Redefining Beauty: The Irony of Skin Minimalism and the Rise of Authentic Expression
In today's beauty landscape, the quest for a 'natural' look ironically requires an extensive array of products showcasing a stark paradox within the clean beauty movement. Yet, here, artists find a canvas ripe for innovation and self-expression, symbolic of a broader dialogue about authenticity and artistic expression in the industry.
Artists like Eszter Magyar and Violette Serrat are challenging these conventional norms. They advocate for a more inclusive, genuine approach that values creativity and individuality over rigid standards. Violette defies the notion that specific colours are commercially unviable. Through her creation, Yeux Paint, she champions an eclectic colour palette that empowers individuals to express their moods and personalities, from bold smokey eyes to subtle colour washes.
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Hailing from Budapest and now residing in London, Eszter Magyar brings a unique perspective to the world of beauty. She describes herself as an unorthodox content creator for her platform, Makeupbrutalism and a creative for The Unseen Beauty, an innovative, science-focused,' outside the box' makeup brand. She is also an extraordinary visual artist with a background in classical makeup.
Hailing from Budapest and now residing in London, Eszter Magyar brings a unique perspective to the world of beauty. She describes herself as an unorthodox content creator for her platform, Makeupbrutalism and a creative for The Unseen Beauty, an innovative, science-focused,' outside the box' makeup brand. She is also an extraordinary visual artist with a background in classical makeup.
"I realised after years of working as an MUA
on sets that I didn't know the definition of
makeup - it was a reawakening. Eszter continues,
"There are so many descriptions online; if you can choose,
why not come up with your own."
on sets that I didn't know the definition of
makeup - it was a reawakening. Eszter continues,
"There are so many descriptions online; if you can choose,
why not come up with your own."
"It allowed me to explore possibilities and see things -
even tools and products, in a different spotlight.
Today, when I do workshops, my motto is,
"There is no bad makeup; it is just unfinished."
even tools and products, in a different spotlight.
Today, when I do workshops, my motto is,
"There is no bad makeup; it is just unfinished."
Unsurprisingly, the collaboration section on her website includes Gucci Beauty and Isamay French, to name a few. With concepts like Overuse, Product-lessness and Just Another Impossible Beauty Standard, she explores rules instead of following them. Explaining the imagery for Product-lessness,
"It's based on the definition 'you don't need makeup
to create looks for yourself.'
Is this approach even acceptable for the beauty industry? Probably not – according to the industry, we must
rely on their products daily."
to create looks for yourself.'
Is this approach even acceptable for the beauty industry? Probably not – according to the industry, we must
rely on their products daily."
She mimicked classical shapes like eyeliners with unconventional materials like clay, sugar, or paper and went random and shapeless. "This was my first project, which got a journalist's attention."
"I want people to be more honest, especially about
the drive which leads them to apply makeup.
If we separate 'the need' and 'the want', everything could change.
Why do you need that foundation?
What is the purpose of that mascara?
If we could explore the subject more profoundly - it would be liberating."
the drive which leads them to apply makeup.
If we separate 'the need' and 'the want', everything could change.
Why do you need that foundation?
What is the purpose of that mascara?
If we could explore the subject more profoundly - it would be liberating."
Serrat, founder of Violette_FR, caters to those who value individuality over trends. Whether enhancing the skin's natural tones or going full blast-rich in pigment colour.
"I set out to build a colour library that stretches
the imagination and redefines what essential colours are.
From a bold smokey eye to a subtle wash of colour
or a simple liner look, these shades are versatile and
allow you to express your mood."
the imagination and redefines what essential colours are.
From a bold smokey eye to a subtle wash of colour
or a simple liner look, these shades are versatile and
allow you to express your mood."
She created Bisou Balm and Bisou Blush to serve the purpose of super, super fresh, natural beauty and continues.
"My whole philosophy is about truly believing
that we are born perfect, beauty should be fun,
and makeup should be celebrating this perfection — not fixing anything.
that we are born perfect, beauty should be fun,
and makeup should be celebrating this perfection — not fixing anything.
I suggest a concealer under the eyes, but not too much enough to bring a bit of brightness. I love bushy eyebrows because they support the face overall and give you this presence, this eye contact - curl the lashes, and that's it for the eyes. Some of my friends love to put Baume Shine on the eyelid because it gives a bit of wetness and brightness to the luminous eyelid. Bisou Balm to finish that looks like your lip colour. That's where makeup can be helpful, giving you that little mini spice, bringing back the flush on your cheeks and lips, having the eyebrows a little more present."
The recent Maison Margiela haute couture show, starring makeup by Pat McGrath, further illustrates this shift towards imaginative expression. Models transformed into ethereal beings with supernaturally glossy skin, inviting the viewers to reconsider the potential of makeup beyond mere enhancement. In the movie "Poor Things," the “maquillage” tells a story to evoke a sense of place and time. MUA Nadia Stacey employs historically inspired makeup choices to add depth to the characters and settings, leveraging colour to convey underlying themes and emotions.
Amidst these artistic explorations, the beauty industry is witnessing a polarisation between the glam and clean beauty trends. Platforms like TikTok have reignited interest in more elaborate, glam-focused makeup, creating a countermovement to the longstanding minimalist trend.
The recent Maison Margiela haute couture show, starring makeup by Pat McGrath, further illustrates this shift towards imaginative expression. Models transformed into ethereal beings with supernaturally glossy skin, inviting the viewers to reconsider the potential of makeup beyond mere enhancement. In the movie "Poor Things," the “maquillage” tells a story to evoke a sense of place and time. MUA Nadia Stacey employs historically inspired makeup choices to add depth to the characters and settings, leveraging colour to convey underlying themes and emotions.
Amidst these artistic explorations, the beauty industry is witnessing a polarisation between the glam and clean beauty trends. Platforms like TikTok have reignited interest in more elaborate, glam-focused makeup, creating a countermovement to the longstanding minimalist trend.
Perhaps it is time we learn to navigate these divergent paths by embracing aesthetics that reflect a broader societal shift towards valuing diversity and personal expression. This can cast colourful rays that remind us to embrace the playfulness and metaphorical magic that cosmetics can bring - if we first admit that the only authentic ”natural look” is not wearing any products at all ;)
Article by Johanna Ljunggren
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