Blog Post 3 – Project Outcomes and Personal Development
I chose the Makeup Breakdown project as part of my Better Lives unit. I picked it because I felt it was very different to my course (costume for performance) and I wanted to experiment with a medium I’d never worked with before. Additionally, I wanted to be part of a project out with the performance program as I wanted to explore the wider college.
We were introduced to the basics of makeup application and the health and safety aspects of the job. We were also shown a range of hair and makeup looks, which focused on sustainable and diverse ideas and styles. Also introduced was the idea of the ‘fashion mistake’, taking something which would be considered as wrong and experimenting with it until it transcends and becomes the look. Workshop sessions had us working on each other and experimenting with creating smoky eye looks, dramatic full-face contour with bright colours, and ideas of colour theory to highlight certain features of the model.
Following the Easter break, we were unable to return to the studio due to COVID-19 and so continued our sessions online at home. Our first session back involved using non-makeup items to create two make-up looks, one which fitted the idea of the ‘fashion mistake’ and one which represented ‘imperfection’. For fashion mistake, I used black thread to create the outline of a cat eye and applied it to my eyes with gel. For the imperfection, I used tinfoil to create tiny freckles and stuck them to my face with moisturiser. This session was very interesting as it expanded upon the definition of what makeup is, to create innovative, experimental looks.
Following on from this, the next week we experimented for our final look. I decided I wanted to look at colour theory. Colour theory wasn’t something I’d every applied to makeup and I was interested in how it could translate. I found it interesting that while the concept of colour theory in makeup is universal, different colours are used for different people. I decided to try to use makeup to highlight the green of my eyes. I used a pink eyeshadow for this first look and while I was happy with the direction the look was going in, I decided to make my final look more dramatic.
For the final project, I decided to use red eyeliner, which is normally considered to be a fashion mistake, to create a dramatic cat eye. This contrasted with the green strongly, creating a bold look.
Throughout the project we were constantly collaborating with each other, at first in class, and later online, sharing images, our final presentations, and feedback. It introduced me to not just a new medium but also put a new spin onto things such as colour theory, which I know I will be able to introduce into my practice.
As well as influencing my work, the unit has introduced many new ideas to me, unconnected to my practise. Moving forwards, I will be far more mindful of where I buy my clothing and how often I buy new clothes. Knowledge of the importance of ethical supply lines and sustainable fabrics and processes is also something I will take forwards with me.