TRENDING! ARTISTRY IN COSMETICS: EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION?

Cosmetics has taken the world by storm! The new trend in makeup? Use your face as a blank canvas and paint away.

Remember in the 60's when a few products would do you well such as a hint of blush for a rosy-cheek effect? Well, thanks to social media we have found a new niche for makeup lovers that reveals makeup is a true form of art; a form that can manage to tell a story. The trend of makeup blending into artistry is one of the most intriguing representations of individual expression I have seen in a long time. Cosmetics being a huge passion of mine, I took this opportunity to question the lives of these emerging artists so that I could delve into how this trend arose and hopefully answer some burning questions such as what it feels like to complete a piece of artwork that is showcased for social media to critique?

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I first wanted to investigate Instagram influencer Cole Carrigan for the purpose of this blog post analysis. Carrigan hosts 364 thousand followers on Instagram and is known for his wildly outlandish art on his face. He creates everything from a koi fish pond to a fine china plate all using his face as the canvas. Carrigan, like many others, is a self-taught makeup artist but he was one of the first to showcase this talent and solidify this skill as a claim to fame. Carrigan now utilizes his platform and abilities to solicit funds for donation to charity, shed light on controversial topics, and give followers a fun way to learn about his interests.

Some of the most famous art Carrigan has completed was that of the Tame Impala music album, a forest scene to spread awareness of Koalas needing help in Australia during fires, and even a Van Gough interpretation. As with any trend and any form of art, controversiality seems inevitable. Carrigan's use of makeup as art has left a lot open to interpretation. For example, Carrigan posted a makeup look recreating the aesthetic of rapper Tekashi 69 with the caption "I don't support him at all and think he's a joke that's why I wanted to do this Halloween costume". Unlike most of his posts, this one was NOT left open for interpretation. This openness and transparency with followers is something common with most successful influencers, and I believe the use of makeup as expression is simply where trends have evolved- a new form of revolution against individuals, ideals, and closely held beliefs. Today, you can see these trends have went as far as to be incorporated into New York Fashion Week looks to emphasize the importance of self-expression. Below, you can see more artists and the "why" behind their decision to become a makeup ARTist.