Speak Through Expression

Vocalize your thoughts. Pick a side in a debate. It is the only way to truly be heard. It is the way you say things that makes the difference. Whether you choose to speak softly or loudly, passionately or factual, with visual examples or simply through vocals it is the meaning behind the method. 

In a world full of chaos, it is often difficult to speak up. To have a voice. Conveying an opinion. Makeup can be your expression, your method of speech, especially if you tend to be quiet or have trouble expressing your thoughts in a public manner. 

This entry I have chosen a Matthew Williamson gown. It’s simple but expressive. The distinct lines of the dress display the precise angles specifically chosen by the designer. The background color of the pattern is almost neutral--but deep and definitely translates to viewers. The pattern itself is intricate. From a distance it appears as splotches of light white/pink color with a hint of green. Up close, the pattern is of a tree with whites, yellows, pinks, greens, and bits of blue. The corresponding eye makeup can be the same. Pick a few colors--golden brown, purple, and blue. From a distance, the colors blend with the crease of the eye. Up close there are distinct lines expressing flowing angles of motion similar to the one-shoulder of the dress. 

Work using angles. By utilizing the natural curve of your lid, you can develop a very personal translation. Through this you can speak up. It is the method of stating who you are, vocalizing who you are going to be--at least in that moment. Choose to speak. Even if you just speak softly, expression is important in establishing an identity and maintaining it. 

ColorEyez Tip of the Day:

Work the angles of your eye and use an angled brush when applying eyeshadows. BareEssentials makes a good angled brush. It is not too thin like that of a lining brush, but has just enough thickness to sweep over the lid with the perfect amount of color. It also helps with the blending of additional pigment, if there are other shadows being used at the time.

Impressions

Time to make a statement! Whether for yourself or for a different reason, image is a constant in society. Though first impressions may seem important, it is more your ability to adapt with that impression, creating a lasting perception.The transformation of self from day to day. This becomes you...your impression...your own self appointed identity--discretion in allowing others to see what you want them to. These impressions are like blogs and the internet, always improving. This fast paced expressionism is also in fashion--expanding so rapidly that at times it seems almost instantaneous. 

The image today is of a Roberto Cavalli gown. At first glance you see a dark intricate neckline with sparkle. But like the constant adaptation of internet life, the dress flows into something more. It continues to form a different expression. At first you see dark, then light and color. 

The eyeshadow this time draws more from the light and colorful elements, pulling mainly from blues and purples. There is sparkle added to bring about the first impression of the shadow in comparison with the dress. This pallet, however, is not an exact match to the gown. It is an interpretation of the extension of the gown’s further continuation into something different. Just as blogs started off as personal web journals and later developed a mass media element, the initial foundation for an idea of makeup is the same. Start with a first impression. What do you see first. Sparkle? Black? Then what is next. Color? Pattern? 

The development is key in impressionism, especially in makeup. Literal is rare. Change, adapt, and look at things in a different perspective--like facebook and other social networking mediums. These sites all started with a simple idea of meeting people and connecting, and then escalated into an addictive obsession within the technological age.   In makeup, start off simple--color; then proceed from there. 

ColorEyez Tip of the Day:

Add SPARKLE! You can either mix colors by choosing a shimmer shadow that is completely different--like pink sparkle over a green shadow or use a neutral sparkle. Urban Decay has a line of shadows with built in shimmer. I recommend Midnight Cowboy, its a light neutral shade that can go over any color and looks fine by itself.

Disguise

Do you ever feel pressure to disguise your appearance? Fit in with the mainstream “image”? It is a lot like the pressure felt within this new technological age--always having the urge to communicate and stay connected. Makeup shouldn’t be the pressure. It is a way to stay connected to yourself. Forget the typical faces on magazines--photoshopped and altered. Disguise yourself back into reality. 

There are many associations to be made with attention. In today’s current society, technology (ie phones, internet, texting) is directly associated with shared attention. However, there is still another association outside of virtual reality. Image. This is often paired with a technological medium, but it possesses still more weight than technology itself. It maybe slowly losing its pull...but remains the main focus of attention.

Also, makeup is often thought to be superficial and impersonal, I disagree. It is an outward statement of self. Unlike texting and new modes of communication, makeup is an art of expression...personal expression. It brings back the time where letters were prevalent. Handwritten with beautiful script. Thoughtful with plenty of effort. Essentially what makeup is. A carefully developed art form with every intention of personal revelation.  

Today’s image is an Antonio Berardi gown. Simple light pink color--almost skin tone. The jacket, however, with red embellishments, is the focus. The attention grabber. It is the statement of the designer. Based upon this statement, the eyeshadow will have a similar feel. A neutral backdrop with a little bit of red creates a simple, personal look. With just a hint of color, the pressure of appearance is reduced, yet personality is magnified!

ColorEyez Tip of the Day:

When looking to make a statement try doing something other than a red lip. Work with red eyeshadows and liners. It produces a similar statement, but in a new and different way!

Individualism

Makeup is individualistic. Choose your favorite color and create your own shade. This time I chose one of my favorite colors--blue. Some people believe that it is a difficult color for subtle use while still keeping its brightness. The dress I chose is a Peter Som dress. It has a mixture of blues and white. This is a great example of the different shades that can be used to blend a new one.

Makeovers are for experimentation. Whether from head to toe, fashion to face, makeup can be a release from the tethers that bound us in life. We are bound by so much--family, technology, society. This is just another way for individual experimentation. Acting as makeup artist, a connection is developed not only to the model, but to yourself. You are finding ways of uncovering characteristics and utilizing those in your art.

Choose your favorite shade and work in other colors to balance it produces shadows and highlights. If you choose blue, you can work in purple and light pinks (almost the shade of white). If you work with greens, you can use teals, blues, and even a splash of a different color--purple or pink. When mixing your shades, blend the colors. Create a marbling affect by using a smudging technique. 

Tip of the Day:

Brighten your eyes with white! Use either a white shadow or eye pencil in the corner of your eye. This reflects light in a certain way as to make your eyes look wider. If white is a bit to harsh on your skin, choose a light pink shade. This will have the same affect.