Voir sat down with May Tahmina and discussed everything from her make-up creativity to her strive and persistence in breaking through the beauty industry as a woman of colour.

How did you get into becoming a makeup influencer?

Growing up, my mum never let me touch make-up. She’s an Asian mum, so very traditional. You’re not allowed to wear foundation so all I did was eyeliner, and I was just always good at eyeliner because that’s all I did. Then, after having done Biology for three years at uni, I was in my master’s year, and I hated it. It wasn’t exciting to me, so I dropped out and I had like eight months of free time.

I came across the editorial makeup community on Instagram, and it excited me! I just started painting on my face one day and I was like, I feel like I’m good at this! It was the first time I had felt passionate about something, so I kept on doing it and posting it.

A big thing for me was building a community and building relationships with people. But, my intentions were never to become an influencer, I just sort of fell into it because I’m passionate about what I do and my art. I’m passionate about striving for change as well,  I think that’s where I had grown my followers from.

You mentioned community, which is so key when you’re building a profile online. How would you describe the community that follows you?

They’re really appreciative and social – they show so much support. We all want the same thing, which is to be seen, we want everyone to be seen. In the editorial makeup community, were not afraid of speaking up because it’s for the greater good. We all care for each other, and we all want to progress. Within this community, it’s not just about makeup, it’s about inclusion, diversity, and change. It’s about holding everyone accountable and making sure that we’re doing better.

Of course, it’s also about makeup and our looks, but it stands for something more.

There are so many beauty influencers now, yet you stand out so much. How do you stay creative and innovative with your looks?

I think it’s hard sometimes because if your mind’s not in it, then you’re not going to create looks. You can sit for the whole day working and trying to put something on your face, but it just won’t come out. I think for me, I’ll see a lot of inspiration in other people and in colours, so I’m always working. If I see a pattern I’ll be thinking, “oh my god, that would look amazing on my face.” So, I try and take inspiration from everything. I won’t just create loads of looks that I’m not happy with, instead I’ll do like three looks in a day and it will be stuff I’ve actually thought about. If it makes me happy, then it’s worth it.

Did your rise in the social media world come about quickly and if so, how did you deal with that?

M: I’ve been doing it for 5 years now. But January last year, was when my Tik Tok blew up and went from 0 to like 500k, which was insane. And then my Instagram shot up as well! Instagram is harder to grow, but it has been easier to sustain because TikTok is very trend based.

At times, I know I need to tap into some trends but it’s not true for me, it’s not how I work. I love doing what’s in my head at that moment. But yeah, I have grown on both since last year and it has gone up and down a lot.

I have noticed my peers who are white have a much quicker growth than what I see for myself. I can also see that my growth is a lot quicker than for a lot of dark skin, black creators. So, it is frustrating, because I know that it’s still not a level playing field in terms of growth. But I’m happy with where I’m at and this is my full-time job now.

It’s very difficult, isn’t it? I think what’s great now is, more so than ever, people are talking about it.

Even when I first started, I was never seen. Brands weren’t having it. As someone of colour, and I know it is even harder for black creators, we have to do so much more to get the followers we have. Brands should be more understanding of that and I think they have started getting more understanding, slowly. I’m seeing a lot more creators who are getting PR and paid jobs with a low amount of following, which is great to see. But at the start, you’re lucky to get a lipstick for free!

Who have been your beauty icons that you look up to in the industry?

I would say Wendy’s World is a big one for me, we’re really close now. She is one of my best friends, but before, she was someone that I admired. She was always very vocal, and for someone who is a dark-skin creator to speak up as much as she did, even though she knew she had everything against her because of the world and industry we’re in, she still wasn’t afraid to speak up. Jackie Aina also! I love what she does. I think she’s great, she’s amazing.

I started this for my art, so all of the big people in glam and their journey’s don’t inspire me. However, I understand how amazing these people  are! Like NikkieTutorials is amazing, she has been put up against a lot of things. NikkieTutorials did a look inspired by me the other day and I was so gassed! But, I never grew up watching these people because that was never my journey. The only thing that genuinely inspires me are people who do art and editorial makeup.

You mention editorial beauty. Who inspires you in terms of those looks?

Pat McGrath’s editorial runway looks are amazing and everything she stands for. I’d say she is definitely someone from the get-go that I was hoping one day I would get recognised by or even by her beauty brand.

Do you have a dream collaboration?

