Lovecraft Country Halloween Look- Believe in your craft
Every year for Halloween as a makeup artist and creator I am always filled with so many different ideas and concepts. I love watching other creatives really dive into their craft and create something so beautiful. Last year due to me recovering from thyroid surgery, I wasn’t able to participate in any Halloween activities, I did manage to do an orange eyeshadow look and for me at the time that was progress. This year, now we have covid, great another year I can’t do anything I thought. But the same way I used this home bound life to bring about my idea for my color series, I decided to still push through and create some Halloween content.
One of my favorite shows right now has been Lovecraft Country on HBO. While I was hesitant to watch this show at first I am so glad I decided to give it a chance. Normally I’m not really into shows that take place during the height of what I call “the Jim Crow law days” but let’s be honest..those days haven’t left, but I digress. Don’t let me get on my soap box. Anyway, this show definitely has more than that, it’s filled with witches, spells, monsters, spirits, honestly the perfect “ Halloween type” show. From the first episode I was hooked!
So here is where my inspiration comes, the moment the character Leticia Lewis came on the screen I was captivated by her presence in this role. Aside from the fact that the actress that plays her, Jurnee Smollet is such an amazing actress, I had never seen her play a role like this. She’s a woman with a story, a past as we all have but, she’s also fearless and strong. Somehow I felt like I resonated with her so well, especially the way she carried herself with such form of class and luxury in the midst of chaos. The iconic look that I attempted to duplicate was from the first episode of the show. Here you see Leti Lewis otherwise known as “ Leticia F****** Lewis, ready to go on an adventure with the other characters. She pulls up fully dolled up as she touches up her red lipstick, fixes her curls and totes around her clutch purse. Yup, sounds like me!
One of my goals for my Halloween looks this year was really trying to use my natural hair as is to still show the character. I’m not well versed in wearing weaves or wigs and I wanted to avoid too much heat to my natural hair. I knew these restrictions would come with challenges but hey, it makes the experience unique! I asked a fellow creative, who I will tag below, for his assistance in making my vision come to life. For the actual creation of the look. I went to the trusty thrift store and managed to find all the gems needed for my look. Everything was coming together perfect, except my hair that I spent roughly three hours, started to revert to its natural state as soon as the Miami humidity hit it. I was discouraged and hesitant about posting it because it wasn’t as perfect as I want it. Nonetheless, this was my art and I needed to believe in it no matter what anyone else said. I posted the look on my Instagram feed of course tagging the appropriate creators and last minute decided to also feature my look on Twitter.
Here is where the fun happens…. I went to bed and when I woke up I couldn’t believe the notification that came through on my phone. Jurnee Smollet, reposted my look. If you’re well versed in the Internet world you’ll know that these celebrities probably get thousands of tags, they probably see thousands of messages. Not only did my little look fall onto her eyes but she loved it. I can’t really describe how it felt to have something that I doubted be embraced by the actress herself. I felt as though, I need to trust my art, trust what I create and keep pushing no matter what! That’s the message I leave to anyone out there doubting themselves, no matter what it is, keep pushing, keep believing! Don’t get caught up in wanting perfection, everything happens how it’s supposed to happen.
Photographer @akiogamma on Instagram
