Last June, BuzzFeed uploaded a video on their Yellow channel which featured different beauty standards from around the world. This video quickly became viral because of how it showed the contrasting and somewhat unique perspectives of beauty in various countries.

     The mastermind behind this project called Before & After is journalist Esther Honig who sent an unedited self-portrait to over 40 individuals in 25 different countries, asking to make her beautiful through photo editing. The objective was to showcase what various people consider as beautiful.     

     It is quite eye-opening for us to get a little view on what other people consider as “beautiful”. It’s as if our interpretations of beauty are somehow based from the culture we are raised in and from the people we see everyday. The fact that what we see as beautiful might not be seen that way by another person is interesting yet strange at the same time. 

So my question is: If beauty is subjective, when is someone considered aesthetically ugly?

- Reign Gonzales
Source

           Two weeks ago, we talked about how Korea is becoming the number one beauty crazed country in the world. From their cool innovations to bold products and everything in between, if you need something to enhance your beauty, they've probably already invented or produced it. However, what not many realize is that America has produced so many more leading make-up brands. So here are the top ten best make-up brands made and based in America!

xx,
Victoria Urrutia
Sources: 1 | 2 | 3
*and all the sites mentioned above
click the photos for their sources

     One thing Japan is famous for is the Geisha culture. Geisha comes from the words ‘gei’, which means entertainer, and ‘sha’ which means person. These women are highly trained performers and hostesses skilled in traditional Japanese arts, music, and dance. Usually, they entertain guests at banquets or other high class occasions. The most notable thing about these geishas are their makeup. With their pure white face, crimson red lips, and their captivating eye makeup, it’s hard not to notice these women.

     The Maiko (apprentice) is taught how to properly put on the makeup by a Geisha; and this takes a lot of dedicated practice to perfect the true Geisha look. The most distinct part of their makeup is the matte white base. This opaque liquid makeup is called Oshiroi, which literally means ‘white powder’. Before the oshiroi is applied, a Geisha must put on bintsuke-abura, which is an oil substance that is used to help the white base adhere. The Oshiroi is then mixed with water to form a paste and is applied on the chest all the way up to the face; and in a ‘W’ or ‘V’ shape at the nape. This is applied using a bamboo brush. Also, the hairline is left unwhitened to give the impression of a mask. The look is then topped of with a deep red lip, black eyebrows, and pinkish-red eyelids. 

     To give you an idea on what the whole process is like, here is a video of Maiko Fukunae doing her makeup and sharing her experience as a Geisha apprentice [includes subtitles]:

- Reign Gonzales
Sources: 1, 2