Makeover in A Minute: When Trademark Becomes Trap

In fashion and makeup, it’s always been important to cultivate a signature look. Something that works like a physical signature, a specific piece that proudly proclaims ‘This is who I am’. A trademark. However, at what point does a trademark become a just another boring old pattern? Isn't one of the best things about makeup is that it will always wash off. You can try new things, test new colours or play with different textures and application methods, and if it doesn't work out you can always go back and start over. 

Marilyn had her red, glossy lips which became synonymous with sex appeal. Audrey, whose cropped haircut and matching cropped trouser made her the dictionary definition of 'gamine'. Twiggy had the dark eye makeup paired with a nude lip, the ubiquitous Mod Girl uniform. You get the idea. And just in case you don't, here are some more contemporary examples of women who have mastered the art of the Signature Look. 


Perhaps to the point of becoming victim to it. 

Angelina Jolie is living, breathing, gorgeous proof of that old beauty adage Less is More. But I suppose when you're this insanely beautiful, you can't really go far wrong when it comes to makeup. 


What I like about her look is that she doesn't feel the need to try too hard, and she's always consistent. That being said, there are really no surprises with her anymore. Angelina shows up on a red carpet with a strongly defined yet never overdone eye and neutral colour playing down those famous full lips of hers. Safe. Almost wholesome. It kind of makes me long for the days where she was cutting herself, wearing Billy Bob's blood in a vial round her neck and inappropriately kissing her brother at the Academy Awards. 

Dita Von Teese occupies what might be considered the opposite side of the makeup spectrum, but the two women are not without their similarities. Like Angelina, Dita is always consistent with her retro pin-up brand of beauty. But there is nothing that's not overdone here. The carefully powdered milky white skin, bow lips perfectly painted deep red, the winged edge of her black eyeliner creating the textbook cat-eye... it's always the same. 


Don't get me wrong - I love the look. This is classic beauty at its finest, taken from the Golden Age of makeup and done with such precision it's enough to make the picky artist in me weep. But, just once, wouldn't you like to see Dita rock some turquoise eye shadow with a coral glossy lip? Because I know I would. 
                  

Finally, we have Kim Kardasian. Believe it or not, her look has something in common with both of the ladies above. She favours the same strong eye and nude lip look as Angelina, and like Dita, there is nothing subtle about it. 


But that's where the similarities end. Our other ladies are classy. I see no class here.


Seriously, does she not look like a Bratz doll come to life? The layers of lip gloss, the thick liner, the oozing cleavage... it's all just too much. And this is coming from someone who absolutely adores drag queens! I find there's a certain charm in a well-executed queen. With this, I'm afraid all I see is trash trying to be class. 


Does that officially make me old? 




I think that the moral to this posting is simply this: Having a signature look in your makeup is important, but just as important is recognizing when it's time to shake things up a little. 
Never become a slave to your own beauty routine. When a look starts to become too comfortable, or you can put your makeup on with your eyes closed, then it's time to think about the next impression you want to make.