It’s Finally Time We Recognize Make-Up As The Most Powerful Force In The World
For many people, makeup is more than just lipstick and foundation. It's confidence in a bottle (Yes, I know what you're thinking — so is Jack Daniel's, but makeup comes without the regret) that allows you to feel like your best self.
There's been a massive shift to the "au natural" look in many circles that basically says makeup is overrated and unnecessary. To each her own, but one thing is for certain, and that's the sheer power that makeup gives someone mentally and emotionally. This is an incredible look at how makeup can change lives, both for the good and well, sometimes for the bad as well.
Half And Half
Can we just get it out of the way early that perfecting makeup is just as difficult as perfecting any other type of art? The knowledge that needs to be had just to be considered "okay" at blending, contouring, etc is just astonishing. This is why you need an honors degree to work at Sephora.
Today we're going to take a look at people who are makeup masters, like the woman here. And we're also going to see some folks who aren't exactly talented when it comes to applying makeup. They're both fun!
The Brow Queen
Sometimes, makeup can transform your look into something that's straight out of a horror movie. This woman's eyebrows look like they belong in a heart monitor readout, but there's good news! The heart looks like it's still beating. Her eyebrows are like a skyline in a landscape picture drawn by a three-year-old.
Some might call this look a brow fail, but she doesn't think so and that's all that matters. Right?
The Power Of Foundation
The power of makeup is real with this picture, but something else caught my eye. The slant in her bangs makes every Olympic skier very excited because those things are steep. They do flatter her face very well, but by golly, you could catch come dangerous speed going down those bangs.
Back to the makeup, though... it's amazing what a transformation this woman was able to create with a few cosmetics.
Glam-Ma
Grandma goes from " are you sure you're not hungry?" to stealing the star quarterback at your college real quick with a little makeup application. She goes from nursing home karaoke to competing with Cher for every guy under the age of 20.
Makeup artist Tea Flego specializes in dramatic transformations like this one. We think that Glam-ma is someone who you should aspire to be when you're this age. Well done, Tea.
Unrecognizable
So this is different. Makeup has stretched out this guy's eyes so much a football field is jealous. His eyes are so tall that Shaq inquired. He goes from project noway to Project Runway in split seconds. His eyebrows have a better fade away than Kobe shot during a game seven of an NBA Championship game.
This artist spends up to four hours a day creating unusual make-up designs like the one pictured here.
Clown Contouring
Somehow Bella Delune was able to turn the one side of the picture where she looks like a clown into the other side of the picture where she looks like she belongs on a red carpet. She does it so easily as if it's something that anyone can do, which is blatantly false.
Most people would end up looking like Krusty the Clown if they attempted this. Luckily for us all, Bella enjoys sharing her tips and secrets on her Instagram and YouTube profiles.
See some Makeup Mistakes We're All Guilty Of Making on The Couple Thing!
Hello From The Other Side
This is also a great contrast between what it looks like after you wake up from a night out versus when you go out. Waking up from a night out and looking in the mirror looks a lot like the picture on the left. You're basically just a shell of what you were when you were all did up ready to go out (the right, in case you were wondering).
Kimberry Berry, the vlogger who posted this photo, says the transformation only took her an hour.
New Me
Makeup turns this guy from looking like the chess club captain in high school to someone who could steal your girlfriend right from under your nose. He looks like he's ready for a night out with Boy George.
Pay special attention to the way the makeup completely seemed to change his facial structure. It completely hid his double chin and makes everything look more toned. Sign us up for a tutorial from this guy!
"It's Actually Me"
This side-by-side goes from "charged with listening to her iPod too loud in class" mugshot to UCLA's cheer captain. That contouring is so precisely perfect that there had to be spiritual forces from above working. Her hair has so much volume that your grandma has to scream "TURN THIS CRAP DOWN" when you sit in the front seat.
We've said it before and we'll say it again: makeup can change lives!
Works For Everyone
Look how makeup transforms this guy from regular dude into Queen B herself. He goes from "my mom's my only fan" to sold-out stadiums around the world. Although that shade of red lipstick gives many people flashbacks of being smooched on the forehead by their crazy aunt Kathy during the holidays, which isn't chill.
