How to Do Black Swan Makeup

In addition to her stellar performance in the psychological thriller Black Swan, Natalie Portman attracted a fair amount of interest in regards to her makeup in the movie. Initially a shy and hesitant ballerina vying for the lead role in a production of Swan Lake, Nina (Portman) seems unable to fit into the character. The lead role requires the ballerina to play both the innocently graceful White Swan (which Nina manages), and the darker, more sensual Black Swan (which she cannot pull off).

However, as the movie progresses, her evil side emerges, and she begins to channel her inner Black Swan. The dramatic twist in the storyline is complemented by a sudden change in Nina’s look, and the beautiful and bewitching Black Swan makeup (done by makeup artist Judy Chin) is a powerful tool used by the filmmakers to depict Nina’s transformation. Dark and sweeping, with a wing-like shape, the design is sensual, alluring, and complex, and has become a popular look.

Things Required:

– Starblend Theatrical cake makeup
– MAC Chromaline in Black Black
– MAC Silver Pigment
– Volumising mascara
– Eyelash extensions (optional)
– MAC Chromaline in red
– MAC Vino lip pencil
– MAC Dubonnet lipstick
– A fluffy blending brush
– Eyeliner brush

Instructions

  • 1

    To recreate Natalie Portman’s Black Swan look, begin by creating a pale, almost chalky base on which to work. Portman’s Black Swan has a deathly white complexion, so start by blending Starblend Theatrical cake makeup evenly into your face and neck, to achieve the desired effect.

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  • 2

    Next, start working on the eyes. This look is characterised by sweeping, fluid lines that run in a rough parallelogram shape, have pointed corners, and give the eyes a winged look using black and silver liner. Dip your ring finger into a pot of MAC Chromaline in Black Black – rub it all over your upper eyelid, all the way up to your eyebrows, and then sweep it upwards towards your temples, to form the wings. Then, smudge a little bit underneath your lower lash line.

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  • 3

    Working fast, use a fluffy blending brush to blend the Chromaline over your lid and into your crease before it sets. Give it a shape, fanning it out over the lid – shape it into a sharp downward point at the inner corner of your eyes, and form it into dramatic pointed wings at the outer corner.

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  • 4

    Now, dip a damp eyeliner brush into the MAC Silver Pigment, and run lines of silver through the black wings you just created. These can be as subtle or as dramatic as you like – however, just make sure the silver streaks are very thin. You can apply more towards the inner corner of the eye, and fade out when you reach the wings.

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  • 5

    Once this is done, clean the brush and dip it into the MAC Chromaline in red. Paint a thin line of this onto your lower lash line, to achieve a subtly sinister look. Then, use a super-volumising mascara on your eyelashes, to give the eyes more definition. If you want, you can also apply fake eyelashes/eyelash extensions, to accentuate the winged look.

    Image courtesy: narscosmetics.com

  • 6

    Contour your face (use any darker pressed powder from your favourite brand), and then start working on the final feature – the lips. Line your lips using MAC Vino lip pencil, and blend this inward – this will create a dark outline for your lips. Then, apply MAC Dubonnet lipstick in the centre of your lips, and blend this outward, so it fades into the darker outline, creating a dark red, almost black, effect. Your Black Swan makeup is now complete.

    Image courtesy: susievereker.blogspot.com

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