Image source: YouTube user Olivia Rodrigo/Everett Collection/Lionsgate and illustration by Michelle Alfonso
With Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire dominating the charts, a Twilight TV reboot in development, and FX's What We Do in the Shadows receiving near-perfect approval ratings, we could say we're in the middle of Vampire. . Renaissance.
It's true: Vampires are having their day in the sun again (metaphorically, of course), and their reign in Hollywood isn't over yet: They've also infiltrated the beauty world and aren't letting go. in the near future. . From the blood-spattered “vampire face” to its body-tightening counterpart, the “vampire breast lift,” there seems to be no shortage of references to the dead. Even the real fangs got into the cat.
And yet, given her flawless, sometimes glowing skin, can anyone be blamed for taking inspiration from vampires? “Vampires are sexy,” says content creator and makeup artist Erin “Al” Porter. "[They're] more often portrayed as sexual fanatics, and you think, 'I know this is bad, but I'm still here.'
How vampires appear in film, from the 18th century aristocrats in Interview with the Vampire to the late 80s bikers in The Lost Boys to Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Dracula in Renfield, is that of vampires inspired beauty incredibly beautiful. . several. Not only does it cover all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations, but it also covers cosmetic dermatology, TikTok makeup tutorials, and even dentistry. Keep scrolling as we delve deeper into the cultural fascination with vampire beauty.
Vampire face
Perhaps the most famous vampire-inspired beauty trend is the vampire face. And although it bears the nickname of the famous monster, it is by no means intended for fans of Anne Rice's novels. In fact, it was introduced to the general public by Kim Kardashian in 2018 and has been a source of fascination ever since.
"A vampire facial involves drawing blood for PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, and then microneedling the face," explains Cara Audrey, licensed esthetician and owner of Aesthetic by Cara Audrey. “Microneedling is a facial procedure that uses a hand-held device with tiny needles to create tiny micro-channels that penetrate the dermis of the skin and promote collagen production.”
Vampire facials, also called PRP microneedling, get their name from the extraction of blood from the patient's skin. However, one can also argue that it is inspired by the immortal glow that many fictional vampires possess, as the process can make skin firmer and smoother, fight acne, reduce scarring, and even reduce acne hyperpigmentation.
Image source: Getty
“The results are immediate,” says Audrey. “Basically, you go in there and it starts producing collagen underneath to smooth your skin. You will see the best results after three months and it is recommended to do three treatments over three months each year if that is what your skin needs. Depending on the condition of your skin, six or even eight treatments may be necessary, but three is usually a good start.
Obviously, customers shouldn't expect to leave the office like a bloodthirsty vampire after another attack, regardless of what they've seen online. “My goal as an esthetician is to prevent bleeding,” says Audrey. “I wish people didn't automatically think that when they think of a vampire facial. There are also many microneedling serums, such as: B. ZO Accelerated Firming Serum or ZO Skin Health Rozatrol, which deliver comparable results to Vampire. Face.
Even if you don't leave the office with skin that literally reflects light like a Twilight-style diamond, you can expect to feel beautiful and radiant once the results of your vampire facial take full effect.
Vampire breast lamp
While the face is the most common site for PRP microneedling, it can be performed on almost any area of the body where you notice damaged, discolored, or aging skin. “Let’s say you have a baby, stop breastfeeding, and potentially have a C-section scar on your stomach,” says Audrey. “Depending on the age and depth of these scars, PRP microneedling will definitely soften them or even remove them.”
A vampire breast lift can give a client a more youthful appearance without surgery or Botox, just as a vampire facial can give a client a more youthful appearance. This treatment is similar to the vampire facial and, although much less popular, works in the same way by building collagen in the skin. “From what I understand, it definitely has a lifting effect,” says Audrey, who has not had a vampire breast lift at her studio but has undergone PRP microneedling on other parts of her body.
“It’s usually done on the chest, not around or under it,” he says. “This is not a treatment where you will see immediate results, but it will leave the skin on your breasts feeling soft and supple.”
Alternatively, there is also “The Great Vampire” breast enlargement surgery, which combines PRP and fat transfer surgery, which you can read about in detail here.
