These days, computer graphics and video game graphics are so high resolution that it's sometimes hard to believe you're looking at a digital rendering and not something caught in 4K. But given the wild year 2020 has been, it makes sense that people are feeling nostalgic and paying homage to simpler times - when the look was completely open and the CGI was a bit more low-res.
This was clearly the 22-year-old blogger's inspiration when she posted a now-viral makeup look that mimicked pixelated, blown-up computer graphics. “I was inspired by the vintage aesthetic of arcade games and wanted to create a look with 8-bit hearts,” she says. “After playing around a bit, I decided to challenge myself and make all the eyeshadows pixelated, while adding stars and hearts as fun pops of color.”
Before the makeup brush touched her face, she sketched out the look she wanted to create in pixel art software to get a feel for what the makeup execution would look like. “When I drew the designs on the face, I first sketched out the general shape of the look using colored pencils, which are easier to manipulate, and then outlined the lines using water-activated liners for the final look.” “Over time the process has become easier; I found it easier to work in rows and columns rather than individual squares.” She used a barrel brush to create tiny blocky lines. This is the tool she says she prefers when doing any eye makeup using water-activated liners.
The work immediately inspired other beauty enthusiasts on social media, and now 8-bit makeup has become a full-fledged internet trend.
After applying concealer to her eyelids, she outlined the base of the design with eyeshadow. Then, using face paints, she created the pixelated detail. "I dip my brush into the paint every time I apply a new stroke to my face to maintain the original color," she explains. “It can be very time-consuming, especially with items with a lot of intricate detail, but it’s worth it when you see the end result.”
Before the makeup brush touched her face, she sketched out the look she wanted to create in pixel art software to get a feel for what the makeup execution would look like. “When I drew the designs on the face, I first sketched out the general shape of the look using colored pencils, which are easier to manipulate, and then outlined the lines using water-activated liners for the final look.” “Over time the process has become easier; I found it easier to work in rows and columns rather than individual squares.” She used a barrel brush to create tiny blocky lines. This is the tool she says she prefers when doing any eye makeup using water-activated liners.
The work immediately inspired other beauty enthusiasts on social media, and now 8-bit makeup has become a full-fledged internet trend.
After applying concealer to her eyelids, she outlined the base of the design with eyeshadow. Then, using face paints, she created the pixelated detail. "I dip my brush into the paint every time I apply a new stroke to my face to maintain the original color," she explains. “It can be very time-consuming, especially with items with a lot of intricate detail, but it’s worth it when you see the end result.”
