ALL MADE UP

Make-up is not just a means to an end - as an art form, it is an end in itself. We explore the worlds of three make-up artists who step outside the norms of beauty to provoke, challenge and confront

- NIDA NAEEM

As someone who never steps out of the house without a swipe of blush and a bit of brow mascara at the very minimum, I give make-up a lot of power over how I feel about myself. But I'm deeply inspired and, sometimes, even moved by those who use make-up not to beautify but to explore their identities and interests.

A new generation of alternative makeup artists eschews norms of attractiveness and paints their faces to suit their whims.

Their visions of beauty defy definitions and take on the complexity of their influences through striking visuals.

Language of Rebellion

"I don't look at make-up to make me look the way the world wants me to. I started using make-up to make it more me," says Anoushka David, a Delhi-based stylist and image maker, who stands out for her eclectic fits and liberated approach to make-up. To her, make-up is a way to decorate her face, just like fashion is a way to decorate her body.

Rhinestones, googly eyes, and even acrylic paints nothing is off limits for David.

She doesn't care for technique and perfection. Instead, she focuses on using whatever is available and enjoying the process.

"Initially, when I started painting with paint on paper, I felt the brush was too constricting.

I love using tissue paper to create a smudged effect or using a sponge - basically anything with texture to create a pattern with colours that I enjoy," she says. Be it artists in history books or on Instagram, David gravitates towards rebellious figures such as Prince and Dadaist artist Raoul Hausmann. She also frequents the feed of model and beauty sensation Jazzelle Zanaughtti of @uglyworldwide, who is known for their visceral make-up looks that lean into the idea of ugly' or conventionally unattractive beauty that we're currently seeing growing interest in, courtesy of the likes of Julia Fox, Doja Cat, and a host of TikTok-famous make-up artists.