Definitely Pat McGrath or Fenty. A Pat McGrath event would be my absolute dream. Dannesa Myricks is another one. A lot of beauty brands are scared of colour, whereas Dannesa has got some amazing colour paint.

I’d love to work with skincare brands because I’m really into that, doing my makeup on really bare or minimal skin. Brands like Kate Somerville and Paula’s Choice, they’ve really helped my skin, I think editorials are quite good for people just accepting the skin they’ve got.

What are your absolute favourite makeup products?

With Pat, her eyeshadows are just undefeated. Fenty, their gloss and their blush, that’s literally the only blush I use. And then Milk Makeup I’d love to collaborate with, I use a lot of their products. Their foundations, under eye concealer, blush, bronzer, those products are incredible. Obviously, my main product I use is Glisten Cosmetics, I’ve got her brushes, I’ve got pretty much every colour she stocks! I can’t recommend her enough because she works with so many creators and she’s really authentic. Her products are amazing and she’s someone who really cares about their brand and community.

£ 21

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Blush

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£ 17

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

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£ 115

Pat McGrath Labs Mothership VIII Divine Rose II Limited-Edition Eyeshadow Palette

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£ 35

Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation

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£ 6

Glisten Cosmetics Liner Brush 8

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A lot of influencers go on to create their own lines, is that something that interests you? What does the future hold for you?

M: I think definitely at some point I will probably release some type of makeup. It’s not in the forefront of my mind. I’d love to be able to advise brands in terms of diversity. And I think making this industry a bit more open, because it’s not open enough, people are under- charging, they are underselling themselves. There is a lot of disparity in terms of pay between white people and people of colour. I’d love to be someone who changes this.

Right now, I’m concentrating on my makeup, and I am doing things behind the scenes to help with diversity. But I’m just trying to get myself out there, because I’m not as big as I want to be. I want to make this community as accepting to people in the future as it was to me.

Words by Lucy Rosenberg

_{Header Image: @maytahmi}

The post In conversation with May Tahmina; Editorial Beauty Artist and Queen of Killer Liner. appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Want to stand out on the most eerie night of the year? Then be inspired by our darker offerings of beauty that will spook even the most avid horror enthusiast when the lights dim low on Halloween. Fall in love with these handpicked beauty looks that are artistic, chic and creative to shape-shift you into a captivating air of mystery come October 31st.

The Bloodshot Eye look is clearly a fan-favourite right now, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted. Instagram MUA @itstasha named her take on the look ‘Glossy or Bloody?’ and it’s perfect for this season’s rule breakers and risk takers. Tasha crafted this eerie look (right) using Red Glassgloss from Krygina Cosmetics and eyeshadow from Makeup Revolution.

To recreate, pack bright red pigment on your lid and lower lash line. Add eye gloss like MAC’s Studio Eye Gloss with a brush and complete with red contact lenses to take it to another realm.

Artisanal MUA Danessa Myricks has also created her own bewitching rendition of the red glossy eye (middle) by using a decadent red shadow on the lids, pitted against muted colours on the rest of the face.

Those of you wanting to take the ultimate trip to the dark side, give these monochromatic eyes a try. Vera Wang and Moschino showcased some of the most ominous looks of the season on the SS20 catwalk, and they’re inviting you to the ritual.

Moschino’s Resort (left & right) collection was Halloween-themed and went full-out to create the ultimate gothic-romance vibe. Vera Wang (middle) epitomised darkness with an edge, where each model enchanted with shadowy eyes, generating a ghoulish look that is both minimalist and harrowing. Those of you wanting to take the ultimate trip to the dark side, Moschino and Vera Wang are inviting you to the ritual.

Looking for something bolder – we’ve got you covered. Try these glossy black eyes to channel your inner demon. Combine black eyeshadow with eye gloss and glitter to create a decadently textured look that is far from average and reminiscent of the kind of ghostly eyes found on an Edvard Munch painting.

Finally if more attitude is something you crave, try these Freaky Lip Looks. Use bright red lipliner to overline your lips and fill with a voluptuous red. Follow with a high-shine gloss and dripping fake blood to channel your inner glampire. Galaxy lips is another amplified take on fright night offerings – cover your lips in white, add gloss and blue eye pigment and finally, adorn with multi-coloured glitter specs to make your Halloween masterpiece more sinister and enchanting than any other.

Words By Hena Sharma

Graphics by Katie Janes

The post Halloween to Hallo-Qween: Killer Looks To Enchant appeared first on Voir Fashion.