Contemporary Elizabethan looks

Having looked at many historical portraits to gain insight in to the make up applied during the elizabethan era, I have furthered my research by looking in to contemporary make up looks that reference this era as well. These example could provide valuable insight in ways to manipulate my understanding of elizabethan cosmetics in to a modern representation.

This first example Im going to look at is a close up from Alexander McQueen's 2009 show.

McQueen 2009
http://tinyurl.com/qe7ccul

I feel that this make up design subtlety references the era through the use of a pale complexion, blocked out eyebrows which emulate the fashion of the elizabethan era as well as the red used on the lips which was also a trend. I feel what makes this look contemporary is the exaggerated lip line which has been taken beyond the natural form of the lips and rounded in to almost a clown like appearance. What I feel also makes this look more modern and high fashion is the use such a bold and vibrant hue of red, in the elizabethan portraits tones of rose were often used unlike this almost blood-red tone. 

Dark Beauty Magazine
http://www.darkbeautymag.com/2013/07/david-amar-naama/

The second image Im going to examine is an image from Dark Beauty magazine. The Make up Artist featured is Revital Franko. What I love about this image is how flawless and beautifully porcelain the skin looks in this image. The application of such a pale skin tone strongly emulates that of the Elizabethan era. The pale and flawless complexion is enhanced by the continuation of this in to the eyelashes which have also been coated in white. Similarly the eyebrows have also been blocked out which also resonates this time period as eyebrows were entirely plucked to emphasise a high forehead. What makes this look more contemporary is use the use of a very bold matte lip. The colour used is an oxblood red, not a tone typically seen in elizabethan portraiture. The use an identical colour on the nails emphasises the bold lip and thus makes it stand out even more. 

Finally the last contemporary image I'm going to look at is an editorial image from 'Make Up Magazine Romania'.

'Make up Magazine Romania'
http://tinyurl.com/loq4nxo

The reason I think this image references the elizabethan era if the emphasis on a pale complexion. The skin is almost completely white with some subtle skin warmth coming through. The pale complexion is emphasised by the use of a very dark shadow above the eyes which overall makes the look feel more sinister. i feel the use of black shadowing also makes the look more contemporary as the Elizabethans didn't really use kohl or eyeshadow. Like the other images the eyebrows have been blanked out, but in this look they have almost been re-represented through the adornment of pearls along the brow and forehead. Again I think the use of pearls reinforces the pale complexion but also references the elizabethan era as these gems were often used to adorn gowns and the hair.