Queer Makeup Artists Coco & Shantanu On Using Makeup As A Powerful Tool Of Self-Expression
For some, makeup merely means slapping on a few products before heading out the door. For others, it’s an entirely different story. When used right, makeup can be a powerful tool of self-expression—and queer makeup artists, Shantanu Dhope and Coco Ballucci, completely agree with this.
In an exclusive interview with iDiva, these creative forces tell us how makeup serves as a platform to show the world their creativity, express themselves, and a lot more.
On using makeup as a form of self-expression
One scroll through Shantanu’s Instagram feed will reveal he is an ardent lover of colours. For him, makeup is an art form. “I have always found using colours interesting and I love that I can show my art through colours on my face,” he said.
From sharp cut creases to bejewelled looks, this makeup artist is all about creating fun and vibrant looks. “I use makeup to display my artistic skills to the world. Also the type of makeup I do is impacted by the clothes, jewellery or my mood that day. A lot of things inspire my makeup looks, like fashion, trends or other artists on Instagram,” he shared.
At the same time, Coco also fully understands the power of makeup as she revealed that “makeup is god for me.” She also shared that she uses it as a self-confidence booster. “Makeup is very helpful for elevating your confidence level because it is actually gonna give you confidence. So, for me, I use makeup like it’s just part of my life. If I want to present/represent myself in front of somebody, I always take help from makeup, because it has that power,” said Coco.
From pairing blue sparkly eyeshadows with red lips to sporting silver holographic eyes, Coco doesn’t shy away from going all out with makeup.
On first experience with makeup
Coco instantly felt happy and confident after wearing makeup for the first time. But societal criticisms made her question whether she should go out like this or not. “When I first used makeup, I felt so good but I was like, ‘Should I go out with it or not?’ Because it’s makeup. Anyhow, it's gonna be visible. Sabko dikh jayega ye (everyone will be able to see it) that I’m doing makeup. But after wearing it, I was really feeling happy,” Coco shared.
She has come a long way since. Apart from being a beauty influencer, Coco is a celebrity makeup artist and has even modelled for well-known publications like Vogue India.
On the other hand, Shantanu has been wearing makeup since he was 16 years old. He shared with us, “I used to wear a bit of concealer ever since I was 16, but I really started to get into it when I was 19 and I did my first ever smokey eye. I remember feeling intimidated and intrigued by it because it was a very new world for me.”
Over the years, he has received accolades for proving his mettle time and again. To name a few, he was on the digital cover of the leading fashion magazine, Cosmopolitan, and was also a part of a beauty campaign by Maybelline.
On facing societal judgements
Social media can be a toxic place, especially for a queer artist who loves makeup. It’s easier to leave a baseless hate comment on somebody’s creative work than saying it personally. This is probably why Shantanu has faced a lot of criticism online.
He said, “I have never had anyone confront me about wearing makeup, but I do get the occasional stare. I think the most amount of criticism/hate I have received is online. A lot of people are threatened by a guy wearing makeup. I have reached a point in my life where I do not let it bother me anymore. I’m actually glad that I can start a conversation.”
Things haven’t been different for Coco, too! “For me, being a non-binary person and staying in a society and doing makeup and roaming around in it are actaully very tough. Since people are not used to seeing makeup on men, they stare at me for long and long,” she disclosed.
But like Shantanu, Coco has also learned to not care about what people think. “Nowadays, I'm getting used to it. I’ve become very habituated to people criticising me, so it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, after everything, I’m again doing my makeup, so I’m very cool about it now. And I manage them very easily. I just ignore them. That’s it,” she shared.
On unlearning the concept of ‘men can’t wear makeup’ & following their heart’s desire
Dismantling society’s definition of makeup being only for women, Shantanu stresses on taking small steps for any man who doesn't wear makeup for the fear of being judged. “Makeup has always been gender neutral. It is we as society who have labelled makeup to be more “feminine”. I think we just need to unlearn these concepts that have been taught to us while growing up and express ourselves, by taking tiny steps in that direction. Even if it is as simple as trying out that one concealer that you have always wanted to,” he advised.
Coco also shared some thought-provoking advice. She said even if people show irritation and have problems with you wearing makeup, don’t let it affect you because, “At the end of the day, at night, you’re lying with your body, right? You’re the only person with whom you have to work. So, I think be strong and go ahead, and just fulfil your heart’s desire, whether it is to want to wear saree, do makeup, or whatever. Whatever gives you happiness, you should do it.”
Social and lead image credit: Instagram/shantanudhope and Instagram/cocoballucci_
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