Ear makeup: Proof, once again, that creativity knows no bounds. Quite simply, it’s adorning your lobes and outer-ear with makeup, glitter and various stick-ons. But this isn’t a new-for-’21 thing. Mehndi (known to many as henna) has been used on ears for thousands of years; the club kids of the ‘90s were doing it; and it made a splash on major fashion runways in 2014, ’15 and ’16 thanks to makeup greats like Tom Pecheux and Pat McGrath. So why is it making a splash across social media in 2021? “Ear makeup has the same appeal as to all makeup: It can be both an adornment and a method of expression,” says makeup artist Donald Simrock. “It is, however, the road less traveled, which makes it fresh and new.”
So, who can wear this look? Is it for the Euphoria generation? “Ear makeup is for anyone who’s willing to dabble, and it has no age limit,” says Simrock, who’s worked with Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Britney Spears. Adds makeup pro Shane Paish, “There are never age limits on anything — what’s the fun in that!?”
Where can you wear it? “It can be done for almost any occasion,” says Simrock. For formal occasions, he suggests stick-on pearls, “a thick glitter could prove fun for a club outing,” and “a clever henna design that can last up to two weeks, for poolside outings during the summer.” If you’re working from home, it’s the ideal time to try the trend and see if anyone notices on Zoom.
What products do you use? Paish, known for his work with Charlize Theron, Olivia Munn and Michelle Monaghan, recommends gel liners or liquid lip liner pens for drawing on designs or simple geometric lines. To start, Paish says, “Try simple things that stay on longer and won’t crack.” He suggests “subtle lines around the ear in metallic highlight colors like gold, silver or bronze — this is like extending your jewelry with your personal art.” Try Haus of Gaga Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil Eyeliners: “They stay put and have great metallic shades.” Gel liners are also a great way to make floral designs and other intricate details.
When using adhesives like rhinestones, Simrock advises to “Choose your products wisely. Spend time to find the safest and best adhesives.” He adds a word of caution about glitter: “Make sure your placement is safe from falling inside the ear!” To block any stray glitter, try a cotton ball gently placed in the ear — NOT inside the ear canal, as this could cause serious damage. Always keep the products on the lobe and upper-ear area so nothing will fall into the canal. And again, “Make sure to protect the inner-ear when removing the makeup,” says Simrock.
Paish recommends an oil-based makeup remover. Apply it to a cotton ball or cloth to remove the makeup.
How do you apply ear makeup? “Practice,” says Paish. Experiment with different colors, tools and placements to see what works for you. If you want a symmetrical look, Simrock says to do one small bit on one ear, then “move directly to the opposite side to mimic it until you build the desired look.” Going back and forth between ears ensures more accuracy than doing one entire ear and then moving to the second.
Where can you find more ideas? #earmakeup on social media, of course. Also, “Look to art catalogs and Pinterest for inspiration,” says Simrock. He also suggests “thinking outside the box — consider fun items on manicurist websites,” for instance. After all, ear art is the new nail art.
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