Retro Makeup for a retro day
Image Courtesy: Medium
Valentines is notoriously kitschy, and this Hallmark mushy-gushy bonanza can come off as disingenuous and nauseating; but sometimes that’s the best part about it. Let’s lean into the occasionally tawdry nature of this holiday and appreciate it for what it is: another fantastic opportunity to show off your skills with a makeup brush. Do Valentine’s Day your own way with retro makeup; it’s the perfect way to create a classically seductive look that’s also playful and artistic. There’s a retro V-Day persona for every type of lover and friend, but here are just a few of our favorites.
THE DOE-EYED DOLL
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
With their thick lashes bordering their upper and lower lids, the Doe Eyed Doll exudes a deer-like, innocent nature. They are sweet, gentle, and easily surprised. The goal is to make the eyes as big and eye-catching as possible. Some people, Twiggy included, add drama by hand-drawing lashes below their waterline. One of the most important parts of this look is the down-turned outer corner. The shadow and/or liner is drawn following the curve of the lid down past the edge of the outer corner. This achieves the ultimate wide-eyed look. This is the perfect look to meet someone new at a Valentine’s Day singles’ event. These wide eyes can lure in any unsuspecting prey. One day, your prey is casually attending a single’s event, the next, they are apartment hunting with their new significant other.
THE SMOLDERING MOD
The Smoldering Mod is mysterious, jaded, and gracing you with their presence. They have seen it all, or at least you think they have. The smoldering Mod wears a sharp geometric liner that cuts a line right into their crease. This look isn’t about looking like you aren’t wearing makeup, but rather showing off your skill with a felt tip. This look can be modernized with colored lids that add to the artsy drama or with a classic white shadow to add emphasis to your own eye color. The perfect way to bring in the V-Day spirit is to use pink or red eye shadow and to draw little hearts on your cheek.
DISCO DIVA
Image Courtesy: Charisse Kenion
Valentine’s Day isn’t always about a candlelight dinner. Some lovers prefer to spend this day out in style. Cue the white horse, this is where the Disco Diva comes in. Think glitter on the floor and a heavy bass pounding through your feet and into your chest, and you will be picturing the disco diva. They are the life of the room and choose glitter and high-octane color to express their divinity. It is a simple statement that can be swept over your lips on the way out the door. With a touch of gloss and highlighter, your date will only have eyes for you on the dance floor.
THE LEATHERETTE
Image Courtesy: The Art Gorgeous
The Leatherette is by far the most intimidating, especially to their date. They do not care if you have been in line at the bar for twenty minutes, they walk right up and get a drink that was made the minute they walked in. They shaved the ends of their eyebrows before it was cool and can shape them into anything imaginable. For this specific look, the eyebrows tilt up towards the temple and float above a cloud of blush that rises from the cheekbones and into the forehead. Peeking out from the clouds are bright shadow and razor-sharp eyeliner. Don’t forget the equally bold lipstick, lined with a thin, dark pencil. The Leatherette is the queen of anti-Valentine’s sentiment, but any day they can get dinner and flowers can’t be too bad.
Whatever character you channel to celebrate this Valentine’s Day, make it your own. Sometimes we need to remember we do not have to stick to one look; our personalities are multi-faceted, and our art reflects this. We decide who we want to be. Holidays like this can be intimidating, but creating a persona through makeup can remind ourselves (and our date) that we are not simple creatures for consumption. We are all the main characters and writers of our life, so act like it.
Strike Out,
Writer: Kendal Cano
Athens
