GUYANA’S local makeup industry continues to churn out scores of makeup artists, until it seems as though there are more MUAs than clients these days.
Nevertheless, makeup continues to enjoy a prolific lifestyle, as MUAs continue to switch things up with their presentation and packaging of their services.
But more than that, increased knowledge in the art of makeup puts MUAs in a position to help makeup users to learn more everyday use of products and other beneficial tips.

One such area includes the use of foundation, powder and the importance of finding the right shade.
Too many times, women are misled into purchasing shades of makeup that do not fit their complexion, which leads to an unnatural look. But MUAs have continued to advise persons on how to go about choosing products that are best for their skin.
For 23-year-old Clinton Duncan, he believes that in 2017, natural is in; so it is important for women to show their natural beauty rather than have a caked-on appearance with the use of makeup.

MORE TO MAKEUP
“When you look at the history of makeup, in Egyptian times and earlier periods, it was more than an enhancement; makeup was something that was worn to prove wealth and to be noticed,” Clint told The Buzz.
“In the early days of Hollywood, they would blank out the face with a cake of foundation then outline features they thought were beautiful,” he said.
“This way, it became acceptable for exaggerated colours and tones to be worn. But the time for this has long gone,” he said.
“Coming out of the 70s and 80s, makeup moved into a place where beauty makeup is more of an enhancement rather than a transformation. Beauty experts today just try to cover flaws. Even bigger makeup artists who do makeup for celebrities like Beyoncé and Iman apply it in a way that you have breathable skin.
“So that is what we should aim for when looking for shades that match our skin. Even if we exaggerate the eyes, lips or cheeks, your foundation should blend with your skin.”
For makeup novices, Clinton suggests that choosing the right foundation is something that should take time before purchasing. For those who can afford it, he suggests that they visit a professional MUA to be tested; and for women purchasing their makeup at drug stores, he suggests that they use the skin on their neck as a guideline.
“The skin on the neck is a bit darker than on your face, and many persons usually try to blend their makeup from their face into their neck and that is not necessary,” he said.
“If you find a foundation that blends with your neck, you can just focus on the face,” he added.

DARKER SHADES
But one of the issues that women of colour have encountered with the makeup market is the inability to find shades for darker complexions, a problem that Clinton says goes beyond just Guyana.
He notes too, that most times, it is the inexpensive brands that do cater for darker shades, and while this is not necessarily a racially-charged decision on the part of the expensive brands to carry lighter shades, Clinton believes that it is perhaps that many brands underestimate the spending power of coloured women.

“Black women are known to be loyal for life to a brand that they find that matches their skin. So, while there may not be a large number, there is longevity on the part of customer loyalty,” he said.
It is this need for more inclusion of darker shades that has also led to some of Clinton’s most recent work. He has received much acclaim from his clients and other followers following recent posts on social media showcasing darker women, and other women of colour, in contrasting shades of makeup. The makeup is also painted on to portray various abstract concepts.
“Most times when we see MUAs put out work locally, it has become monotonous; you see countless variations of cut crease, smoky eyes, winged eye liners…
“But, coming from a background in theatre makeup, I got bored of the portrayals. I wanted to do something that was beauty, but more than regular posts you would see on your timeline; things that would have more meaning.
“When you start with theatre, you’re open to a wider range of possibilities, and the rules are less restrictive than beauty makeup,” he said.
Each portrayal carries a different theme, and also a subliminal message, with names such as “Black-and-Gold”, “Savage Beauty”, and “Greenhouse Effect”.
“They serve as puns for current issues and current affairs,” Clint said, adding:
“I wanted to, in my own artistic way, contribute to social activism of certain issues like climate change and race issues that garner much attention today.”