Do you consider makeup an art?

I have worked as a makeup artist, model, and beauty writer for several years. Makeup artistry is one of my favorite forms of art. I get to express different emotions and ideas through colors and shading.

I have learned that people don't generally view makeup artistry as art. Makeup artistry is not as easy as one might think. You have to understand color theory, just like in painting. You have to know how to transform the structure of someone's face. Makeup is like an illusion. You can make a feature on someone's face seem smaller, bigger, lighter, or darker with the placement of products.

What are your views on makeup as an art form?

 

Anyone who has watched movies or television should relize makeup is an art form of its own! Some of the actors/actresses are not as "gorgeous" in real life than on screen. In real life they look like everyone else.

Also look at all the crazy costumes at the theater or Halloween events. Anyone who can make a face look like a zipper is opening to another face is amazing! I think makeup is probley one of the harder art forms personally. You have to work with people for long period of time. From what I have seen makeup is not a fast thing!

Don't let anyone make you feel like you "just do makeup" you do so much more! You make people beautiful, or scary, or ugly, or crazy, or whatever. You canvas is the human body/face. Not only that but your art gives other artists (photographer, film geeks, ect) something to use in thier art. And that's pretty awesome!

 

Learning makeup artistry is not easy, it takes time until you are finally satisfied with your work. Like painting, it requires skill, patience, and passion. It is a form of expression. People wear makeup with reasons to impress other people or to express and feel good about themselves. Although many people don't see makeup as a form of art, I personally consider it as one.

 

Without a doubt applying makeup is an art. Anyone can throw on makeup, but truly applying it so that you get the look you want takes talent. For example, it takes a lot more makeup and a lot more time to create a no makeup or natural look than it does to create a glamorous night look. Every brush stroke is exactly the same concept of a painter and a canvas only you are the painter and your face is the canvas.

 

It is an art and a difficult one! The ability to paint your face in a way where you can modify your features and make you seem like a complete different person is one I wanted to have. You have to practice for hours and understand a lot about lighting and creating the illusion of shape like any painter would. And the best part is that you end up being your own piece of art.

 

I think that makeup as being described as an art form is completely right. I watched a documentary about this subject and was amazed at what artist's could create, eg, blood and gore or making someone look older. The finished product looked so realistic. It almost looks like they are painting on someone's face as they would a wall lol!. I also think that when they make mask moulds in the shape of a face and then use makeup on top of that, that is really impressive.

 

Everyday we follow our own paths and routines and go about our lives. With each person we greet or see walking in a store or on the street we pass judgment almost immediately based on appearance. Some people are unkempt and without makeup, while others are caked and overindulged in it. Makeup is an art form. It makes a statement about a person. With every layer, every color, and every step the person applying it is making a choice and must either draw, blend, brush, or swoop on a layer of product onto a canvas. To say that applying make up is not an art form is ridiculous. The method of blending and formation of lines and use of color being applied is the act of an artist.

 

In my opinion as a freelance illustrator I class it as Art. Make-up Artists do amazing jobs at painting the face and create visual effects, tell stories, create a mood/atmosphere through their work. It takes skills that are akin to any other art-form, an eye for color, composition, you play with light and shadow. Some transform faces, sculpting them like clay with the use of contour powders, creams and shimmer.

We even view certain make-up looks as iconic, like famous paintings, such as Marilyn Monroe or more recently Kim Kardashian's/Jennifer Lopez's unmistakable contoured glow. Outside of beauty make-up, Artists are responsible for working on stage, television and film. I see them as important figures in any media/fashion production. What would Ru Paul be today without Mathu Andersen, or Marilyn without Whitey Snyder!

 

Well, since everyone is answering the question in the same way you do, I will try bringing a new point of view. Makeup has serious features that make its status as art doubtable. The real noble art is supposed to convey a message and raise feelings amongst the public. It should also leave an open door to interpretations. Now makeup is surely very technicak and asthetical. But where are the other elements I have been talking about?

 

I definitely feel that makeup should be considered an art. You are doing what you would with a blank canvas, but your canvas is a persons face. it's the same difference to me. I don't believe art has any rules of what is, or what isn't. Art is just art, and I believe it is all around us. We are inspired by it everyday.

 

Hello fellow makeup artist! I love everything about makeup artistry, which have been a huge passion of mine for a few years. I am the most interested in special effects makeup, which I think is gaining more and more popularity. I think that people are beginning to realize that it's also a form of art, very original and hard to master.
Sfx makeup artists have to know how to sculpt, mold, paint, create wigs and so on and so on. Not mentioning the creative process, coming up with an original idea, finding ways to make your creations come to life.
I respect and appreciate any form of art and I'm full of hope that people will soon be certain that makeup is a form of art as well.

 

I like makeup art very much. I think this art is so expressive and can really manifest what the artist wants to show. I am not a big fun of very bright colors but when it comes to makeup art, the meaning that the artist links to these colors is just amazing and I end up loving it! I had the privilege to see some of this art in Venice, during their Carnival event where some people were wearing makeup art masks rather than proper masks.

 

Yes, I consider makeup as an art. When one can transform with the way the makeup is applied I think, it's wonderful. At the same time, it gives people a false sense of beauty.

 

Makeup plays a very important role in our world today, from everyday life to special effects in movies. Before the 21st Century and the 90's, makeup was mostly considered to be for women and girls, but now everybody uses makeup. The young, the old, male, female - it doesn't matter.

In the case of makeup being a form of art, I believe that it is not only a from of art, but also a discipline that requires one to be patient, creative and a risk taker to be able to create art.

 

I believe makeup does qualify as an art since you do have to have knowledge and skills to be a respected and professional makeup artist. I've always thought that if I were to do makeup for a living, I would want to do makeup for drag shows! Drag queens go all-out with their makeup and crazy styles which makes it so much more fun than regular everyday "street makeup."

 

Makeup does have qualities as art. Its a piece of art that has to be very technical. I find it very fascinating on the ability and potential makeup has on a person. The transformation it can make is unbelievable. It can be creative and it builds confidence in a individual.

 

yes i consider make up as an art. it needs you be skillful, creative, and patient. its all about technic. not all have the talent

 

Make up is an art, In fact a master art. If you don't have the skills of applying make-up it won't be easy. I saw a lady who was completely transformed just by make-up. She had bad scars on her face and looked around 40 years. After the art of make-up was done on her, She was completely transformed into a 20 year old lady.

 

@CloClo First, you're gorgeous! Second, yes, makeup is absolutely a form of art. I believe it always has been, but with the mainstream popularity that contouring has gained, it is even more so now. I, however, don't even know where to start. I can watch YouTube tutorials on the regular and still have no clue, so I have tremendous respect for artists like yourself. My talent lies more in the category of nail art.....which is also not viewed as art by most people. It doesn't have to be considered art for me to enjoy it; I only do it for myself, not others.

 

I consider makeup to be an art. Choosing the right shades and applying them to achieve a certain look or cover blemishes, scars, etc. takes skill and talent. I have always been fascinated by makeup and the difference it makes in appearance. I love wearing it, but I am no where near where I'd like to be when it comes to application. Like the poster above, I watch YouTube tutorials for ideas and I am amazed at what some of the artists can do.