If the beauty lovers of generations gone by had the same endless access to beauty tutorials via a simple scroll would we have the effervescent winged eye liner? Or mascaras in different black and brown hues in order to add an extra zing to everyday makeup looks?
Or would they have like the majority of beauty indulgers now have merely reimagined makeup looks brushstroke by brushstroke dictated by the ‘authorities’ beauty of the time?
Much like personal style, the way we lacquer our lips and dust our cheekbones is strongly rooted in tips and tricks proved to us by our favourite makeup artists and influencers. ‘Beauty Guruism’ has been a much needed leveller in a world previously guarded tightly by magazine editors, backstage makeup artists and beauty writers. Although we can universally agree that our blending techniques and natural looking brows can thank the digital beauty vanguards who have paved the way, the homogeneous feel of the three step contour highlight and blush trilogy has become synonymous with uniformed look. A perfect dewy foundation base before lip and eye makeup are applied as an interchangeable pièce de resistance to signify a new look.
The direct steps may have changed — the 2020’s favours a wispy brow pencil in place of the 2010’s cult classic pomades — however the beyond colour play and nostalgic inspiration most beauty lovers everyday ‘face’ now comprises of a beat, bake and repeat tried and true method.
As ethereal beauty shots continue to flood our feeds one things is overwhelmingly clear — ‘Instagram Face’ is a filtered wonder that leaves almost minimal room for personal beauty decisions. Does this nude shadow enhance my eyes or would a cerulean blue fit the bill better? Are my cheekbones actually my ‘star’ feature or has this tutorial simply made them standout more than my luscious lips? The decisions we make when applying make-up are now just as intrinsically linked to mainstream trends as the latest pair of jeans. Unlike jeans different shapes of legs, our faces don’t always mould to make-up fit our personal facial structures, due to the impact of the technique or look.
One new yet commonly used area of beauty has made this dilemma even harder — injectables.
‘Tweakments’ or injectables are now on par with the latest mascara drop in terms of accessibility with filler and botox and Profilho (an injectable hyaluronic acid that stimulates collagen production) more readily available that ever before. Skincare hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide might have made us all radiant and tonally even but it’s semi-permanent enhancements that have added to the similarities we see in our most of favourite beauty faces.
Written By Ata-Owaji Victor
