If You Think You're Terrible At Makeup, These 28 Products May Change Your Mind
You'll be feeling like such a pro after using these, others will be asking for *your* beauty tips.
1. A Neutrogena makeup-correcting stick so you don't have to be so anxious about making a "whoopsie" during your beauty routine. This lets you effortlessly clean up smudged eyeliner or mascara, which is more sanitary than using your fingers and more eco-friendly than using cotton swabs!
Amazon
Psst — this is also *perfect* for taking on long trips!
Promising review: "Perfect for travel or quick touch-ups. I was looking for something nonliquid to take when I travel, and this is PERFECT! It's very small and slim and works great. Easily removes makeup and works well on my sensitive skin." — sandy
Get it from Amazon for $7.48 (also available as a two-pack).
2. A tube of Glossier Boy Brow that'll give your brows that textured, voluminous look without the stiffness or flakiness. Just swipe it on like mascara and you'll be rocking a pair of chic Lily Collins brows.
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
Promising review:"Great, easy to use product. Goes on quickly, looks natural but fills everything out. Good for a natural makeup day or something more dramatic depending on how much you layer." — May-Rose R.
Get it from Glossier or Sephora for $22 (available in seven shades).
3. A popular long-lasting eyeliner stamp so the nemesis of your makeup routine is no longer such a hard step. Say goodbye to wasting all your cotton balls (and all those extra minutes you could've used making your coffee) on failed attempts at a flawless eyeliner flick. This stamp will do it for you!
One side is the curved wing stamp, and the other is a regular fine tip liner for defining the rest of the eye. It comes in a pack of two, one for each eye.
The Flick Stick comes from New Zealand-based brand and small biz Lovoir Beauty.
Promising review:"Got this before a trip I took a few days ago. I have never been able to do wing eyeliner properly so I was excited to try this. It's very pigmented and goes on beautifully! I've tried other liquid eyeliners before and they were so watery and not close to a dark black I wanted at all but this product was great. I did my makeup and put this eyeliner on at 9 am, traveled two hours, walked around a city for about three hours and it was warm so I was sweating, and then went to an NBA game. After all that time (about 16 hours!), the eyeliner was just as perfect as I had put it on! I love this product and can't wait to use it more often!" — Elizabeth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three sizes and a combo pack).
4. A touch-up razor and dermaplaning tool that'll let you create the ~smoothest~ canvas for your glam. This lets you quickly shape your brows or remove any of those other fine facial hairs that you just don't have the time or patience to pluck out one by one. Have no fear — it's super gentle and painless!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It comes with a precision cover to help you shape your brows to the exact shape you want. Or leave them just how they are. Remember, removing facial hair (or any hair) is optional, not necessary!
Promising review:"Plucking the more egregious of my thick black hairs is at least a 2–3x/week effort. I opened these rather hesitantly — I mean, they are sharp blades going on your face — took a sip of Prosecco for courage, washed my face and started shaving. I could not believe how easy and quick it was. After a couple of swipes down my cheek, I noticed that it was done. I thought it was going to take a lot more skill and time. First complete face shave (full cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, jawline) over and done with in less than three minutes with outstanding results. So much easier than tweezers and depilatories!! Wow." — Tara D.
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.94 (also available in a pack of nine).
5. A foundation brush — you're bound to love it no matter what your level of experience is. With a perfect balance of soft and firm, it lets you achieve that hard-to-get ~flawless finish~ whether you're blending powder or liquid. Plus, many reviewers mention how user-friendly the bristle design is (especially for beginners).
www.amazon.com
Check out TikTok of the makeup brush in action.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok. I'm a middle-aged woman, so it's difficult for me to admit that. I. LOVE. IT! It gives a flawless finish with little product. I have a compact foundation that comes with its own applicator sponge. I almost threw it out because I didn't like the coverage. I tried this brush with it, and it's perfect! It also comes in a plastic case, which is great because I travel a lot with my work and my other brushes get damaged sometimes." — Thayel M. Caison
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors).
