The Inspo vs. The result

Hey everyone! I’m still pretty new to the creative makeup scene, but I recently stumbled upon this incredible 'inspo' look that I just had to try recreating. You know how it is – you see something dazzling online, and your inner artist just screams, 'I can do that!' This particular look featured stunning yellow winged eyeshadow, playful faux freckles, and those irresistible glossy lips, all tied together with a quirky ripe banana as a prop. The original image even had this cool dimly lit vibe with strong shadows that really made the makeup pop. My journey started with gathering my tools. For the yellow winged eyeshadow, I opted for a bright, matte yellow pigment, aiming for that sharp, elongated wing. It’s always a bit tricky to get both sides symmetrical, isn't it? I spent a good while blending and sharpening the edges to get that perfect flick. Then came the faux freckles. I used a brow pencil a shade lighter than my natural hair color, dotting them across my nose and cheeks, trying to make them look as natural and scattered as possible. It’s amazing how a few dots can totally transform a face! For the lips, a simple but effective clear glossy lip product was all I needed to achieve that plump, dewy finish seen in the inspiration. And of course, no recreation of this look would be complete without the star prop – the ripe banana! Positioning it just right for the photo was almost as much fun as doing the makeup itself. Comparing my 'result' to the 'inspo' image, I feel like I captured the essence, especially with the vibrant yellow and the playful freckles. Getting the exact lighting and mood of the original, which looked quite professional and dimly lit with those dramatic strong shadows, was definitely a challenge in my home setup. But I think the spirit of the look shines through! If you’re thinking of trying a similar creative makeup challenge, here are a few tips I picked up: Prep your lid: An eyeshadow primer is a game-changer for vibrant colors like yellow. It helps the pigment stand out and last longer. Take your time with wings: Use a small angled brush and build up the wing gradually. Q-tips with micellar water are your best friend for clean-up! Freckle technique: Don’t make them too uniform. Vary the size and placement, and lightly tap with your finger to blur them slightly for a more natural effect. Embrace the props: Don't be afraid to incorporate fun elements like a ripe banana or other themed items to tell your makeup story. Lighting matters: While I struggled to fully replicate the inspo's dimly lit environment, trying different light sources (natural light, ring light) can drastically change how your makeup looks in photos. Experiment! It was such a fun experience stepping out of my comfort zone and trying this bold look. What are your thoughts? Did I nail it, or is there room for improvement? I'd love to hear any tips or tricks you have for creative makeup looks, especially recreating complex ones from scratch!