Decolonising Beauty Standards is a weekend makeup workshop series hosted by professional makeup artist Umber Ghauri. By creating looks that challenge the gender binary and white supremacy, we can imagine a world difference is not punished but celebrated.

In workshop 1, Umber will be discussing the historical relationship between gender, colonisation and beauty standards and also how makeup has become a tool for safety for some trans people. Before moving on to exploring how we can play with our looks and how we can subvert gender norms. There will be a live demo of how to contour a face to look more feminine and an opportunity for people to trial some looks on their own faces and take part in a fun photoshoot.

Colourful face makeup and brushes will be provided, but feel free to bring your own brushes and foundations.

About Umber Ghauri

Umber Ghauri is a makeup artist, writer, model and public speaker. With a passion for celebrating marginalised identities, Umber began their journey with a degree from The Courtauld Institute of Art, quickly moving onto a makeup training course. Combining an understanding of historical and current representation within art and media, Umber realised the role of makeup artist was one of great responsibility where LGBTQ people, disabled people and PoC are underserved. Umber believes that we should all experience our beauty in a positive environment, where we have control over how we look and how we are treated.

Image Cedit: Model: Travis Alabanza | Photographer: Holly Revell | MUA: Umber Ghauri