6. An under-eye brightener that'll help balance out the bluish tones of under-eye shadows and dark circles. And bonus! It's infused with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish your skin and give you a radiant glow. Wear it by itself or under your concealer for a more full-coverage look!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have hollow dark under-eye circles, and concealer never works for me bc it just makes my under eyes dry and doesn't conceal the darkness. THIS STUFF IS MAGIC. It has a very hydrating formula, and a tiny bit goes a very, very long way. I'm so impressed and incredibly happy with this purchase!" — Val
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades),
7. And Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind concealer with a cushion applicator that makes it easy for you to conceal any blemishes or dark circles before you head out for another day of making the world believe you totally did not stay up marathoning your latest Netflix obsession.
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Emma Lord says about it:"TBH, at the start of the pandemic I started using this myself (although this is former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo's lovely human face above), and I am mad that I wasted time with other concealers for so long. I am a deeply impatient person who likes to look good and does not like to put in effort in any way, shape, or form, and Maybelline created this so that people like me could gracelessly slap it on in the morning and be like "OKAY, REFLECTION, YOU GOT THIS" before being on their merry way. It never cakes, I look way more awake than I have any right to, and I never struggle to blend it the way I do with other concealers. 11/10 subscribe."
Promising review:"Throughout high school, I never knew how to do makeup. But then I heard this product was the absolute best on TikTok. And trust me, they were not lying. It has really good coverage and hides my 'raccoon eyes.' And the best part is that a little bit goes a long way. So if you're starting out or want to try something new, I definitely recommend you try this out." — Liela Lee
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 24 shades).
8. A sheer tint BB cream for anyone for prefers something lighter and easier to blend than regular foundation. This oil-free formula gives you allover coverage while mattifying and reducing redness. And bonus! It's got a hint of salicylic acid that can help clear acne.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Personally, I never liked a liquid form of makeup. It was hard to use in my opinion. But this completely changed my mind, and I love using it. Super easy to apply for first time makeup users." — Rene
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in five shades).
9. A daily lash serum because it'll make your mascara step twice as easy since it'll make your lashes longer and stronger within just a few weeks. Soon, you'll be resisting the urge to flutter your lashes like a cartoon character every time your S.O. walks by.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was amazed when my daughter got this product and her eyelashes looked so long without makeup. I had to try it for myself and sure enough it worked for me as well! Now we both have long full eyelashes without any mascara. This product is truly amazing!!" — jenny schillinger
Get it from Amazon for $22.49 (available in two styles).
10. Or these glamorous reusable magnetic lashes that'll have you turning heads one blink at a time. Say goodbye to struggling with glue and wasted lashes — each set of these sticks right to the included eyeliner, so you can finally toss that goopy glue out.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I don't have very long or thick lashes and I suck with makeup. I was never able to wear false lashes outside the house. Ever. And this was not my first time trying magnetic lashes. But these ones were so, SO easy to put on. The liner is very liquid so it was easy for me to apply and fill in. I used the last set from the natural lashes side for the look in the pics." — Mona
Get an eight-piece set from Amazon for $18.99.
11. E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter reviewers are hailing for giving them a lit-from-within glow that doubles as compliment bait. This lightweight, buildable formula is infused with hydrating squalane for a dewy, radiant finish. Plus, its cushion tip helps you apply to the high points of your face with precision and ease. Someone better go check on Charlotte, because this is giving her Flawless Filter a run for its money. 👀
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and squalane for a boost of hydration!
Promising reviews: "This stuff is so legit I've gone through three bottles. Adds the perfect glow to your skin! Sometimes, I use it under foundation, and sometimes, I use it solo with a bit of concealer. I will never not repurchase it for the price and how beautifully it sits on the skin. This stuff is viral for a reason!!" — mapagill
"If you like Charlotte Tilbury's flawless filter, this is leaps and bounds better! Just buy it. The coverage is better; [it] makes my skin have the most amazing natural glow! The colors run with a more warm/yellow undertone, which worked great for me! Spend a fraction of the price and just get it; you will be happy you did!" — Amazonreview
Get it from Amazon for $9.02+ (available in 12 shades).
