While some of us are still trying to master the art of contouring without looking like we’re covered in streaks, others are way ahead of the game. Romanie-Jade Tulloch, a 19-year-old from Nottinghamshire, has been perfecting her signature illusionist looks since January this year, and people are loving the style. In less than a year, the makeup artist, who studied fine art at Nottingham College for two years, has attracted a dedicated social media audience of 124,000 followers. Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Tulloch says: ‘I get a lot of my inspiration from nature – it’s the basis of all art – and from past artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet and others. ‘A lot of people have asked me if I have a theme and I don’t really. ‘Everything I do is a bit random, I can be sitting down and a random thought pops into my head, and I think oh I’ll try that today.’
The process for the illusions differs depending on what type of structure she settles on and can take between three to five hours to create. ‘I use a lot of small detail brushes in my work, I view it like painting on my face – the smaller the brush, the better,’ Tulloch explains. ‘For detailing I use white clown face paint, and then normal eyeshadow palettes and eyeliner; all of the normal makeup tools but used in a different way.’ Although new to the Instagram makeup scene, the artist has already released her own brush set together with Sigma Beauty.
A self-taught makeup artist, Tulloch credits her home schooling and art degree for her skills. ‘I didn’t study makeup, but I was home educated by my mum, and then I studied for a fine art extended diploma at NCN college (now known as Nottingham college) for 2 years.
‘I feel like these things really helped me focus on growing my art and different techniques, which funnily enough still helps me when I’m doing my makeup illusions. ‘I’ve always loved makeup, and I’ve always loved art, the two go hand in hand.’
If you fancy giving the styles a go yourself, you can do so on a fairly small budget. ‘The materials can cost anywhere between £5 to £30, it all depends on the brands you use. ‘I use a lot of Nyx professional makeup, as those products are kind of made for artistic makeup, and are always affordable.’
Tulloch, who is getting married next September, plans on doing her own makeup on the big day. ‘I will be doing my own makeup, I can’t really imagine anyone else doing it for me. I feel like I know my face and exactly what I want.’ For her next look, she reveals that it will look ‘edgy’ but is coy on giving us any more information.