Vampire skin
While a subtle glow is great, sometimes you want something more, let's say holographic. This is where “Vampire Skin” comes to the rescue. This is often seen on Vampire TikTok, a thriving community of undead creators like Porter. As a content creator and makeup artist, the TikTok vampire not only gave her a digital space to express her creativity, but also led her to meet her fiancé, Louis.
"I would describe 'vampire skin' as the glowing, healthy skin that the beauty community has developed, but on steroids," says Porter. “This takes us to a new level where it’s not just an inner glow, but an inner spark.”
There are many variations to the vampire skin trend as content creators use different products and techniques to achieve the desired effect. However, it usually starts with a combination of liquid foundation and glitter. “It was actually harder to create than I expected,” says Porter. “At first I tried applying pure glitter to the base and I think it works better with liquid glitter, but it works better in layers. I had the most success with a few different shimmer shades mixed very loosely. fluffy brush and hit it where I wanted.”
Image source: Erin Porter
To create a radiant base, Porter typically uses Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer in Enlighten ($25), followed by a foundation like MAC Studio Radiance Sheer Foundation in C0 ($42). “Then I mixed the discontinued MAC Loose Powder in Silver Dusk with finely ground Artisan Glitter for shine. Stila Glitter Liquid Eyeshadows ($25) or Mitchell's Blursh Lights in Drip Drip ($9, originally $20) would have been perfect for this, but I had to improvise.”
Although she was skeptical before trying the trend, Porter is now ready to give it another go at the party. “When you go to a place where you're in the spotlight, it's almost like surprise makeup,” she says. “From a distance it looks like you have shiny skin, but when the light hits you it's beautiful. “Now I wish I could go somewhere other than the living room.”
Semi-permanent vampire fangs
While ethereal, shiny skin is a staple feature of many fictional vampires, you can't forget the fangs if you want to go all the way. Fangs have been frequently associated with vampire legends since Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, one of the first modern depictions of vampires since John William Polidori's 1819 short story "The Vampire." Fangs, but that didn't stop other films and television series to make fangs an integral part of the vampire subculture.
Father Sebastian, fangsmith, author and entrepreneur of Endless Night Vampire Balls, grew up in the dental industry and acquired his first pair of fangs almost 30 years ago. This led him to develop the defense himself, a process which he eventually perfected and which made him famous around the world.
“I make five main types of fangs in my Sabertooth series, based on my original fangs,” explains Sebastian. “There are classic canines, i.e. the usual standard canines. Then there are Lilith's side fangs, which are similar to the Lost Boys style. Then I fold the sabers, which are Lilith's classic fangs and side teeth in the same format. I have lost children who had short canine teeth and long side teeth. Finally, I have Brooklyn, inspired by Eddie Murphy from Brooklyn Vampire, with long fangs and short side teeth.
Image source: Father Sebastian
Sabertooth Sebastian's fangs are a far cry from the average fangs sold at a costume or cosplay store. They are custom-made to fit comfortably in your mouth and allow you to drink, sing, smoke and kiss while wearing them. His process begins with customers purchasing a custom casting kit, for which he offers guidelines on his website. Once the stamp is sent, Sebastian can start making his fangs. “I scan the mold with a 3D scanner, take the scans of the teeth that I have, which are pre-made models of the caps, put them on the teeth, print them out, put them in the 3D mold and send them by mail to the “customer”
Sabertooth Sebastian's fangs are also color-matched to each individual, creating a perfect look that's suitable for everything from cosplay to modeling to everyday outfits. They are also made of high-quality dental acrylic, which will last for around two to three years if well cared for, or longer if cared for properly.
Vampiric beauty now and always.
While another cosmetic procedure may result in a vampire's face being obscured, a TikTok vampire's skin becoming another memory of time, and semi-permanent fangs possibly losing their original bite, a vampire's beauty will always exist in some form. Not only will there be more books, films and series about vampires in circulation, but the craze for imitating Hollywood's favorite leech will continue, because no other monster can compete with the vampire.
“A vampire can be anyone and anyone can be a vampire,” explains Sebastian. “They can be science fiction, like Lifeforce from 1985; they could be ancient aliens; they can be cursed by God; They could be cyberpunks. other kinds". The vampire can unite people of all cultures and backgrounds; You just have to have what we call a “black heart.” "
Image Sources: Celebrity Image: Youtube / Olivia Rodrigo, Design Elements: Everett Collection; Lionsgate and photo illustration: Michelle Alfonso