It’s that time of year again, the joyous celebration gathering family and friends to commemorate the lives of souls passed on. Día de Muertos, or “Day of the Dead” is widely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America every year on November first and second. Traditionally, Día de Muertos comes with many elements that carry their own significance that you’ll surely recognize, such as traditional embroidered clothing, vibrant seasonal flowers and most popular, elegantly curated skeletal themes.
At NYX Professional Makeup, we consider ourselves the brand of entertainment, celebrating artistry for everyone, breaking boundaries and making our own rules. La Alma de la Fiesta means the soul (or life) of the party, and embodies our approach to living out loud with makeup. How are we honoring la Alma de la Fiesta this Día de Muertos? Glad you asked, we’re serving pro artistry with Las Catrinas.
WHAT IS LA CATRINA?
La Catrina can be translated as “elegant skull”, a term originated from Mexican illustrator Guadalupe Posada who drew a stylized skeleton dressed up in fancy French garb intending it as social commentary on Mexican society’s emulation of European sophistication. Fast forward to present day, La Catrina is the Day of the Dead’s most iconic symbol. Let’s get into all the deets from our pro artists in Los Angeles creating these iconic Las Catrinas.
VIBRANT PRO ARTISTRY THAT CELEBRATES THE SOUL OF THE PARTY
Creating a La Catrina look is incredibly similar to any other makeup look in a sense that you can really make it your own. Go as simple as you want, or as intricate as you want. It’s up to you to explore your artistry by spicing your look up with lots of color or sticking with your trusty neutral tones.
CREATING A BASE
Apply a thin layer of Bare With Me Tint Foundation as usual. Spot conceal as needed with Bare With Me Concealer Serum. (Don’t worry about concealing your under eye, that’s coming!)
STRUCTURING THE HOLLOWS OF THE EYES
A major theme you will see in most La Catrina makeup is an embellished eye socket.
To define the hollows of the eyes, start by tracing the perimeter with SFX Face & Body Sticks from the tail of the brow, drawing down just below the eye and closing the loop at the front of the brow. Fill in the entire area from bone to bone, down to upper cheek.
Use Jumbo Eye Pencil in shade Milk for a white base ensuring all shades placed over top are true to color.
Or fully commit with Jumbo Eye Pencil in shade Black Bean for immediate depth, however this may be challenging to add color over top.
DRESSING THE EYES
Here’s where you can let your creativity run wild! Grab your Ultimate Shadow Palette in I Know That’s Bright and begin building your look.
Start by creating a smokey eye and continuing to extend and exaggerate the shades within the hollows you’ve created with Jumbo Eye Pencil.
Add drama by applying a wing liner with Epic Ink Waterproof Liner in Black. Try stacking your favorite Jumbo False Lashes to bring even more attention to the eyes.
ADDING DETAIL & DEFINITION
Creating lace or line details is another fun way to define the eyes, cheekbones and chin.
With Vivid Matte Liquid Liner in shade White, add a laced or scallop detail to the perimeter of the hollows of the eyes, cheekbones and chin.
Add depth and dimension by outlining the white detail with Vivid Matte Liquid Liner in shade Black.
CREATING BONES & TEETH
When it comes to creating bones and teeth, it’s a lot like painting. Add structure to the bones and teeth first, then add definition with deeper shades like black and brown.
Epic Smoke Liner is perfect for fine detailing teeth due to its triangular shape. Highlight teeth shape with the wide side of White Smoke, distinguish each tooth with the fine tip of Black Smoke. Soften with paddle brush as needed.
For bones on the chest and hands, trace bones with SFX Face & Body Paint Stick in shade Giving Ghost. Define bones with shade Midnight in LA.
Pro Tip: Create depth with brown - mix SFX Face & Body Paint Stick in shades Bad Witch Energy and Mischief Night . Lighten by adding Giving Ghost to the mixture.
PRODUCTS USED
.jpg?sw=270&sfrm=jpg&q=70)
SFX FACE & BODY PAINT STICKS
7 powerful shades to create your wildest SFX look.
Jumbo Eye Pencil
Multi-use eye crayon
ULTIMATE SHADOW PALETTE
Pro-Level 16 pan Palette
.jpg?sw=270&sfrm=jpg&q=70)
VIVID MATTE LIQUID LINER - WHITE
Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Epic Smoke Liner
All-In-One Smokey Eyeliner Stick
