Randistic Art - Makeup to Raise Awareness
We are moved by a young artist who is making change through makeup. Rand Jarallah is an advocate for women and children. She creates powerful imagery through makeup to spread awareness of human rights issues. Serving in the United Nations Population Fund, Rand worked on a series of campaigns and videos, titled Reversing the Trend and #7DaysofMakeup. Her work on the series was featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Marie Claire, and more recently in Vogue Arabia and Elle France. Growing up in occupied Palestine, access to quality makeup and tools was limited, but that didn’t stop Rand from experimenting. Believing makeup is art, she credits her talents to the tutorial videos of Michelle Phan and Pat McGrath. She went on to create her own human rights platform called Randistic. It is a series of photos, tutorials, and videos inspired by a Fight Club Halloween tutorial. She mimicked the video by painting bruises all over her face. The photo and message went viral, so she decided to keep doing similar projects with looks that explore pressing global crises. When we learned Rand uses Mehron to create some of her avant garde looks, we just had to learn more about this fascinating artist.
Mehron: Your Reversing the Trend video is so powerful. What inspired you to create it?
Rand: It is my responsibility not only as an activist but also as a woman who grew up in conflict to raise awareness about human rights, this video specifically tackles the issue of violence against women. The fact that 1 in 3 women have experienced some type of violence in their lifetime drove me to create a video to shed light on this issue. Gender and gender based violence are very important topics for me which is why I have produced multiple looks* regarding these issues. I hope to be able to provide a safe space, a community, for people to use their art for activism
Mehron: We believe your messages are making a difference. Why did you become an activist? Is there a particular event that created a spark?
Rand: I’ve been an activist and an advocate for women’s rights from the minute I learned how to write. I remember as a young child in preschool just starting to learn how to write, I came face to face with gender disparity. In my country (like many other countries in the region and beyond), we take our last name from our fathers; it’s the custom and it’s how it’s always been. But even preschool me couldn’t accept that. I used to write my name in two ways: one day, I would write it with my mother’s last name and the next, with my father’s last name. I was but a small child, but my teacher was curious to know why I would write my name differently every other day. To my childhood self, the answer seemed clear, and I answered as such: “I am the daughter of both my parents.”
Mehron: What is/was your role in the United Nations Population Fund?
Rand: I am currently completing a fellowship at the United Nations Population Fund in New York called “Young Innovators Fellowship Programme”. My role is to innovate within the UN and disrupt the system by introducing creative ideas.
Mehron: Randistic is very thought provoking. Was there anything in particular that inspired you to start that platform?
Rand: Randistic is an artistic platform on social media where I use makeup and my face as a canvas to tell stories and express myself. Most of the time, makeup is perceived as a disempowering machine because it is marketed to be used as a way to conform to
the beauty standards that society has created and to cover up our so-called insecurities. Makeup does not contradict feminism; the materials, the products and ingredients are neither feminist nor sexist. It is the social context surrounding makeup, from the social pressure to the gendering and branding that is sexist. Today I want to challenge this idea, not only by telling people but also by showing them what I can achieve by using makeup. Makeup can be used as a form of art to empower people, because, you know what, art is unlimited — and so is our creativity.
Mehron: How do you come up with ideas for your looks? Does anyone or anything in specific inspire you?
Rand: As a Palestinian, I grew up in a conflict country and all my life I’ve experienced nothing but that. My way of coping with reality is through art - whether it be painting, drawing or makeup. My art is an extension of my heart and soul, it’s always fueled by strong emotions.
Mehron: We see that Pat McGrath kickstarted your talent. She is such an industry icon. Are there any other artists who inspire you?
Rand: I am constantly inspired by different artists who are passionate about what they do, regardless of what tool they use to create art. I am amazed by the work of Archan Nair, Paper Fashion, Amazing Jiro, Mimi Choi and Alex Faction.
Mehron: What Mehron products do you typically use in your looks?
Rand: I use Mehron products a lot in my looks. Last year I collaborated with UNFPA on a campaign called #7DaysOfMakeup where I used makeup as a tool for activism to raise awareness for the health and rights of the estimated 26 million women and girls who are disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises. It led up to the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September last year. In these makeup looks I used a lot of Mehron Liquid Latex, Mehron Paradise AQ Palette in the mattes and metallics. I just collaborated with United Nations Population Fund again this Valentine's Day on a huge campaign to raise awareness on the issue of Child Marriage. I used Mehron’s Paradise AQ Palette in most of the looks.
Mehron: What is it that you like about Mehron products? Do you have a favorite
Rand: I love the product’s diversity, I can create so many creative looks with a single product without feeling limited. It’s hard to choose a favorite product, but if I had to choose, I would choose the metallic powders. I own every single color and I use them in so many different ways. I used them to create a metallic eyeliner (https://goo.gl/Yk4zev) to draw an “iron shield” on my skin underneath the latex (https://goo.gl/17cDdH) and I still use them to create different looks whether it be beauty makeup, avant garde or special effects.
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And all the things that I have not said will eventually find an escape. |
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And I wonder, What makes you think that you can tame the waves? My soul is like the uncontrollable tides of the ocean; it engulfs everything in sight. |
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