This artists goes by the name Patrick Starrr, and you can follow his amazing transformations on YouTube.
Close Call
Obviously, some people take wearing makeup pretty far and can sometimes overdo it a bit. It's their choice, but cleanup can often be a chore. You might no know exactly how much you were wearing until you're spending hours in the bathroom, or apparently, getting in a minor car accident. Hopefully, everyone's OK.
We do have to wonder, though, why her teeth also made an impression on the seat? Were they coated in foundation as well?
The Butterfly Effect
For this woman, having only one eyebrow wasn't enough. No, she needed two (or is it three?) and she wanted them to look like a butterfly had just opened its wings for the first time to show its color configuration.
This make-up kind of makes her looks like a surprised catfish but in all the, uh, wrong ways. To each her own though, to each her own. We're really not judging.
Glow-Up
Fun Facts: The word "Cosmetic" comes from the Greek word "Kosmos" which means "worldy" or "of this world". Also, the first nail polish was created in China in 3000 B.C by mixing egg whites, color powder, beeswax, and gum. Voila, those are now your watercooler talking points about the historical significance of makeup.
And look what makeup has done to this woman: it completely transformed her appearance. She clearly feels more confident in the end photo, and isn't that the point of it all?
Even Super Models Look Different Without Makeup
Tyra goes from starring in the movie ET to walking down the runway for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show in approximately 30 minutes. She looks great in both pictures, but it's hard to not see the power of makeup on these side by sides.
We love that Ms. Banks frequently posts makeup-free selfies. She shared the one on the left to Instagram with the caption, "This morn, I decided to give you a taste of the really real me. I wanted to smooth out my dark circles so badly!!! But I was like, "Naw, Ty. Show 'em the REAL you." Thank you Tyra!
The Golden Ticket
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory called, they want their Umpa Lumpa back. No seriously, the foundation this girl used is the exact color of the Umpa Lumpas. This confused orange color almost wants to be purple but isn't 100% ready to make that leap just yet.
And let's move on to the eyebrows. It appears that she started by outlining the shape she wanted her brows in, and then forgot to fill in the centers. Oops.
Nevermind. Not EVERYONE.
So much is going wrong in this picture it's hard to know where to start. Naturally, your gaze is probably drawn to her eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Those things are caterpillars on the verge of becoming moths, not even beautiful butterflies. They're so thick that Arnold Schwarzenegger's accent is jealous.
Our guess is that this look was created as a joke, or maybe for a costume, but it got her a nomination in Mirror's "world's worst eyebrows" list.
Barbie Lookalike
Kandee Johnson is a prominent makeup tutorialist who constantly changes herself into different looks. One of the most famous looks she chose to recreate was this Barbie look which is spot-on. Johnson allows the viewer to really embrace the idea that doing makeup is very much a form of visual art.
For this look, she really showed her dedication when she covered her naturally brown eyes with bright blue contact. This is a level of detail that only a true artist would notice.
Redefining Nikkie
Nikkie kept hearing from girls who kept saying that they were ashamed to wear makeup, so she decided to create a Youtube video that would show her with and without makeup. She's an advocate for the idea that there are no rules for using makeup. You don't have to use it if you don't want to but it's there to fall back on.
As she so aptly states, "Make-up is there for days when you want to look hella good!"
Vitiligo
Cher Lindsay struggles with a skin condition called vitiligo which is basically just the absence of pigment from various areas on your skin. Instead of hiding the discoloration, she instead does empowering makeup tutorials which emphasize the narrative that makeup allows you to be whoever you want to be.
Whether you love makeup or usually skip it completely, there's no argument that it can be a useful tool for many people.
Twinning
Yes, the make-up gives these girls very different appearances, but that's not the main issue here. The main issue is that cell phone she's using. Abe Lincoln called, and he wants his cell phone back.
That thing is so old it still thinks Destiny's Child is at the top of the charts and is going to be shocked to hear that Michelle (the irrelevant one in DC) is still irrelevant.