12. A dual-sided precision brow brush to help you achieve that trendy "clean girl" makeup look. You can use the spoolie side to brush up the hairs, while the angled end lets you easily fill in your arches for a full yet natural-looking brow.
Sephora
Life Hack: A dry spoolie is also great for removing mascara that's transferred to your lid during application. I do this all the time!
Promising review:" I don't really know how to shape and draw my eyebrows until I use this brow brush! The width of the bristle just fits my eye brow's original shape. It's also easy to apply with brow powder for a natural effect. Love it!" — YoyoZ
Get it from Sephora for $22.
13. Plus, an eyebrow stencil kit so that you can perform your brow powder application with confidence. This includes 30 wearable stencils that ensure your brows look ~flawless~ every time. It's also extra helpful for anyone who's ever had an over-plucking phase (the early 2000s did a number on us 🙃).
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The kit comes with 30 different eyebrow stencils, a shaping razor, and a double-sided waterproof eyebrow pencil.
Promising review:"Really great! Surprisingly! I bought these expecting the worst and they were awesome! There are tons of different eyebrow stencil options. I found one closest to my eyebrow shape. I struggle with drawing my eyebrows to match. Their shapes are naturally quite different. This set did a great job. I used my own brow pencil, however, because the light brown color is very crayon brown. I like a more taupe color for my brows." — Chls
Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four colors).
14. Eyeshadow color removal sponges that'll help simplify the makeup process. This lets you use your go-to eye brush for your whole eye shadow routine by instantly cleaning off even your darkest shades.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes has to say about it:"I picked up this color removal sponge from Amazon after hearing about this hack on TikTok and can testify that it actually works SO well. I'm *so* bad about cleaning my brushes (I know...shameful) and this makes it super easy to clean a brush in a matter of seconds. So even if I'm trying to do a *slightly* more elaborate eyeshadow look for the day, this makes the process of switching colors as quick and painless as possible. Also, it's *super* lightweight, and I've already tossed it in my bag and brought it on vacation with me. This is one of those products I won't be traveling without in the future if I plan on doing eyeshadow at any point — and it means you only need to pack one or two eyeshadow brushes!"
Promising review: "This product makes it even easier for me to be lazy when it comes to cleaning my brushes. It also allows me to use the same brush for a makeup look since I can swish away a previous shadow and move on to the next. Great buy. Super easy to wash. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, but when I do finally travel again, I'm sure this will be excellent to travel with and make it so that I only need to bring one or two brushes." — Azaleah Bumpus-Barnett
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (also available as a pack of four).
15. A creamy eyeshadow stick if you want to add a quick pop of glow that requires almost no effort. Just swipe this across your lids — no brush required — and you're good to go. Plus, they're enriched with vitamins C and E, and you can choose from a variety of gorgeous shimmery, matte, and metallic shades.
Amazon
Promising review: "This is my fifth color. This is the best thing to happen to makeup. I can do a smokey eye or a natural one in under a minute. I suck at makeup. This makes it so easy. I am also 51. The Coco color has some shimmer. It does not crease or define my wrinkles. Putty and Clay are amazing." — kristyn
Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in 45 colors).
16. A color-changing BYO Blush Oil — gone are the days of getting a blush only to find out it's anything other than the perfect rosy tone on your cheeks. This oil is designed to react to the pH of your skin so you get a lovely tint specific to *your* skin tone!
Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
Youthforia is an Asian woman-owned small business established in 2020 that specializes in environmentally friendly, cruelty-free makeup made with at least 90% renewable ingredients.
Fun fact: All of Youthforia's makeup is designed with ingredients that won't muck up your skin if you sleep with it on!
Promising review:"This blush product is awesome. For me it only takes two very small dabs on both cheeks for desired result. I also dab on my lips for a great under-color base! I hope they never stop making this product!" — Elise F.
17. A pack of self-adhesive eyeshadow shields, aka your little helper when it comes to eyeshadow fallout or accidental smears. The best part? It also acts as a guide for the perfect winged liner or smoky eyeshadow look!
