I don’t find I get a lot of inspiration from brands really. The only one that came to mind was OCC, mostly because I know the creator/founder has an inspiring work ethic and dedication to his brand, and THAT is inspiring on a personal level!
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I would have to say that Urban Decay, Nyx and MAC (when then get it “right”!) all inspire me to step outside the box of what is considered “appropriate” or “normal” for a person of a certain age! Interesting that I’ve been slowly, but surely getting back to my creative roots. These brands keep pushing the boundaries. And I am loving it!
I think ColourPop is extremely inspiring. A little indie company comes out of nowhere, and takes the makeup world by storm with superior formulas, unique colors, and budget friendly prices. And they seem to only get better and better, knocking almost every collection out of the ballpark. They run circles around bigger, more established brands that have been around for decades.
So true! You know that you’re doing something right when MAC, a household name, reduces the price of their eye shadows. These mid-range and high end brands better watch out!
Amen!
I’m inspired by brands that don’t necessarily follow trends but choose a unique artistic approach to makeup. Illamasqua, NYC-based Make beauty for example.
Urban Decay for sure. Innovative products, exciting collaborations and great packaging. They really nailed the “Naked” theme across so many products.
I cannot say one brand inspires me. Makeup in general inspires and there is good makeup from a lot of brands of varying price points. As of late, MAC and Kat Von D inspire me the most!
Urban Decay pushes me to think outside the box a bit, especially when it comes to eyeshadow.
Urban Decay has been most inspiring to me since I was in middle school. They made nail polish in colors that most brands didn’t (at the time) with names like Gash and Asphalt. Revlon had a StreetWear collection that was obviously inspired by UD, and until I had more money, I had to use StreetWear instead. Anyway, they’re animal-friendly. Sandy Lerner (cofounder of Cisco Systems) and Wende Zomnir found a need and filled that need-makeup in colors other than pink, red and nude. Now they’ve expanded their target market with the Naked line, and I hope they come out with some more Moondust shadows soon.
I’m a proud Urban Decay Beauty Junkie, just hit Freak status and planning on using the $20 kickback on something good, just can’t decide yet. I hope the new Vice Lipsticks get some more sparkly/glittery/duochrome shades too!
I suppose it would be indie brands (my favorites being Hello Waffle, Howl, Corvus, Fyrinnae, and Shiro) because there is so much variety and a lot of them create shades that you can’t find in mainstream brands like interesting duochrome shadows and highlighters. They have made my makeup routine more adventurous and fun. On the personal side, I love supporting small business and all of the owners I’ve spoken to are really passionate about what they do and being accessible to their customers.
I’ve also always been a fan of Bobbi Brown, not always particularly due to her products, but I like her philosophy on beauty and that she doesn’t always hop on the trend/hype train.
Urban Decay for color. Maybe Sunday Riley for skincare.
I, too, am not inspired by beauty brands per se. I am inspired by brands/MUAs that first recognize one’s natural beauty, and whose products and tecniques complement that beauty. I like pretty, elegance, sophistication. I am also inspired by creativity in the use of products or techniques (e.g. I would never think to use a Bobbi Brown Art Stick on cheeks to transition to an evening look on-the-go.)
I’m more inspired by colors and finishes than by brands. As far as colors and finishes go: Urban Decay, MUFE, Too Faced, Nyx, bhCosmetics, and Makeup Revolution’s stuff often inspires me. Jeffree Star, Notoriously Morbid, Looxi Beauty, and other indie brands’ unique offerings are inspiration from products to names and packaging.
It all depends on my mood. Urban Decay, NYX, Kat Von D, Lorac, Nars and Mac for the my wilder side. When I am in a quieter mood Tarte and Too Faced.
Makeup Geek’s origins inspire me. Even the name is meaningful. She just took her passion and ran with it. I get the feeling it’s not even about money. It’s just that Marlena is driven by her nerdy little obsession. I love that!
Like you Christine, I’ve never felt any real inspiration for any particular brand. If I HAD to say, it would be MAC lipsticks. Many other MAC products I don’t care for, but I do love their huge selection of lipstick and lip gloss colors.
I would have to say Urban Decay comes to mind immediately. To this day, I see a UD palette and my mind starts spinning with the possibilities. I love color and sparkle and an “outside the box” approach. Always have. Even at 52, I can’t imagine going through life with nothing but neutrals. They set the standard for mainstream non-traditional and paved the way for Kat Von D and others. Okay, enough fangirl stuff. Besides UD I love me some indie companies as well. Meow Cosmetics and Notoriously Morbid are two indie brands which also spark my imagine.
Becca highlighting shimmer in opal, Nailsinc Gel Effects. I get so many compliments on my face and my nails. They are confidence builders for me.
Definitely MAC is the one that inspires me the most, maybe because they release so many collection, and all the related images and makeup looks they launch with it, I’ve always find it inspiring. BH cosmetics also inspires me a lot, because of their improbable colors for my age!
Its really difficult to give an answer because me too im not inspired by a brand BUT…
Guerlain with their foundations(almost all of them) make me love the finish of my skin and after that i really want to use the best products that i have for complete a beautiful makeup look…
Chanel
I’m not really “inspired” by any particular brand, but I do get quite excited when I learn of a new Kat von D product. Her coloring & overall aesthetic is very similar to my own, so I have a pretty good idea of how something will look on me from her promos.
I would have said UD – but their latest offering was very average. Generally brands don’t inspire me, people do.
Urban Decay. And they have consistently done so for many years.
Chantecaille. I love that they donate a percentage of sales to endangered species.
Definitely Colour Pop. There’s never a time that I don’t wear something from Colour Pop when I do my makeup.
I like that Illamasqua is quite well known, yet I feel it has a more alternative vibe about it. It doesn’t heed to all the stereotypes of trendy make-up as much and the packaging is nice.
However, the brand that inspires me just for the look is Anna Sui. Everything is so beautiful and matches my look/life so much, I just want to coat myself in it and display it everywhere haha!
Jeffree Star
Too Faced! And also Kat Von D, but for me primarily Too Faced. I find Jarrod and the whole team so bubbly and passionate and just that attitude inspires me. More than that, every time I open up my Sweet Peach or Natural Matte palettemy mind instantly starts churning out so many great ideas for looks. I’ve never been so inspired by a color collection than I am with the Sweet Peach.
On a drugstore level, DEFINITELY Wet N Wild!
The brand I’m in love with recently is ColourPop. Christian Dior and Too Faced are very inspiring brands with regards to constant refershing outcome as well.
KatVonD no question. Her makeup is so inventive and exactly what I look for in shadow,liners, and amazing lip color- it’s always a revelation. I love TooFaced shadow collections but as a whole if I could only buy one brand it’s KVD!!