"My Pale Skin"
In 2015, Instagrammer and Youtuber Em Ford began receiving hateful comments about her bare face. At the same time, she received lovely comments when she wore make-up. To prove that perception changes someone's attitude towards her, she created the video "You Look Disgusting," featuring this transformation.
Her transformation clearly demonstrates how different someone can look with make-up on. If people get used to seeing someone with make-up, they may freak out upon seeing their bare skin. If you want to see more of Em Ford, you can watch her make-up tutorials and skin care videos on her Youtube, My Pale Skin.
Transforming Into Fictional Characters
On her Instagram, Rebecca Swift uses her make-up powers to disguise herself as fictional characters. She's done a wide range from Thanos from Avengers to Scar from The Lion King to a white walker from Game of Thrones. Her range is truly incredible.
If you think about it, movie actors often undergo hours upon hours of make-up application for their roles. Just think of Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique from X-Men. All of that is make-up, which proves that the right foundation and brushes can make you a shapeshifter.
Hiding Spots
Stephanie Absher covered half of her face in make-up, and left the rest bare. She did it to display the contrast between foundation and her "freckle, sunspotty face." Sure, a lot of people find freckles to be beautiful. But it's no secret that make-up is designed to conceal blemishes.
With her freckles invisible, Stephanie looks like a different woman. It's hard to believe that some foundation, sponges, and brushes can redefine a person. But hey, that's the power--and danger--of make-up.
For Burn Victims
This case is different from the others. Shalom Blac, owner of a Youtube channel by the same name, demonstrated how make-up can help burn victims. The transformation is amazing. With the products on her face, you wouldn't be able to tell that anything was off underneath.
Shalom asserts that she is happy not because of make-up, but because she loves herself. She provides a great message for anyone who feels ugly or that they need to rely on products. And even better: she's a great make-up artist.
Transforming Into A Doll
Joanna Hejnat is a make-up artist on Instagram who is rarely seen without an amazingly well-crafted cosmetic job. She has, however, posted a couple of pictures of herself half-done. This photo really illustrates how her skin tone and eye shape seem to change with a couple of swipes of a brush.
One of make-up's perks is that it enlarges your eyes. Emphasized eyes draw your attention to them and show off how attractive they are. In that sense, make-up acts as an enhancement tool, not a definition of how you look.
Not Even Celebrities Can Resist
The power of makeup is real and celebrities love it too. Ask Kim Kardashian, someone who loves to put on a face. Without it, she's still one of the loveliest celebrities.
When she puts it on, its safe to say that it's for her enjoyment and for promotional purposes. She doesn't need it, like everyone else who uses it. There's just something powerful about being able to change your appearance. Plus, it can be fun.
Show Off Your Mood
Instagram user "hollyraeraney" shared this amazing photo and explained what makeup means to her. Her caption read: "The power of makeup. I love the idea that I can completely change my look with makeup and take it all off that same night. Makeup is fun, y'all. Don't take it too seriously."
On one side, she's a calm, relaxed woman. On the other, she's fierce and ready to take on the world and all the challenges that will come.
Let Makeup Empower You
Many makeup fans are fed up with all the slander they receive from those on the outside. Makeup shouldn't be something to shame. At the fundamental level, it brings joy and empowerment to women, like this young lady you see here.
User "vibehairandmakeup" wrote: "The power of makeup I love makeup & you should too, don't be ashamed or embarrassed that it makes you feel either a little bit better about yourself or a whole [expletive] lot better about yourself.
It's A Personal Decision
Don't let the opinions of others sway you from living your best life in all the glory of makeup. Sometimes, you need to hear or read the right things that will help block out all the negativity. This young lady had a powerful message which boiled down to it being a personal choice.
Instagram user "makeupbyycass" had a message as beautiful as she is: "Some people wear makeup for fun or because it gives them confidence, and others don't wear it at all - it's a personal decision. I don't think I need makeup to look beautiful. I don't think anyone needs makeup to look beautiful."
More Eyes, Please
Makeup has incredible power. You can make your whole face something new, or you can focus on a certain feature. This young lady decides to focus more on her eyes when she gets glamoured up.
