Curiosity Is The Key To Creating Successful Art

For creative Ali Hicks, having a natural-born curiosity is the key to creating successful art. In their case, this art comes in the form of out-there makeup, which has already gotten them recognised by names like solange and rina sawayama

- Melissa Mae

With over 158k followers on Instagram, 20-year-old beauty model and makeup artist Ali Hicks (better known as Sweetmutuals) has made a name for herself within the beauty industry for her creative makeup looks and skills.

By treating their face as a blank canvas, Hicks has allowed her imagination to transform her love for nature and art into her own beautiful rendition of the world, so much so that it’s gotten the attention of artists like Solange and Rina Sawayama, beauty brands such as Maybelline, and even Instagram for an interview on her craft.

“When I was a child, my mother had a subscription to Essence Magazine. Seeing all those beautiful, dark skinned Black models, with bold eyeshadow and striking lipstick on, really inspired me,” says the artist. “Makeup made the models look like art, and if I love art so much, why not become the canvas? Growing up, I thought makeup was just part of becoming a woman. Now I see it as an art medium that can transform me into a fairy or a flower at any time.”

Was it always your goal to become a makeup artist?

At 16-years-old, I did not see makeup as my future. In the third grade, I knew that I was going to be successful in the beauty industry, but not as a makeup artist. My true goal is to be a signed model.

How has makeup allowed you to better express yourself and the messages behind your creations?

Since my face is a canvas, I am allowed such freedom to use my face as a way to send messages to the public. One look at my face literally says it all. I feel like it is less common to have a Black person create a call to action on their face. It is even more foreign to have that call to action actually be a part of a makeup look that is presentable.