SEMESTER PROJECT: MakeUp is My Art

Mariven Diaz 

Professor Cacoilo 

Art & Women 

4/24/17

MakeUp is My Art

CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM PAGE!
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My topic for the semester project will be focused on female activists and makeup artists who use makeup to bring awareness to social issues. I decided to choose this topic because I am a makeup artist at Sephora and have a makeup page on Instagram that showcases different looks. Working in the beauty industry, I see how social media and society can warp the definition of what beauty is. Women that I have chosen to write about and take inspiration from are Palestinian activist Rand Jarallah who campaigns for women’s rights and raises awareness for various social issues, makeup artist Ebony Malika who raises awareness on domestic violence, and Nikki de Jager, YouTube beauty blogger with a following of 6.6 million followers created a movement called “The Power of Makeup” that sheds light on makeup shaming.
I created my Instagram to use it as a platform to showcase that make up is not about looking good, vanity, being shallow, or hiding behind a mask. People on the outside view the beauty community as a bunch of fake people who only care about looks and are seen as insecure who try to be someone they’re not. Women who love makeup are seen as influencing little girls to think makeup is the answer to masking one’s true self or they’re showing them what is supposed to be the real image of beauty. My posts are here to bring awareness and highlight those who use makeup to shed light on social issues. People tend to but put a stigma on using makeup and how it can disempower women. WRONG. Makeup is an art form. Yes, it’s used to enhance our features, but it’s also used to empower people and raise awareness about social issues. Social media has so much influence on people, unfortunately at times more bad than good. This page is a place to be educated, empowered, and inspired to do what you want despite what society says. We need more people to use their voice for good and to build each other up. Stay tuned for the work of a few of the many AWESOME, FEARLESS, and FIERCEST women who use their platforms to voice out issues that call for attention and action. 

Social issues covered:

• Gender Based Violence
• Gender Roles
• Cyber Bullying
• Anorexia
• Domestic Violence 
• Issue within beauty community - Makeup Shaming 

Makeup doesn’t always involve covering up our imperfections, it’s also used to shed light on the world’s.

C I T A T I O N S

Claire, Marie. "Rand Jarallah: The Palestinian Make up Artist Working with UNFPA." Marie Claire. N.p., 14 Sept. 2016. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/reports/rand-jarallah-the-palestinian-make-up-artist-working-with-unfpa-296029>.

"Powerful Video Shows Battered Woman Reverse the Effects of Domestic Violence." The New York Times. The New York Times, 28 Nov. 2016. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/11/28/powerful-video-shows-battered-woman-reverse-the-effects-of-domestic-violence/>.

"Gender-based Violence." United Nations Population Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://www.unfpa.org/gender-based-violence>.
Domestic Violence Main Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/what.htm>.
Domestic Violence: Fast Facts on Domestic Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/facts.htm>.

"The Dangers of Makeup Shaming." Proud2Bme. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017. <http://proud2bme.org/content/dangers-makeup-shaming http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/06/24/the-power-of-makeup-shamers-before-after_n_7652046.html>.