As you can see, her eyes pop out like never before after the makeover. She even added colored eyeshadow to make things more interesting. Not only that, but her lips make a bigger splash as well. Overall, we can tell she enjoys doing this.
Stepping Out With Confidence
Makeup can help in many ways. We've touched on how it has the ability to mask freckles, but it can also provide much-needed relief for those pesky acne bumps. Think of it as a cheat code.
If you just had a breakout you weren't expecting, never fear because makeup is here. The artist who did this wrote a nice message: "Loved surprising this woman with a makeup transformation! Rachel is a park ranger in Wyoming and gives so much of her time educating people about our recreational parks, ways to become more eco-friendly, and so much more! RESPECT."
From Princess To Queen
It's one thing to already have a lovely appearance, but its a whole new story when you elevate your look even further. That's a different type of power not everyone has.
Makeup isn't just to conceal things, boost confidence, or for fun. It can also be to crossover from princess to queen. As you can tell, this young lady looks stellar without (as is the case for every woman), but she wanted to stand out even more.
Becoming A Canvas
Maybe you're just bored. Maybe you want to help someone out. Makeup can help with both of those at the same time. You can become someone's canvas as they create art with your beautiful face.
You might not even recognize who are you are afterward, but at least you've made the artist happy about it. The image of the woman on the left gives off a confident tone, so she's already there. On the right, she looks ready to be the queen of the ball.
Making A Special Day Better
Is your wedding day approaching? Are you a bridesmaid? Perhaps you're going to a bachelorette party. Whatever the event, you can rest assured that makeup will help bring you to higher heights.
Yeah, you can show up to these gatherings without covering your face, but that's not what you want to do deep down. You want to show up looking like the beautiful woman everyone knows you to be. Makeup brings you that power on any big day.
A Whole New World
Cancer is one of the vilest diseases in the world. Little can be done to stop it, but it affects a large number of folks. When it gets the point of making your hair fall out, that's not fun at all.
That's where makeup can come into play, giving you that boost of power you didn't know you needed. Take a look at this miraculous transformation. We love that makeup has the ability to do this.
For The Mothers
A very talented makeup artist gave her mother an awesome makeover. This artistry makes us so excited to wear makeup when we get older, and it's inspiring us to do our mom’s makeup the next time we go back home.
This woman is wearing Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, MAC Strobe in Peachlite, and Bobbi Brown foundation. The highlight comes courtesy of Illamasqua, and the lipliner is Charlotte Tilbury in Pillowtalk. We know any mom would love this!
An Evolution
There are four years between the picture on the left and the picture on the right. This is how much you can improve your makeup skills with just a little bit of practice.
We love everything about the look on the right. In fact, we may try it out tomorrow. In that photo, she's wearing The Ordinary Serum Foundation, Cover fx cream concealer, Lime Crime Venus eyeshadow in Rouge and Venus in the center of her eyes.
For When You Feel Like A Fairy
We cannot get over how adorable this look is. Those white freckles and the blush and highlight combination on her nose remind us of a cute cartoon character, maybe Tinkerbell perhaps?
This woman is wearing NARS Luminous Foundation in Macao and Cadiz, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter in Ginger Binge and Moscow Mule, NYX Gel Eyeliner & Smudger 'White' for the snow freckles, a whole bunch of eyeshadows, and a simple Buxom lip balm. Wow.
For A More Retro Feel
This pinup-inspired makeup look is so fantastically '50s. We like how she’s rocking her pale skin tone and gorgeous red hair.
The best parts of this look are definitely the lips and the eyebrows. This artist used Anastasia Dipbrow in Caramel, and a Nyx micro brow pencil in Auburn to get those ginger brows. The lipstick is Sephora's Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always Red. All we can say is yes honey, slay in all your glory.
For The Creative In You
This is so beautiful, we don't even know where to start. We love how this looks abstract but nowhere near messy. It would be a perfect festival makeup look. Who doesn't enjoy a good La Croix every now and then (or every day) anyway?
She created this look using Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner, Too Faced Liquid Art Eyeliner in Pure White, Juvia’s Place Zulu Eyeshadow Palette, and Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in Cathedral.
