INFLUENCER: TASHI JADE BELL

Makeup as a form of Art Therapy

-by Tashi Jade Bell

I was first diagnosed as having depression and anxiety over ten years ago. I was working as lawyer in a big international firm and I was ‘high functioning’. My firm was understanding to a point but operating at a high functioning level wasn’t sustainable for me.

I worked hard and was available 24/7 for my clients for over ten years. A usual work week for me was working from 7am until 2am and then working through the weekend, often in the office. The partners of the firm all witnessed this, but I kept getting more projects piled on me. To them, I was just a “CGU” - a Cash Generating Unit.

I ultimately lost my job after a nervous breakdown at the office. With that, I lost all sense of self. My world collapsed around me. I didn’t know who I was anymore, as I had poured my heart and soul into my job as a lawyer. I made many sacrifices including putting off having children as well, which I bitterly regret. All of my personal sacrifices came to naught.

Now almost after six years of having lost my job as a lawyer, I have what is called ‘treatment resistant depression and anxiety’. I’ve tried over 15 different anti-depressants, had Electroconvulsive Therapy(ECT) and Electromagnetic Therapy (EMT) treatments and stints at private mental health institutions. I also tried cognitive behaviour therapy which didn’t work for me. So, with that, I am in medical retirement. These days, I fill my “good days” with my hobbies which are beauty and fashion-related content creation.

MAKEUP AS A FORM OF ART THERAPY

I now use makeup as a form of art therapy and self-expression. Art was one of the subjects that I took in high school that I excelled in and enjoyed. I loved painting portraits and photography.

I could be painting and doing photography, but makeup as an art form is so much more fun. The different textures and smells do appeal to me. From having painted on large canvases, I get the challenge of working on ‘canvases’ (my models) that are much smaller and all with different skin textures. I am a self-taught makeup artist. I’ve simply transferred my skills as an artist painting on canvases to painting on faces.

I’ve been doing a series of makeup looks called #arttherapy on my Instagram @paint_bytashijadebell. The series allows me to push my creative boundaries and serves as an art form that combines painting/drawing, fashion styling, graphic design and photography.

I find this form of ‘art’ to be therapeutic and it helps me to cope with my mental health issues. To me, it is like the practice of Tibetan monks who create and then destroy intricate mandalas made from coloured sand. It is mediative for me and gives my mind something beautiful to focus on.

When I was first approached to contribute to Retail Beauty, I was asked to do an article on this #arttherapy series. So, I’ve decided to approach this in a ‘who, what, when, where, why’ format.

THE ‘WHO’

My models or ‘canvases’ as I call them, come from all walks of life. Some of them don’t even have an interest in makeup, but are quite happy to sit for me. I love working on different skin types and there are no limits on age, gender and/or race.

@paint_bytashijadebell

I like to make it fun for my canvases, so sometimes, it’s a glass of Moët or feeding them yummy food.

THE ‘WHAT’

I like trying out different techniques in applying makeup. I am also always on the lookout for products that I can use for a look.

I also don’t really use makeup products as they are intended to be used. For example, I often use eyeshadows and clear lip gloss to create a lip colour. I also like creating my own glitter for the eyes and the face.

I love colour, so my looks are often colourful. I like to experiment with different and unusual colour combos. I’m so happy that the HBO hit Euphoria started the free (and colourful) makeup trend. Makeup should be a form of self-expression. I really love experimenting with different textures and my looks often include the use of glitter, edible gold foil and crystal embellishments.

‘The What’ also addresses the question of what products I use. I love beauty products and I’m not a brand snob. I often use both drugstore and high-end makeup. As I love colour, some of my most used items come from Mecca Max, Revolution Makeup, Maybelline, NYX, L’Oréal, Kosas, Pat McGrath, About Face Beauty, Norvina Cosmetics, Natasha Denona, Tarte and KVD Beauty.

Some of my favourite products.

I love About Face Beauty as their values and attitudes towards makeup as a form of self-expression resonate with me. I used their Matte Fluid Eye Paints to create my ‘Dots’ look. That was a time consuming one to do and each dot is applied using a nail art dotting tool. My other most reached for products come from Kosas, as they are makeup with skincare benefits.

I like to use different types of tools to apply makeup. I’ve used nail art dotting tools and spatulas in a few of my looks. I also often use my hands (sanitised of course) to apply makeup. I’m always on the lookout for ‘tools’. A lot of the products I use were gifted to me, but I also spend a significant amount of my own money to purchase products. I like discovering beauty gems and emerging indie brands. I’m also very often in art stores looking for different tools. I’ve used art brushes/sponges to achieve different results.

THE ‘WHEN’

Anytime really. When you are in medical retirement at a relatively young age, you find things to do on better days. I like creating time consuming intricate looks. So, if time permits, I’ll go for a full crystal embellished look. Usually, my ‘canvases’ can only stay for a few hours, so I do try to plan out the looks. I create a list of the products that I want to use as well as planning for the number of looks.

I also do makeup looks on myself, especially if it is a very time consuming one. I spent a whole day creating my #pridemonth look. Each crystal was glued on individually.

This form of art is temporal. There is something calming and oddly satisfying about the removal of makeup that might have taken hours to apply.

THE ‘WHERE’

I draw inspiration from all areas, from music to books and perfumes and fashion. Some of my looks are inspired by fantasy or historical characters - like my ‘Sun and Moon God/dess’ and ‘Viking Queen’ looks. I also take inspiration from nature, as seen in my ‘Koi Pond’ look. Sometimes, the looks are inspired by my model’s personality. As an example, the ‘Forever Young’ look I did was very much inspired by the fun personality of my canvas, Tutti.

THE ‘WHY’

I do it as a form of self-expression and as a form of meditation. A lot of work is involved, from selecting/sourcing what products and props I want to use, to the graphic design element and photo retouching. The behind the scenes work also makes me improve my skills on various new design programs. When I am sticking on tiny crystals on someone’s face, I have to focus. I also worry I might poke someone in the eye/mouth! When I am working with ‘canvases’, it is also therapeutic that I have this person-to-person interaction. My depression and anxiety has made me a bit of recluse, so this personal interaction is valuable to me.