Effort

The winner of each category will demonstrate the diversity of their skill, technique, and imagination by creating a detailed and captivating look. Although the makeup is fundamental to the contest, the more visually stunning the look is, through tasteful use of the hair, costume styling, and accessories, the more points will be awarded in judging.

Skill/Technique

Higher points will be awarded to students who demonstrate the use of polished makeup skills, detailed application, symmetry (when it is supposed to be symmetrical), and a diverse use of techniques.

Photo Quality

A good quality image is essential. The photograph should be clean and crisp. Higher points will go to images that look like they could be on the site of an influencer, or in a professional portfolio. Avoid images that are blurry, messy, or have cluttered or thoughtless backgrounds (e.g. messy bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.). This doesn’t mean that you need an expensive set up, it just means you need to clean the oils off your camera lens, or to borrow a better phone or camera. Incredibly gentle retouching is acceptable, although your makeup should be doing the perfecting on its own. Blurred skin, visible or over-retouching, filters, and ring lights, will result in a loss of points because they blow out, smooth, and perfect the makeup and image, making everything appear far better and more beautiful than it is in real life. Any images that are not a realistic version of the artist’s actual work will be disqualified.

Fun/Originality

I expect to see joy, wonder, beauty, and horror! Have fun every step of the way!

Story

A few sentences about your character, and the story behind him/her, can do a lot to sell your image. Don’t fall into the trap of telling what you did with the makeup, instead tell the story of who this person is. For example, this mermaid is one believed lost to legend. Her family was hunted to near extinction and the few that survived sought safety in the deepest trenches of the sea and have lived below the surface for centuries. Once friendly and beautiful, they have evolved into gorgeous but terrifying monsters. You get the idea…the stronger your story and concept, the more precise and clear your application will be.

Final note

Mermaids are one of the most popular forms of fantasy makeup in the internet stratosphere. Try to delve into your own imagination, and not the images and how-to’s of others for inspiration. Copying someone else’s how-to or slightly modifying the same make up that has been done a thousand times before, will not show your creativity, skill, or imagination. Anyone can copy a makeup look, but it takes a true artist to actually create something original that others will eventually want to copy. Challenge yourself to make something brand new. In doing so, you’ll truly awaken your inner artist.

I would advise against the typical and overdone techniques usually associated with mermaid makeup application– fishnet stocking scales, the abundant use of glitter, crystals, and shells—unless you are using them in original, unique, or reinvented ways.

True creativity is difficult, that is why there are so many trend copiers instead of trend creators. I challenge you to be a creator. I cannot wait to see what comes out of the most beautiful, or darkest, reaches of your imagination. Good luck!