Written by Ana Siguenza
Every once in a while, there is something that pops up in the beauty community that takes cosmetics from individualized appearance enhancement to a broader human connection. While mindlessly scrolling through instagram, I came across a reel by @TheLipstickLesbians www.instagram.com/thelipsticklesbians showcasing a gem of an eyeshadow palette by Mario Dedivanovic's brand, Makeup By Mario that looks to the consumer's eye as a stunning matte palette of neutrals. I turned up the volume and expected to learn about the ins and outs of the formula and it's competitive edge in the beauty market, but instead- I was a student, virtually along side the viral IG Education Duo, Alexis & Christina exploring the evolution of humanity through 12 matte eyeshadows.
Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette by Makeup By Mario
"The palette is essentially inspired by the evolution of the human skin tone," says Mario in the video. "As we migrated North, our skin began to lighten giving us an array of skin tones." Alexis shares that Mario wanted each skin tone to have its perfect neutral. With many eyeshadow palettes on the market, there are few that just get it right. Lighter browns tend to have too much orange, or darker browns have too much grey that dull on the skin, but the variety in the Master Mattes Palette https://www.makeupbymario.com/collections/eyes deliver a neutral that will enhance the bone structure helping the consumer finding their features easier with the perfect undertone. This matters because when a color fits you just right, it gives you the same feeling as the perfect pair of jeans. It enhances your best features and everything else just goes with it. (We recommend The Beauty Editor Brush from Blended Society Beauty to sweep these shades over the lid.)
At the core of skin tone variation is melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin that comes in several forms in variations of brown, black, red or yellow. The amount and type of melanin produced by an individual is largely determined by factors such as our genetics and proximity to the equator which increases melanin to protect from UV rays. The human migration and cultural development originating in Africa is a remarkable narrative of adoption, survival and voyage throughout our family's respective history.
To comprehend my family's origins even further, I completed a DNA test with www.ancestry.com and received a thorough breakdown of the ethnicities that make up me. What I found was a way for me to interpret the history of my lineage that has been lost over time and also find ways to preserve the stories I am lucky to pass down to younger generations. It provided me with a map of countries that showed the colorful concoctions of people who's cultural identities, skin tones, and lifestyles became the primary colors of who I am today.
In contemporary society, the understanding of skin tones has evolved even further, moving beyond mere biological differences to encompass issues of identity, representation and equality. The globalized world has fostered greater interaction among diverse populations, leading to a richer appreciation of beauty found in all skin tones. From the deepest shades, to the lightest shades, to olive, warm, cool, neutral, and everything in between. However, systemic racism and colorism continue to affect individuals based on their skin color. The rise of social movements, advocating for racial equality and representation has bought renewed attention to the importance of embracing skin tone diversity.
Beauty campaigns, product development, and even celebrating skin tones through eyeshadow palettes validate's someone's existence and foster a deeper understanding for the people around them. As an artist, every nuance in color is needed to create, and deserves equity on the palette. Each tone and shade tells a story of acceptance, revealing the beauty in our struggles and the warmth in our human connections.
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