During the holiday season, Netflix released several popular works, including the Japanese drama “First Love,” which brings back memories of first love, and the spin-off series “Wednesday” directed by the genius Tim Burton, known for “The Addams Family” franchise. “Wednesday” has gained immense popularity and has become the number one show on Netflix within two weeks of its premiere, breaking the viewership record set by “Stranger Things.” With its success, the main character, Wednesday Addams, has become a popular figure on the internet, inspiring numerous videos showcasing Wednesday-inspired makeup and fashion. Tara McDonald, the makeup and hairstyling director of the series “Wednesday,” personally reveals the key elements of the protagonist’s makeup look.
The protagonist of “Wednesday,” Wednesday Addams, is portrayed by young actress Jenna Ortega, who is only 20 years old. Her extremely dark and antisocial character often engages in unpredictable and somewhat sadistic behavior. To match Wednesday’s family background and personality, her all-black gothic style and makeup are essential. How exactly is the perfect dark and aloof makeup look created? Popular beauty influencer Cat Quinn, who specializes in explaining the hair and makeup of main characters in TV series, has invited Tara McDonald, the hair and makeup director of “Wednesday,” to personally share the secrets behind Wednesday’s makeup.
Although Wednesday Addams has antisocial and sadistic tendencies, she also has a warm heart. She tries her best to comfort her schoolmates and worries about their safety. Because of her cold exterior and warm interior personality, Tara McDonald intentionally softens the gothic smoky makeup by using monochromatic eyeshadows #Matrix and #Carbon from M.A.C, and adding warm brown tones like #Script to create a gentle and girly eye makeup that still maintains a sense of aloofness.
In terms of lip makeup, Tara McDonald uses the same lip liner #Night Moth from M.A.C, mixed with transparent lip balm, to greatly reduce the high saturation of dark lip color. Compared to using only dark shades of high saturation lipstick, Tara’s technique can better highlight the not-yet-fully-darkened girlishness of the protagonist Wednesday Addams. Finally, with contouring and freckle effects, Wednesday Addams has sharper and more pronounced contour lines and an inner dark girl feeling.