Amazon
Promising review:"I've been a certified makeup artist for 12 years. Used for my cousin's wedding makeup, and they worked really well as far as catching fallout and shaping goes, but taking them off, they really stick so just be gentle. Still great." — Andrea
Get a box of 120 pieces from Amazon for $6.99.
18. Or a silicone reusable eye makeup shield to guide you through the trickiness that is winged liner while doubling as an under-eye de-puffer — you can pop it in the fridge or freezer and let it be a glorious wake-up treat for your skin in the morning!
Amazon
Promising review:"This moon slice is perfect and everything I've ever wished for. I wanted an eyeshadow shield that a) wasn't sticky, and b) was reusable. This particular gadget gets bonus points for being made of silicone, which is stiff yet flexible and fits comfortably — and pleasantly — under the eye. I also feel the grippy nature of the silicone helps catch eyeshadow fallout better than, say, a business card. All in all, this is an amazing little tool." — Kat
Get it from Amazon for $13.03.
19. A self-sharpening clear lip liner, which will help you avoid that pesky lipstick feathering. And since it's colorless, you don't have to be so cautious about mess-ups! Plus, since you can use it with any lipstick color, it's the only lip liner you'll ever need. 😉
Ulta
Get it from Ulta Beauty for $8.49 (available in 11 other colors).
20. An 18-piece makeup brush set because they'll help you complete each step of your makeup routine like a total pro. They're so high-quality they even surprised one reviewer with how well they've held up after two years! Plus, the included cylinder case allows you to set them upright on your vanity *and* serves as easy packaging for travel.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was a loyal IT Cosmetics brush customer, then I went with a few Real Techniques brushes. These actually beat both of those brands — I have no idea how! I ended up tossing most of my brushes now in favor of these. They wash easily, look nice, are soft, and very durable. I'll keep buying!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors).
21. A creamy Maybelline matte liquid lipstick that'll feel like ~nothing~ on your lips while adding a gorgeous pop of color to your glam. They stay on all day and actually moisturize your lips instead of drying or cracking. Plus, you'll be surprised to look in the mirror after an extra long day and realize it's still as vibrant as when you applied it. Talk about getting more bang for your buck!
www.amazon.com, Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord is committed to this lipstick. She writes:"Personally, I absolutely swear by this lipstick to the point that I haven't used anything else in years (my favorite is the muted pink 'Seductress'). I'm pretty bad at applying anything matte, but this formula and the applicator make it close to foolproof. It lasts a long time and my lips never feel chapped or dry. I also like that when it does fade, it does it in a gradual way that doesn't look obvious or patchy and require an immediate touch-up."
Check out our Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick review for more.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 43 colors).
22. Or a nongreasy, agave-based tinted lip butter if you'd prefer something that gives you a more subtle touch while requiring much less focus than a more pigmented alternative. With a nourishing mix of shea butter, vitamin E, green tea seed oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil, this'll keep your lips hydrated with a semi-sheer hint of color.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love these sticks. The colors are really nice and can be put on lighter or heavier for desired coloring. They aren't too dark, which I really appreciate and they're buttery soft and don't leave my lips dried, streaked, or blotchy looking." — Alyssa V
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 12 colors).
23. A fine-toothed eyelash comb to give your mascara-coated lashes a more "falsie" effect. With just a quick comb-through, you can ditch the gooey clumps and achieve the full, wispy lash look you've wanted forever.
Amazon
Promising review:"Love brushing out my lashes with this after applying mascara. Gets rid of lumpy clumpy lashes and fluffs them to a natural voluminous finish. If you use drugstore mascara that is giving mediocre results, try out this lil device. A huge difference for a small price." — Sierra Jill
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in six colors).
24. An eye primer because it'll make the eyeshadow look you created 10 hours ago look like it's only been 10 minutes. It helps keep your eyeshadow from wearing off, smudging, or creasing, and enhances your eyeshadow's color and vibrance!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My skin is oily and at the end of the day my eye makeup looks bad. I started using your primer and what a difference. Now my eye makeup still looks good when I get home from work. Can't believe the difference. I love it!" — Deb Rubin
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 10 styles).
