Rad Replicants — Cyborg-Inspired Makeup At Opening Ceremony Fall 2016

As a tribute to neofuturistic concept artist Syd Mead, the genius behind the aesthetic feel of the dystopian universes in such iconic science-fiction films as Blade Runner and Alien, makeup artist Yadim decided to explore the blurry line between cyborgs and humans via the look he created for the Opening Ceremony Fall 2016 show. To accomplish this feat, the Maybelline New York key artist used holographic glitter, placing it strategically along certain areas of models’ otherwise clean faces for an effect reminiscent of Star Trek: Voyager‘s Seven of 9. The silver glitter, then, was meant to resemble the cold metallic surface of a robot peeking through the skin used as a camouflage, allowing cyborgs and artificial life forms to infiltrate the human race.

To keep the skin looking very natural rather than overloading it with beauty powders, bronzers, and blush, Yadim relied on a thin veil of the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Dewy + Smooth Foundation, applying it to models’ faces using a makeup brush.  He added definition to the face without relying on too much sculpting and contouring, instead choosing to highlight the key points of the face (cheekbones, cupid’s bow, ride of nose and inner corners of eyes) with the Master Strobe Illuminating Face Stick (launching in June 2016).

Next, to give the lids a neutral wash of color, Yadim applied the Maybelline New York Brow Drama Pomade Crayon in Blonde so as to create a sense of warmth without relying on noticeable color. He finished defining the eyes by curling lashes but leaving them free of mascara.

Lips, meanwhile, were simply moisturized with the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm in Quenched. No lipstick or gloss was added.

The clean and near-bare look was then rocketed into the future (and into deep space) through the clever use of silver holographic glitter, which Yadim applied to unexpected areas of the face, working the sparkly powder down the side of the nose and swooping it under the eyebrow, all along the brow bone; sweeping it along one temple, creating a “C” shape that seemed to hug one eye; using it to accentuate the jaw line; or even highlighting the perimeter of the ear.