Revenge never looked so good
In 1994, a photo of Princess Diana in a little black dress became one of the most powerful fashion moments the world has ever seen. All focus was on the people’s Princess who stepped out for a gala at Serpentine Gallery wearing an off-the-shoulder cocktail sheath by Christina Stambolian. Many fans noticed that it was a daring choice for someone who is a fan of cheerful prints. But then again, this story is not just an ordinary style report. In fact, it was her silent response to Prince Charles’ tell-all interview that was aired the same night. It created a legacy. More of it, the concept of revenge dress was born.
RELATED: “Siren Beauty” is the Seductive Beauty Aesthetic You Need to Know
Other iconic entrants in the revenge dress category include Mariah Carey’s sultry ensemble at the 1997 MTV Music Video Awards after her split with ex-husband Tommy Mottola. And of course, who could forget Bella Hadid’s iconic Met Gala moment? In 2017, The supermodel donned a daring sheer catsuit by Alexander Wang at the same event Selena Gomez and The Weeknd made their very first appearance as a couple.
However, the concept of the revenge dress is not limited to the fashion sphere. In pop culture, post-breakup hair transformations are acknowledged as their best beauty alternative. Take Taylor Swift as an example. In 2016, the artist debuted her shag hairstyle after her split with Tom Hiddleston. At the other end of the spectrum is our own Kris Aquino who fronted the headlines in 2014 with her revenge pixie cut. In a post, she wrote, ”I cut off more than a foot, so I’m super ready for my life to change!”
Meanwhile, beautytok has found a way to translate the revenge look into makeup. Its eponymous thread garnered 14.3 million views with fans showcasing their own adaptation of the aesthetic. And while it’s easy to oversimplify the trend, it’s undeniable that revenge beauty is a reflection of power and confidence.
A look into revenge beauty
“Draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man,” Taylor Swift’s lyrics from “Vigilante Shit” perfectly describe what the aesthetic looks like. However, it’s nothing dangerous. Revenge beauty is bold and unapologetic. It encapsulates the look of reclaiming one’s power and strength. More than the play on makeup, it is both a character and an energy—personal and surprisingly therapeutic.
The genre offers different directions to play with. But the popular iteration is similar to the dark feminine aesthetic. A siren gaze is synonymous to the beauty format with smokey eyeshadows to dress the lids and a sharp liner to define. Of course, a swipe of a powerful lip shade is essential to complete the look. The overall appeal? Sultry, sexy, and empowering.
Revenge makeup
@angelbaranes Revenge #makeup ♬ original sound – Raye
In beautytok, content creators like Angel Baranes presented an interpretation of revenge makeup. A delve into her video unveils an easy routine to accomplish the look. In her video that has around 408.8 thousand views, Angel groomed her eyebrows with a brow mascara and a brush. Once set, she enhanced her complexion with a primer and foundation. Angel proceeded with concealing her key points and contouring her cheeks. Shortly after, she swished a bronzer and baking powder to create dimensions to her face, then continued with a cream blush. Angel kept the eye look minimal with a volumizing mascara to define her lashes. Lastly, she completed the look with a swipe of a punchy red lipstick.
@sarahnewsfx Dumb decision #makeup #beauty ♬ Escapism. – RAYE & 070 Shake
Meanwhile, content creators like Sarah New added a spicy twist to revenge makeup. In her tutorial with about 278.5 thousand views, she played around with a smokey eyeshadow palette to create a siren-like gaze. It’s the perfect format for anyone who wants a more powerful eye look. To balance it out, Sarah pared down her lip color with a pinkish nude shade and a swipe of gloss.
Our point of view
There will always be the fantasy to be seen in a post-breakup transformation. But who can blame us? It’s a satisfying thought. However, that is not what revenge beauty is about. The aesthetic is a therapeutic process to divert a fan’s attention back to themselves through beauty and fashion. It’s a healthy way to reclaim one’s strength and individuality. Revenge beauty is a form of self-discovery after the pain. To say the least, it creates a new mindset to explore makeup without the desire to please any past lovers—it’s beauty in your own terms.