25. And an Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later face primer — the little potion you'll be thanking at the end of a long day when you're makeup *still* looks bomb AF. This pore-minimizing miracle worker (with SPF 30!) helps blur your pores, gives you a ~velvety complexion,~ and locks your look in place so that it doesn't move or shift around. Plus, it comes in four problem-solving formulas.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Elizabeth Mott is a Korean American, woman-owned biz!
Promising reviews: "I wore this primer under my foundation (Nars and Maybelline Fit Me) along with setting spray (Nyx) in this photo [above right]. I had been dunked in the pool two times and went down a giant slide that caused you to go underwater three times. This was the result of my makeup! Love this product. A little goes a long way!" — Ryan Brooks
"I have extremely sensitive, acne-prone skin. I realized the makeup I was previously using was breaking me out so I threw it away and purchased this primer with a powder foundation from another brand. THIS PRIMER THOUGH!! I hated the powder foundation I purchased and got rid of that, too, but this stays. I use this as my foundation now! It comes out green but blends into your face quickly. It covers my redness and uneven skin tone, but my freckles can still be seen. It makes my face look almost flawless, hydrated, and clear. This blew me away. I've already been suggesting it to friends, and I will continue to buy this over and over again." — LGee
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 10 styles).
26. An easy-to-use guide wand and eyeliner duo so that you never again have to *literally* hold your breath in order to obtain the ultimate, flawless eyeliner look. This genius wand is designed to help steady shaky hands (who knew that quad shot of espresso this morning would be so strong?) and features a flexible, replaceable silicone tip that's gentle on the eyes.
Guide Beauty, www.youtube.com
Guide Beauty is a woman-owned small biz founded by makeup artist Terri Bryant after her own Parkinson's diagnosis made some once-routine makeup techniques more difficult. So she set out to listen to the most common makeup struggles and develop tools to make application easier for everyone!
Promising review:"I have extremely hooded Asian eyelids and shaky hands so eyeliner has kind of always been insurmountable to me and I had pretty much given up on it before trying this. I bought it with hopes it would work but it's now an actual game-changer in my makeup routine. Upon first attempt, I was able to do winged eyeliner for each eye in under five min., and the eyeliner has not budged since application. I haven't worn it out yet, but it feels like a pretty strong hold. Overall, I'm in love with this product." — Hailey
Get it from Guide Beauty for $50.
27. A light-up makeup mirror, which will stop you from ever again having to precariously lean over your bathroom counter while you try to create the perfect brow shape. This one has a bright LED light, 7x magnification, and brings the mirror right to you (which is *perfect* for travel, too!).
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"The suction is awesome; I have moved this mirror every which way and it hasn't come off once. I'm really pleased with how well it has held up on my vanity mirror. Bending over the counter top to apply my makeup in the morning was driving me wild. It took me a day or two to get used to the magnification but that has actually be super helpful with applying mascara. I'm very pleased." — Jade
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
28. And a digital makeup lesson guidebook — your new makeup mentor bestie. This downloadable file comes jam-packed with expert tips, tricks, and diagrams, all designed in an easy-to-digest format so that you can become a pro at everything from skincare to color correction to knowing exactly where each product goes on your face shape.
Olive And Lace Studio / Etsy
Olive and Lace Studio is a woman-owned Etsy shop run by Amanda, a wife, mom, and veteran makeup artist creating digital resources to aid your own hair and makeup journey, whether you're a hobbyist or professional.
