In past posts when looking at different cultural styles of makeup, both the Japanese and French looks were relatively simple. Although they may have taken time and numerous products to complete the look, the result was in fact rather simplistic. However, this time we will be focusing on makeup inspired by the Arab culture, which is much bolder and noticeably more dramatic. Liz, Maria, and I found that Middle Eastern women tend to go for particularly dark—and honestly, quite intense—makeup, especially around the eyes.
I began the look by starting with my eyebrows. In doing so I focused on making them very thick and defined, as this is the style often desired in Arab makeup. Once I completed the brows I then moved onto my eyeshadow. To create the classic Arabic look I went in with many different colors, while carrying all of them outward past my eye to really elongate its shape. After completing the shadows, I went in with a deep black eyeliner and created a bold wing on the outer corner of my eye. To enhance the boldness and elongated shape of my eye even more so, I took the liner all the way back to my inner corner and created a type of miniature wing there as well. Finally, after completing this intense eye makeup, I completed my face makeup with foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, and highlighter, while keeping everything rather simplistic and matte. However, as commonly done in Arab culture, I lastly used my bronzer to create even more chiseled features, to top it all off.
Upon completing this look on myself, I honestly felt a bit uncomfortable, as I typically tend to keep my own makeup rather minimal—and especially seeing as I have blonde hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion which is quite different from the traditional Arab woman. Also, it was interesting that while wearing this makeup myself, I realized how much of a contrast there is between the traditionally modest attire of middle eastern women and their bold, even sultry makeup style. I noticed that the style makeup was done in a way which purposefully gave the eyes—and face all together—a much more defined and sculpted structure. Due to women in the Middle East often having to cover most of their body other than their face, because of governmental or religious purposes, makeup can be used as a freeing form of expression.
Within the U.S., both women and men are able to dress in ways that they feel are representative of not only their culture, but also themselves as individuals. However, in other cultures, this is not always the case. Oftentimes in Middle Eastern countries, women have strict guidelines regarding clothing and modesty, which often only allows the eyes and facial features to be seen in items such as a hijab. I know that if I personally had to wear clothes that fit my body in this way, I would feel very insecure about appearing feminine. I wonder if this is ever something Middle Eastern experience in their own day-to-day lives. If so, perhaps because of these feelings of insecurity in their appearance, makeup may become another form of self expression, as well as a way of expressing women’s femininity, as the feminine structure of their bodies are so concealed. In this way, I think the bold and defined makeup often seen in Arab cultures is not only a way for women to allow themselves to feel beautiful—as all women wish to—but also a way for them to embrace their feminine nature and grow in self-confidence.
While makeup is a universal way of expressing one’s unique beauty, for Arab women in particular it is also a way of showing the sultry and vibrant aspects of their femininity as a whole, along with the possibly more independent and strong aspects of their personality.
