Taken from photographer Weronika Kosinski's collection for the 2015 Makeup Trendy Magazine editorial "Fade Into You", makeup artist Izabela Szelaqowska's work focuses heavily on creating texture through the use of makeup. The images despite their cosmetic context, carry connotations of the natural world. This is achieved through a series of techniques including the colour palette, styling of makeup and technique in which the product has been applied. Despite this the images do also carry a somewhat futuristic, alien feel to them through the models pale skin and long neck. It is interesting how something that focuses on a more natural beauty approach can sometimes take away from what allows us to identify someone as human, as the cosmetic features we are accustom too are faded back. Throughout all of the images within this collection the focus remains on the use of the makeup. Texture is created through foundations, powders and liquids that mimic modern beauty techniques but through their application also resemble that of natural earthy textures. The first image that is presented is that of the cover image, a direct embodiment of the title as both the photography and makeup used are minimal and softly harmonise with the models skin. No hair is visible within the styling as is it wrapped under a selection of bandages, by removing the models hair from sight it takes away an element of her personality. Slightly dehumanising her and thus creating the alien illusion. The skin is flawless and with a lightly powdered sheen across the eyelids and cheekbones, the whole look is rather natural although clearly perfected. In addition to this is the fade out of the eyebrows, eyelids and lips which have been paled out using a cream foundation or pale lip colour. The base makeup as a whole really strips back the identifying features of the
model but allows for the key focal point e.g. the contour to gain full attention. This use of a graphic lined shading under the cheekbone creates an apparent contrast between the clean skin and blatantly fabricated contour. Without looking into the constructed meaning behind these images it could be interpreted from the makeup and title alone that the purpose was to advocate how only once we strip back our makeup to our natural selves do we see who we naturally are. Fading the false colours applied to the skin to reveal the natural flesh tones that lay beneath. Perhaps..
Images URL: http://izabelaszelagowska.pl
Narrative text from makeup artist Izabela Szelągowska:
Szelągowska, I. (2015). MAKIJAŻ KU POKRZEPIENIU SERC. Available: http://www.moodboard.es/makijaz-ku-pokrzepieniu-serc/. Last accessed 21st Oct 2015.
"Photo
session, the noise on the set, several changes on a model's, shortness of
breath. She made the hour 20 when I got home. Somebody knocks on the door.
Before my eyes is Ms. Em, all in tears. In a moment the tears on my silk blouse
had moved to be already completely on me. These were tears of heartbreak. The
tears of disgust and undervalue itself. Someone loved her, he already loved
someone else. She loved. She loved so hard that tears pricked up my heart. What time it
is 2 am facing two glasses of red wine there, next to me sits a capable and beautiful woman who has lost her self-confidence. A woman who never
was afraid of being alone.
When the
night fell with the last drop of hard desperation, I felt the emptiness around
us. Sadness, who drew in the room on every subject more and more plunged us
into despair. I started looking around the room in search of help. Suddenly, on
the bedside table she flashed beautiful and sophisticated dressed in black with red
lipstick. Illuminated from the heavens not only the lipstick, but also me. She
brushed her hair and I saw how beautiful she could be, but only I could see it. She hated
herself. She tries to convince herself, "maybe I can do it".
To my
surprise, when I took a brush in her hands she sat back in the chair and closed
her eyes. Undercoat is applied as gently as I could, eyelashes slightly tinged
with black ink, so that nothing was felt. Pink blush and red lipstick, which
dropped me from heaven.
I took her
hand and led her to the mirror. She stood there for a minute and did not say
anything. I saw her face beaming. "Rays started hitting me too". I saw even a
little smile on the face of Lady Em. A smile appeared at the same time on my
face. For a brief moment in this abyss of despair we made a quantum leap forwards. At least that night when she fell silent for three hours with
a glass of wine, I realized how makeup can sometimes appreciating a woman.
Sometimes you only need to slightly improve from the outside to the
inside feel better. Ms. Em to me is that realisation."
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