Carnaval: artistic makeup

By: Z. El Jamal

The famous Brazilian holiday "Carnaval" is here! And for this, we can all agree that some good makeup will do us good. In this article, I will outline some ideas on what to bet on (and on what not to) for Carnaval:

1. Glitter!
If I could share some of my wisest words, it would be that when in doubt, add glitter. I you are looking for a simple look, add some glitter over your base coat and you are done! And the best thing is, glitter works everywhere you put it: on your eyes, cheekbones, and even lips! It makes everything sparklier, shinier and more fun! It will certainly cause an impact on people, and make you unforgettable anywhere you are spending your Carnaval! However, a good tip is to never apply too much glitter on the oily areas of your face such as your nose, forehead or chin, because it could make your skin look shinier (and not in the good sense of the word), or even out of place. So give preference to keeping glitter in places where it seems you actually want it there, and not on places people will think it's accidental!

2. Feathers!
For me, feathers are a great way to express individuality and uniqueness. People say no two feathers are the same, and this could be your inspiration: don't search for boring, search for interesting! With the use of some makeup glue (found in any pharmacy) you can glue different coloured feathers on your face, and make your face a real life canvas! Take advantage of the holiday, and make yourself believe that everything is permitted. Use unusual but unique accessories, but make sure the feathers are faux, as saving the species is more important than nailing your look. Be careful with them near your eyes or mouth due to the glue, and favour applying them near your cheekbones or throughout your collarbone!

3. Vibrant colours!
Either on lipstick, eyeshadow or blush, bet on any vibrant colour this Carnaval! Even if you are not comfortable differing from your day to day makeup, I assure you that it will totally be more fun! Enjoy hues of barbie pink, bright orange or lemonade yellow, but don't forget to apply a primer or a finishing spray to make sure that the artistic makeup stays on all day! However, be alert, as the quality of the cheaper makeup brands are not as good as more expensive ones, even though the latter are an investment. Especially on this holiday season, where they will sell absolutely anything to the public, and some cheaper makeup items could cause some irritation! Be careful with everything; after all, it's your face we're talking about!

To conclude, I would like to wish you all a great holiday… and remember: what happens during Carnaval, stays in Carnaval!