UK, LONDON - Breaking Norms: The Visionary Makeup Behind Julia Engle Tomeczk’s Finalist Look at Alternative Hair Show, London

The Alternative Hair Show 2024 in London was an electrifying celebration of creativity and innovation, where the world's most talented hairstylists and artists converged to push the boundaries of beauty. With the theme "Evolution," this year's event was all about challenging conventional aesthetics and exploring what the future of hair and makeup could look like. As the makeup artist for Julia Engle Tomeczk’s finalist entry in the Cut & Color category for the Visionary Award, I was thrilled to have complete creative freedom. Julia trusted me entirely to design a makeup look that would complement her bold hairstyle, allowing me to fully unleash my imagination and bring a unique vision to life.

The Makeup: Crafting a Futuristic Look for "Evolution"

Key Techniques and Concepts

Working closely with Julia, my goal was to design a makeup look that complemented her daring hairstyle while capturing the spirit of "Evolution." The result was an avant-garde makeup style that blurred the lines between beauty and art, creating an "otherworldly" effect that was bold, modern, and visually captivating.

1. Glass Skin Technique: To achieve a futuristic, reflective look, I used a glass skin technique inspired by Pat McGrath’s work at the Maison Margiela Spring 2024 Couture Collection. The skin was airbrushed with a liquid that created a dewy, almost wet-looking sheen, giving the face a luminous, high-shine effect that appeared as though it was made of glass. This ethereal glow helped enhance the futuristic feel of the entire look, making the model appear almost sculptural under the stage lights.
2. Blocked Brows for an Edge: To add a touch of the unconventional, the model's eyebrows were blocked out, removing traditional facial framing and giving the look a more alien, futuristic quality. This bold choice aligned with Julia's vision of pushing beyond the norm, allowing the focus to shift entirely to the makeup and hair.
3. Pink as the Dominant Shade: Julia's hair featured a baby pink tone, so I chose pink as the main color in the makeup to create a harmonious look. The eye makeup started at the center of the face and expanded outward, changing the model’s anatomy by placing the pink under the brow bone and fading outwards. This gave the appearance of the face "opening up" in a striking visual effect. In the outer corners, the pink was extended into a straight, softened line that connected seamlessly with the blush, creating a fluid transition across the face.
4. Purple and Navy Contouring: Around the eyes, I used a mix of purple and navy as a contour to add depth and intensity to the look. This darker shading grounded the lightness of the pink tones, ensuring the makeup maintained a bold and dramatic presence, even from a distance. The darker hues provided contrast, enhancing the sculptural quality of the makeup.
5. Blush and Face Contour: The blush, also in shades of pink with hints of purple, was applied in a sweeping motion to create a dynamic contour that added structure to the face. This approach extended the color palette from the eyes to the cheeks, creating a unified and futuristic aesthetic.
6. Lips with a Light and Shadow Play: To continue the futuristic theme, I added a purplish tint to the center of the lips, creating a gradient that emphasized the natural contours of the lips. A layer of gloss was added on top, enhancing the reflective quality of the skin and tying the entire look together.

Julia's Message: Embracing Creativity and Collaboration

Julia's journey to the Alternative Hair Show was more than just about showcasing her skills in the Cut & Color category; it was about embracing creativity and the courage to take risks. As she reflected in her Instagram post, "Here’s my message to anyone wanting to have fun, be creative, and do something out of your everyday experience. Want to know the secret? Here it is… JUST DO IT!"Her words capture the essence of what the Alternative Hair Show is all about: being fearless in your artistry, pushing beyond your comfort zone, and allowing your unique vision to take center stage. Julia’s advice to "call a photographer, find a makeup artist, collaborate, and make a team" resonates deeply, especially in events like this, where collaboration is key to turning dreams into reality. It’s about surrounding yourself with creative minds who can bring out the best in each other.

Bringing the Vision to Life: Collaboration at Its Best

Working with Julia on this project was an inspiring experience.The makeup was designed not only to enhance the hairstyle but also to tell a story of transformation, evolution, and the future of beauty.Julia's reflection on the event sums it up perfectly: "There’s a world out there wishing for your art, all you have to do is put it out there." This philosophy was evident in her finalist look, where every element was thoughtfully considered, from the hair color through the exciting patterns on the hair to the futuristic makeup. It was a testament to the power of putting your work out there and allowing your creativity to evolve without fear.

A Call to Be Bold and Creative

Julia’s experience at the Alternative Hair Show 2024 serves as a reminder to all artists: don’t hold back. Be bold, be imaginative, and embrace your unique voice. Whether you're a hairstylist, makeup artist, or any kind of creative, the message is clear—just do it. Put your work out there, because your creativity deserves to be seen.The journey of "Evolution" doesn’t end with the show. It continues with every artist who dares to take risks, who collaborates, and who creates without fear. The future of beauty is constantly evolving, and it’s up to us to shape it.As Julia said, "The draft isn’t supposed to be perfect, it’s supposed to get done." So, go ahead—create, collaborate, and let your artistry evolve. The world is waiting for your vision.

This year's Alternative Hair Show was just the beginning of a new era of creativity. Stay tuned for more looks and collaborations that continue to push the boundaries of what hair and makeup can be. The evolution of beauty is just getting started.