What I Want to Represent

In my beauty magazine, I plan to represent the concept of makeup. Many times makeup is seen as something solely used to cover up imperfections, however, makeup can be used as a creative outlet, just like drawing or painting. Makeup is just as much of art as sculpting, painting, or drawing, but many fail to recognize this. Without makeup, we would not have all of those flawless and beautiful celebrities we see on television, magazines, or movies. For example, most horror movies use special effects makeup that basically makes the whole movie; imagine the movie "Nightmare on Elm Street" without Freddy Krueger. Makeup not only plays a huge part in movies but its also essential for magazines. All the beautiful celebrities that you see on magazine covers aren't all that perfect; take off the makeup and remove the editing, and they are just like us. Makeup helps enhance the beauty we have and I believe that without makeup, we would all be living in a dull world. Makeup's main purpose is to help enhance the beauty we all have and make us feel good about ourselves. Makeup isn't used to just cover up imperfections, it's used to enhance our natural features and encapsulate our definitions of beauty.  Likewise, for the everyday woman makeup can be used to make her feel good about herself, but for an artist, it can be used to express creativity and experiment with different techniques, colors, and textures. Furthermore, makeup is not only used as an enhancer but it could also be used creatively, such as for special effects.

Currently, I am very unhappy with how makeup and makeup artists themselves are represented in today's society. Makeup is seen as an add-on item and makeup artists are either misrepresented or under-represented. Makeup is seen as something insignificant, however, the beauty industry is growing by billions every year, so those that believe makeup is unimportant, will be very confused when they here that "In 2013, the industry added nearly $237 billion to the US gross domestic product (GDP), and supported 3.6 million domestic jobs that earned $144 billion in wages and incomes through its direct, indirect and induced contributions." I wouldn't say makeup is uninfluential. Makeup not only influences our nation but influences all the people that wear makeup or use beauty products. I don't think that the makeup representation is fair, nor do I believe it is correct. People must educate themselves on the importance of makeup, not only for individuals but also how beauty affects the community.

When creating my magazine, there are a few representation characteristics I would like to retain, while there are others I would like to challenge. For example, I would love to challenge the belief that makeup is only used to cover imperfections; I would love to show how makeup can be used artistically and creatively. I want to show bold and creatively makeup looks and I want my magazine to show that makeup creates just as beautiful art as the traditional mediums. Additionally, I would love to keep the representation that makeup makes users feel happy and confident about themselves. I believe that is essential to include the fact that makeup enhances the wonderful, unique, and one of a kind features we all have.

Fashion Magazine Characteristics

1. Genre: Fashion and Style Magazine (teen style)

2. Genre Conventions (Content):

- relevant to a young teen's life and issues she may encounter at her age, and talking about these issues.

- Used as an escape for many teens, so interesting topics such as reports on new style trends, self-help articles, beauty and boy tips, and relevant real-life stories are shared.

-Also focused on entertainment such as relevant celebrities, music, TV, gossip, celebrity quizzes, and sometimes posters.

3. Genre Conventions (Production Techniques):
-Attention-grabbing covers since magazine are not really relevant for teens as much as they used to be.

- Covers could include one person or many people.

- Cover lines need to be appropriate with current things happening in pop culture.

- Cover lines need to be fresh, including new trends or styles or celebrity gossip.

- Cover lines should be exclusive to the magazine, such as an exclusive interview with a celebrity.

- The actual cover photograph should include a friendly looking girl or a handsome looking boy, have eyepopping and colorful images

- Cover usually have eye-popping lines offering something for free, such as a poster or free sample.

- On the inside of the magazine, there are bright article titles and many colorful pictures. Almost every page will have some sort of image or cartoon.

- Relevant advertisements will be featured, showing popular makeup or hair product and in-style clothing brands and items.

- Bright colors and eye-catching fonts are used.



This magazine embodies my genre because it includes a very popular and relevant celebrity and there is an "exclusive" interview inside that makes teens want to buy the magazine. This magazine uses various fonts in black and bright red and in different sizes to look eye-catching. The cover lines include beauty and fashion advice, information on a popular male and female celebrity, and features articles on music and well-known musicians.



This magazine embodies my genre because it includes a pretty and friendly popular celebrity in a colorful in-style outfit. The magazine has many cover lines stating school advice, real-life stories, how to win free items, and fashion advice, all of which are essential to a teen magazine. Attractive fonts in bright colors are used to grab a teen's attention.