Promising review:"I got this for my mom to provide an easy to understand foundation to makeup — she loved it! I love the design and graphics too, very elegant and streamlined." — Tara McMahon
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One day in June, Thalía Gochez, a Los Angeles-based photographer, noticed that her local flower vendor, Doña Sylvia, had stopped going to work. Eventually, she learned it was because of the immigration enforcement actions sowing fear in the city. That's when she decided to organize an art fundraiser. 'The point of the art show was to create connection and unity in a time that is deeply scary for everyone,' Gochez said. 'I realize I have this privilege ... not only citizenship [but] access to some resources and education. I have a responsibility as a community member to do something about what's happening now.' On July 12, a month after an onslaught of ICE raids began in Southern California, an estimated 600 guests attended 'The Land Will Always Remember Us,' a group exhibition held at Amato Studio in Mid-City. More than 30 artists across the country, as well as from Oaxaca, Mexico, submitted photographs, sculptures and paintings, conveying collective stories from the Latine diaspora. With Doña Sylvia's consent, her bouquets were also sold at the event. In the main gallery, a print titled 'Immigration Is Sacred,' by Brittany Bravo, centered an elderly man surrounded by butterflies. 'Monarch butterflies have migrated across North America long before these man-made borders scarred the earth,' Bravo wrote, referencing the photo series. 'Migration is part of nature. Your walls are not.' Gochez and volunteers constructed an installation of brightly colored piñatas decorating an archway. The piece honored the shopping districts in L.A. and the callejones that Gochez noticed were losing business due to the presence of federal agents. But she wanted to create an 'uplifting' environment, an ode to the spaces that have brought her joy and positive memories. A mercadito with frutas propped against prints and signage by participating artists was intended to feel like a 'sanctuary' and generate a sense of safety, Gochez said. The art sales, as well as contributions from vendors offering airbrushed tees and flash tattoos, raised about $10,000. The money was distributed between the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Immigrant Defenders Law Center. Like Gochez, other artists and cultural workers are responding to ICE operations and extending their efforts. Erika Hirugami is an academic curator and founder of CuratorLove, an enterprise through which she primarily works with intergenerational immigrant, migrant and 'undocplus' (formerly or currently undocumented) individuals in the arts to secure resources. 'A lot of people in my community felt powerless,' she said. 'In the undocplus community, there's a lot of pain, grief and trauma that's currently being heightened because of everything that's happening in the city.' Within 45 days, she organized a two-part fundraiser, 'Abolish ICE Mercado de Arte,' which featured 300 artists from throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Its first installment, held in July at Human Resources in Chinatown, raised $15,000 to benefit the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and Inclusive Action for the City. The second iteration, held in August at the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, collected $7,500 that went to several organizations, including Comunidades Indigenas en Liderazgo, a women-led nonprofit. There were music performances, poetry readings, art workshops and a healer offering energy alignment. In between events, Hirugami partnered with multidisciplinary artist Ruben Ochoa to sell prints of his serigraph, titled '¡Tintí Proceeds went directly to street vendors 'who haven't been able to leave their homes,' she said. Revolution Carts, a company that has collaborated with Ochoa by using his custom wrap designs and supporting vendors, also matched the donations, totaling $2,500. 'Typically, artists are always at the innovative revolutionary stance,' Hirugami said. 'So we need to be mindful of what they're saying, how they're doing it and how they're all coming together to create actionable results, beyond just standing in solidarity with communities. This mercado is an example of that.' Visual artist Patrick Martinez, who exhibited in the initial mercado, engages with public-facing art. In early June, at an anti-ICE protest in L.A., he distributed his fluorescent-lettered signs that read 'Deport ICE' and 'Then They Came for Me.' 'It is about being heard,' he said. 'And saying something that pushes back on the status quo and what got us here.' Martinez, whose work is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, is documenting history as an archivist, he explains. 'I make work that speaks to today, the experiences of today and the time we are living,' he said. The neon signs, which include protest language and adapt time-honored slogans, are formatted as storefront installations and signs for lawns and demonstrations. 'It's a chance for me to get the work back into the place that informed it,' Martinez said. Some of his neon print works have been auctioned or donated as part of fundraisers. 