty is his business, usually inherently turns into more discussions about beauty. He is an icon of our generation and I even find myself talking like him after watching so many hours of his videos.

My point is that something with such a mass following such a Jefree Star has to exude some level of brilliance to promote this intense dedication. The art behind his makeup and color combinations, along with his raw talent is remarkable. His looks, like himself, are iconic and mirrored on the faces of thousands of girls everywhere. He is the person who not only taught me how to contour, but to also love the skin that I am in. His art teaches me not only about his skill, but lessons about myself and the beauty in the world. Isn’t that the most we can ask from an artist? I’d like to think so.