Makeup as Art

Makeup can be art, turn you into art, can be a way to take one artform and turn it into a new art but overall its a shared creative experience. In this article we cover special effects, hair, visual effects, makeup, larger than life personalities, and creative community! 

VECNA - STRANGER THINGS (SFX):

Now, if you’ve seen the Netflix series “Stranger Things”, Vecna is a very important character of the series when he comes in Season 4. The procedure of his look took approximately 8 hours to do. In season 4 where Vecna was first introduced, the team built full-body prosthetics based on concept art for the character. The team used foam latex, which is lightweight and opaque, to cover large body pieces for Vecna, mainly his left arm and lower body. Silicone-based materials came into play for his face, shoulders, chest, back and right arm, since the material is clear and can be dyed to match the pigment of the creature's skin. With a skeletal frame composed of veins, bones, muscles and ligaments tangled together in a ghastly visual. Vecna in full form is a gruesome monster with vascular gray flesh, a decrepit face and piercing eyes - a fitting prince of the “Upside Down”.

LUKE - 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER (HAIR):

In this new era "Everyone’s a star” Luke Hemmings has introduced himself to a new hairstyle “Liberty Spikes”. Liberty spikes are a classic punk hairstyle where the hair is gelled and glued into long, rigid spikes, arranged all around the head like the “Statue Of Liberty” crown. They’re usually tall, dramatic, and it requires strong products (gel,glue,hairspray). Usually the hair would be divided into multiple large chunks around the head - usually 8 to 12 sections. Each chunk of hair is pulled upward, twisted or combed into a point and held in place as the product dries. That is how this iconic look on Luke Hemmings was made.

JAMES CAMERON - AVATAR (VFX):

The actors didn’t have blue body paint, cat like features or patterns applied, instead they had gray motion capture suits, facial rigs with tiny reflective dots, head mounted cameras that recorded muscle movement. The dots were used as anchors so the VFX team could digitally map expressions onto the characters. So the “makeup” you see on screen is digital makeup created in post-production. The iconic blue skin was painted digitally onto the models of the characters. The glowing spots on their skin are rendered by light reactive shaders and animated highlights that mimic natural light. Each person has a unique pattern of stripes and markings, designed like tattoos or natural pigmentation. The facial proportions changed; freckles, enlarged eyes and a cat nose like nose with a subtle feline anatomy. 

FAYE CELESTE 

Faye Celeste, as known as @fayemesss on instagram, is known for her hair and makeup work, recently working on Ashton Irwin for “Everyones A Star”. For his deluxe CD, she used concealer, skin setting powder, primer potion, smokey orange eyeshadow, Before that she did a beautiful skin prep that included 24k Gold eye patches, Hydrating skin mist, Glow primer and a setting spray.

MR FANTASY:

Mr Fantasy emerged in 2025 as a viral social media and music personality- a flamboyant, 1970’s style, funky rockstar alter ego. His public appearance includes a shaggy bob wig, false teeth (giving a gap tooth look), and an exaggerated retro rock aesthetic. The persona leans heavily into theatricality, escapism, and creative reinvention: a chance to break free from “normal” and embrace the wild, stylised alter ego. That aligns well with what “fantasy makeup” or “fantasy persons” does in creative expression. His visuals and music combined create a kind of living performance art - he doesn’t just sing, he performs a character, which resonates with the broader spirit of fantasy makeup and creative persona-building.

ELPHABA (WICKED): 

Elphaba. The well known witch for the “wicked” movies/books has a great look for these screenings/readings. The movie look aims for a natural, believable green, not the flat stage-green of Broadway. Starting with thin sheer layers with a dump sponge; build gradually then, set each layer with a translucent or green-tinted powder. Lastly, buff lightly with a brush to make it look like skin, not a mask. To avoid the “flat paint” look, Elphaba’s makeup uses green on green contouring. Options include; deep forest green or slightly cool olive. Then, apply to cheekbones, sides of nose, jawline, temples and hairline. For highlights, use light olive, yellow-based highlight and pearl-free light green cream. Blend softly to keep the look seamless. This sculpting is what keeps her from looking “painted” and more realistically green-skinned. Elphaba’s eyes are glam but controlled. Eyeshadows can include; Matte plums, charcoals or deep browns (the contrast amps up the green skin). Also, make sure you keep the outer corners slightly winged. For the eyeliner, make sure it’s strong, black liner on the top lash line and a tightline on both upper and lower waterlines. Lastly, for lashes, make sure they are wispy but defined lashes. In the movie, they keep it more natural. The green skin makes the lip color look different. For authenticity; plum, mauve, brick red or deep rose all work. Make sure you keep the texture semi-matte and avoid overly glossy lips- they can look strange against matte green skin. For the hands, ears and neck full accuracy; make sure to bring the green down the neck, chest and ears and paint hands or use green gloves if needed.

Fan Makeup Tributes:

As suggested makeup also brings communities together, we see this in fan communities when people create looks inspired by artists, albums or even eras. Fan makeup tributes are like love letters written in eyeliner and glitter. Fans recreate iconic looks from their favourite artists and eras, think bold blue eyeshadow for 80s rock queens, Chappell Roan level rhinestones, or Taylor Swift inspired red lips and sparkles, using their own faces as the canvas. It is more than just copying a look; it is a way of saying “this music changed me,” of carrying a song, a tour, or an era into real life. Whether it is full glam for a concert, a subtle nod for school or work, or a TikTok transformation video, fan makeup tributes turn fandom into wearable art and build community as people swap tutorials, product lists, and selfies to celebrate the artists and stories they love. We asked you to share some of your looks you have done and the responses were amazing!