Contemporary Elizabethan Make-up

The following images are examples of how Elizabethan glamour and beauty has influenced makeup in a contemporary way.
                                                               
This image is taken from Vogue Korea in October 2012. This particular shoot was called Gothic Elegance by Hyea W. Kang. Yadim was the makeup artist for this shoot. I feel that this image has quite a few symbolic references towards Elizabethan Beauty.

Firstly the hair has a middle parting, that forms a heart shape which symbolizes the heart shaped hair Queen Elizabeth had. The hair is also covered with beads that look like pearls, which symbolized the Queen's purity. The pale skin is another give away. Rouge lips and cheeks were very popular in that time and they have been  used in this image as well.

Gold was used as a symbol of wealth and this can be linked as it has been used on the eyelids. The makeup, does definitely represent Elizabethan styles, However the pose of the model also referenced to Elizabethan portraiture. The way she stands makes her look full of elegance and the use of hands as Elizabeth loved her hands.

I noticed that the model's hand have a shimmer of gold on them. This could also relate back to the sign of wealth and love.  Her costume is black which was one of the Queen's favorite colors. It flares out from the waste which kind of relates to the big puffy dresses in the Elizabethan era. The sleeves of the dress has studs on them and even if they are not big loose sleeves it gives the illusion that they are, like Elizabeth had in the the portrait in which she was a princess. The stud around the neck almost looks like a precious stone. However, I feel that even though this modern interpretation has many symbolic references it is much more Gothic in a bold way but is stunning.

Ref
https://models.com/Work/vogue-korea-gothic-elegance




Kristy Mitchell created a fantasy world called wonderland in which she shows her passion for photography. This image is also an example of contemporary Elizabethan makeup. The model's skin is pale yet very dazzling.

It almost has that youthful glow that was very popular during the Elizabethan era. Bleached eyebrows give the illusion of a high forehead and the lashes are also white in this image. The heart shaped hair with the curls at the front is a typical hairstyle of that era.

The posture of the model is very sophisticated, in the sense that it gives off a very royal look. The use of hands in the image, the neck jewel and the huge collar ruff, are all historical references of the Elizabethan era however, this is a very modernized version of Elizabethan beauty. This image  gives off a futuristic alien look.

This could be because of the colors used. The heavy contouring on the cheeks and the use of the same color on the eyes. This almost looks like an monochromatic look. This makeup design overall looks very simple yet very modern as it has many historical symbols to the Elizabethan era, however it has a completely futuristic approach.

Ref
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2145760/Wonderland-Kirsty-Mitchell-heart-breakingly-beautiful-photographic-series-memory-extraordinary-life.html

This look of Beyonce was created by Sir John for her Mrs Carter world tour campaign. Just by looking at the  image every feature shouts out the word royalty.

Looking at the makeup in this image Beyonce doesn't have the typical white pale look, but she has a youthful glow in her skin. She has brows, however she has the high forehead, rouge cheeks and lips. Her hair is crimped and messily put into a puff from the front.

She has a crown that symbolizes royalty. This also symbolizes The Armada Portrait in which the Queens crown is also in the image. The pearls around her neck symbolize the Queens purity. The massive ruff around her shoulder is quite modern yet does relate back to the Elizabethan era. Her dress by Alexander McQueen, is embroidered with jewels and the ends of her sleeves are hanging like in the Elizabeth's portrait where she was still a princess.

Beyonce's pose in this image emphasizes that she rules the world, this strongly symbolizes the queens portraits. The use of the gold color in this image represents wealth. In conclusion, I really like the youthful glow in her skin and I would like to have my final design with the same. Overall I really like how modern the appearance of this image is yet it shouts back to the Elizabethan Era.

Ref
http://glamazondiaries.com/2013/02/beyonce-wears-vintage-gold-thierry-mugler-corset-for-mrs-carter-world-tour-promo/