ARABIC EYE MAKEUP WITH AN AFRICAN TWIST

I looooove the artistry involved in Arabic eye makeup! The bold colours, the exaggerated eyeliner and the use of heavy false lashes create a look that is very intense and dramatic. It’s a makeup look where you have to either go hard or go home, so it’s definitely not for those who are makeup shy! For inspiration I first did a google search on ‘arabic eye makeup‘ and then decided to create my own version. The colours I chose for this makeup look were taken from an orange and blue earring which I’ve had for years but have rarely worn. I removed the hook from the earring and attached it to a necklace to create my headpiece. I decided to challenge myself and attempt a double cut crease, which is where you really define the crease of the upper eyelid twice by drawing two lines above each other. Mastering a cut crease does require some practice; I haven’t quite nailed it yet but I’m determined to conquer it.

When I was deciding on how to style myself for this photoshoot, I chose to add an African twist by wearing a head wrap, bold gold jewellery and by adding dots around my outer eyebrows – the dots remind me of the tribal marks my maternal grandmother had on her body. So this makeup look is a fusion of two different cultures and I like how it turned out. I feel that this look is what I would wear if I was an African princess attending an Arabic event. I would of course be brought into the event on my gold throne, carried by four muscular men wearing leopard skin loincloths, and an entourage of dancers. Well, since I’m not a princess and can’t live out that fantasy, I might as well get dressed up and watch Disney’s Aladdin while singing ‘Arabian nights’, LOL!

(N.B. Before anyone gets offended I’m just kidding. African Princesses are not always carried on thrones….they often walk or are driven in cars. They really aren’t like Eddie Murphy in the ‘Coming to America Movie’.)

I used MAC’s glitter in ‘Reigning Riches’ on my eyelids; it’s a very bold orange-gold glitter which I probably wouldn’t be brave enough to wear during the day, but it works perfectly for this dramatic eye look. Unfortunately, this glitter was a limited edition and MAC no longer makes it which is a shame, but you can try using MAC’s glitter in ‘Reflects Bronze‘ to create a similar look. Metallic lipsticks are in fashion right now but since I didn’t have one that suited my eye makeup, I created it by first applying a nude lipstick (MAC ‘Fresh Brew’) and then I used my finger to dab a metallic eyeshadow all over my lips. So don’t feel you have to buy a new metallic lipstick, you can just apply metallic eyeshadow on top of your lipstick of choice. I really had fun creating this makeup look and photographing it. Enjoy the pictures below, and I hope that they inspire you to experiment with makeup and to enjoy the fusion of different cultures. I believe that something awesome can happen when different cultures collide.

P.S. For more makeup looks check out my Facebook page and Instagram.

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