'Mutual aid is No. 1,' he said. His 'Abolish ICE' signs, including apparel, can be purchased online, with proceeds going to CHIRLA and additional front-line immigrant rights organizations. Award-winning illustrator Lalo Alcaraz is an editorial cartoonist, artist, writer and the creator of the syndicated daily comic 'La Cucaracha,' which has been published nationwide for 23 years, including in the L.A. Times. Growing up in San Diego and Tijuana in the 1960s and 1970s shaped his perspective and identity. His illustrations often critique political issues in the U.S., with a focus on the challenges and experiences of Latinos. 'I have to use satire to kind of mock, and I think in a very Mexican way, a bad situation, so that we can get through it,' he said. In a recent painting, titled 'Summer of Ice,' Alcaraz portrayed a cart abandoned on a residential street in Culver City. The scene is based on a photo captured after a paletero was taken by masked men in unmarked vehicles. Alcaraz made prints with sales going to the individual's legal defense fund. And when David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was arrested and charged with conspiracy to impede an officer while documenting an ICE raid in L.A., 'Everyone was horrified,' Alcaraz said. 'I knew right away this was my assignment.' Likening it to the style of a 'classic political poster with an image and slogan,' he repurposed his painting of Huerta for a feature in CALÓ News, which included the phrases 'Free David Huerta' and 'Show ICE La Puerta!' The union later used the artwork for protest signs demanding the release of the labor leader. Artists like Kiyo Gutiérrez Trapero have brought attention to causes and injustices in other ways. The day before the immigration sweeps began in June, the performance artist used ice and soil to create a message that spelled 'No human is illegal' on the concrete bed of the L.A. River. Gutiérrez, who graduated with a master of fine arts degree from the University of Southern California in May, was determined to perform the piece before leaving for her hometown, Guadalajara. The 'ritual' involved breaking down ice chunks and placing the cubes before melting, then gently blanketing the letters with soil. These repetitive gestures 'echo the resilience, care and relentless urgency that define the immigrant experience,' said Gutiérrez. 'These actions are meant to honor and celebrate the labor, strength and dignity of immigrants, migrants and all undocumented people.'
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Justin Bieber impersonator tricks Vegas nightclub into letting him perform, runs up $10K bar tab
Un-belieb-able. A Justin Bieber impersonator ran up a $10,000 bar tab after he tricked staff at a Las Vegas nightclub into believing he was the Canadian pop star — even getting up on the stage for an impromptu performance. The bizarre incident took place at the five-star Wynn Las Vegas, where LA-based DJ Gryffin was performing at XS Nightclub. Gryffin was told that Bieber, 31, was in town and wanted to make a surprise appearance during his Saturday night show. Believing he was the real Biebs, he invited him into the DJ booth, TMZ reported. 4 A fake Justin Bieber fooled a Vegas nightclub into believing he was the real pop star. TikTok / @isaagonzalezz_ 4 The scammer got on stage to perform a song and allegedly ran up a $10k bar tab. Instagram / @gryffin Video posted on social media shows the shirtless, tattooed impersonator, wearing dark shades and low-slung blue jeans, belting out a version of Bieber's 2015 hit 'Sorry' in front of a packed nightclub crowd, all of whom appeared oblivious about the scam. The shameless scammer, identified as 29-year-old Dylan Desclos, sang a couple of Bieber's songs before Wynn staff realized the truth and kicked him off the stage. Gryffin jokingly dubbed the prank 'Beibergate' in an Instagram post, explaining that a 'dark venue and loud music didn't help.' 4 The real Justin Bieber was not in attendance. BACKGRID Gryffin shared a video showing him hyping up the French fake Bieber's performance before being told the news of the devastating dupe. 'I literally thought, 'he's put on a lot of weight since the album dropped,'' Gryffin said at the end of the video. Social media clips also show the Desclos posing for selfies and browsing stores with his 'security guards' during the Vegas trip. He and his entourage ran up an almost $10,000 bar tab during their stunt, which the fake Bieber eventually paid as he was kicked out, Neon reports. Desclos, who has shared a number of videos in recent years of him pretending to be Bieber, even got similar tattoos and a matching buzzcut as the real mega star. Last year, the impersonator caught the attention of Bieber's wife, Hailey Bieber, after he was spotted on a train in his native France. 'I'm scared…' Hailey commented on a TikTok of an impersonator. 4 The prank took place at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday. eqroy – The nightclub has responded to the prank. 'After an elaborate and multi-step ruse by him and his advance team, a Justin Bieber impersonator was granted access to the XS stage,' a representative for Wynn and XS Nightclub told TMZ. 'As soon as the error was recognized, he was removed from the resort and denied future entry.' Representatives for Desclos did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
