#Cosmo Exclusive: the Iconic Makeover Project

We asked four celebrity make-up artists to reimagine some of the most extraordinary paintings the world has seen. The result: a 2019 make-up reboot that’s anything but ordinary.

By Meghna Sharma

15 November, 2019

#Cosmo Exclusive: the Iconic Makeover Project

1. Celebrity Make-up Artist: Vidya Tikari

Makeover Muse: Tamara In A Green Bugatti by Tamara de Lempicka, 1929

“In the original, Tamara’s bold red lips are paired with a clean face. For my version, I decided to make her eyes the focal point of the look. I opted for eyeshadows in contrasting shades to add depth, but with a hint of pop. I used the Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation to even out the complexion. To contour, I used Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix, followed by the Bobbi Brown Bronzer to create chiselled cheekbones. I finished up with muted, two-toned lips—filled the lips with the M·A·C Lip Pencil in Chestnut and swiped on a hint of M·A·C Lipstick in Taupe in the middle.”

Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation, strawberrynet.com, ₹3,600 approx.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Eye Shadow Rich Lustre in Poison Ivy, ₹3,300

M·A·C Rose-Gilded Eye Shadow Palette, ₹4,200

M·A·C Matte Lipstick in Taupe, ₹1,700

M·A·C Lip Pencil in Chestnut, ₹1,600

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick, ₹1,800 approx

2. Sonic Sarwate: Global Senior Artist at M·A·C Cosmetics India

Makeover Muse: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, 1503

“This painting is iconic, and when I thought of reimagining it, I wanted the look to feature classic elements with a touch of modernism. The heavy-on-the-blush face with a bold mouth is one of my favourite looks, which I feel will always be on-trend. I added a soft definition to the face using the M·A·C Burgundy Times Nine Palette, and the subtle contour is courtesy Studio Sculpt And Shape Contour Palette. I added strong brows and brown smokey eyes to the mix, and finished the look on this icon with the iconic shade: Ruby Woo.”

M·A·C Eyeshadow Palette X 9 in Burgundy Times Nine, ₹3,400

M·A·C Studio Fix Sculpt And Shape Contour Palette, ₹4,550

M·A·C Lip Pencil in Ruby Woo, ₹1,450

3. Ashima Kapoor: Celebrity Make-Up Artist

Makeover Muse: Self-portrait (untitled) by Amrita Sher-Gill, 1933

“Keeping in mind the Indian-Hungarian painter’s prominent features, I decided to go with a very classic, Indian look that has an old-world charm. I started by defining her thick, bushy brows with Benefit’s Foolproof Brow Powder. I used the shade Coco from the Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette on the lids and under the waterline to define the eyes, and then created the extended wing with M·A·C Liquidlast Eyeliner. The XXL lashes are courtesy Dior’s DiorShow Blackout Mascara (Waterproof). I dusted the cheeks with M·A·C’s Rosy Blush in Fleur Power. As the original painting features bold, bright lips, I decided to opt for a more subtle (but still bold!) shade—burgundy. The final touch: a bindi.”

Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette in Remastered, 5,375

Benefit Foolproof Brow Powder, 2,290

M·A·C Matte Powder Blush in Fleur Power, 2,150

M·A·C Liquidlast Liner in Point Black, 2,100

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Exorcism, katvonbeauty.com, 1,400 approx

Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara Waterproof, price on request

4. Marianna Mukuchyan: Celebrity Make-up Artist

Makeover Muse: Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol, 1967

“Marilyn was known to be very glamorous, and my version of her is a mix of ’80s glam with a hint of elegance. To give her a dewy complexion, I mixed a drop of liquid highlighter with foundation. Then, I used a matte (shimmer-less) bronzer to warm up her face. With eyeliner taking a more graphic shape, I drew an extended wing, also lining the top of her lids, and filling up the centre with a glittery shadow. Bold eyes with bold lips might be a no-no IRL, but Marilyn deserves to stand out. Finishing touches include a heavy dose of blush and a golden star.”