Powerful words, indeed. But, these aren’t the words of any famous philosopher. These are the words of Rupinder Ashan, an Instagram-popular makeup artist who is changing the rhetoric around makeup.  

Makeup is all about expressing who you are, and using it, not as a mask, but as an art-form to show that outward beauty can be anything you want it to be. 

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Review of the new @nyxcosmetics_uk Can’t Stop Won’t Stop foundation is up on my channel! Click link in bio ✨⚡️ Is it good for people of my skin tone? Does it suit all skin types? Does it last 24 hours?? Is it worth your moniessss??? Watch my video to find out! ▪️ Little bonus – the foundation is on 3-for-2 at @bootsuk 🙌🏽 ▪️ Products used: @nyxcosmetics_uk Can’t Stop Won’t Stop foundation @arderecosmetics Natural to Night palette (sunset mainly) @anastasiabeverlyhills Dip brow in Dark Brown @ardellbeauty_uk Wispy lashes @toofaced Melted matte in Naughty by Nature topped with @narsissist Powermatte in Get it On . . . . . #toofaced #nyxcosmetics #nyxcosmetics_uk #abhbrows #anastasiabeverlyhills #wakeupandmakeup #allmodernmakeup #universomakeup #brian_champagne #makeupmafia #slavetobeauty #inssta_makeup #makeupslaves #makeupartistsworldwide #peachyqueenblog #thebeautybombb #creativemakeup #makeuptutorialsx0x #makeuptransformation #makegirlz #makeupforbarbies #ukbloggers #beautybloggeruk #affordablemakeup #ardelllashes #ardellwispies #ardellbeautyuk #bootsuk #narsissist

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Based in London, Ashan’s makeup looks have created a worldwide stir; what with her being featured on BBC for breaking the mold around bridal makeup. 

Rupinder Ashan
Rupinder Ashan
Rupinder Ashan

“I started doing normal beauty makeup back in 2015,” says Rupinder who has always been interested in makeup from a young age. 

But, it wasn’t until early 2015 when she started to practice more and actually start posting her work on Facebook/Instagram. 

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My face of disgust at the state of my foundation (ft my crazy eye) 😬 #pressplay for a tut on my latest look. Tikka on forehead and neck thingy both handmade by me. Inspired by @lindahallberg 💗💗 Products used: Face: @mehronmakeup white paradise paint ▪️ Brows: @lindahallbergcosmetics Light Core crayon, mixed with: @nyxcosmetics_uk Bad to the Bone Eye Tint ▪️ EYES: @sugarpill Love+ and Flamepoint @lindahallbergcosmetics metallic mysteries palette II Arcturus & Collision @ttd_eye Ocean Grey lenses – use code “makeup_by_rups” for 10% off ▪️ LIPS: @doseofcolors Savage liquid lippy mixed with: @hudabeauty Heartbreaker liquid lippy . . . #hudabeauty #sugarpill #nyxcosmetics #nyxcosmetics_uk #mehronmakeup #mehronuk #lindahallberg #lindahallbergcosmetics #doseofcolours #desixkaty #creativemakeup #wakeupandmakeup #crazymakeup #editorialmakeup #asianbride #shophudabeauty #100daysofmakeup #makeuptutorial

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“I soon started to discover creative makeup artists who did body painting/special effects. I was immediately drawn to those types of looks and started creating my own creative looks by watching YouTube tutorials.” 

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New Year, New Background. Was getting bored of black! Tikka on forehead handmade by me. Inspired by @lindahallberg 💗💗 Products used: Face: @mehronmakeup white paradise paint ▪️ Brows: @lindahallbergcosmetics Light Core crayon, mixed with: @nyxcosmetics_uk Bad to the Bone Eye Tint ▪️ EYES: @sugarpill Love+ and Flamepoint @lindahallbergcosmetics metallic mysteries palette II Arcturus & Collision @ttd_eye Ocean Grey lenses – use code “makeup_by_rups” for 10% off ▪️ LIPS: @doseofcolors Savage liquid lippy mixed with: @hudabeauty Heartbreaker liquid lippy . . . #hudabeauty #sugarpill #nyxcosmetics #nyxcosmetics_uk #mehronmakeup #mehronuk #lindahallberg #lindahallbergcosmetics #doseofcolours #desixkaty #creativemakeup #wakeupandmakeup #crazymakeup #editorialmakeup #asianbride #shophudabeauty #100daysofmakeup

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In 2016, she entered a competition. “I knew I needed to try and think of something unique. I decided to recreate Ganesh, using special effects techniques and this look got a lot of attention.” 

Rupinder Ashan

It was from there, that Ashan started incorporating Indian themes into her makeup. 

“People seemed to like them as they were unique,” she says. 

Rupinder Ashan

Ashan then created a Zombie Indian Bride during Halloween season which went viral, gaining her 5,000 followers in one shot. 

There has been no looking back for her, ever since. 

Rupinder Ashan

But, makeup for Ashan, who has a full-time career as a tax advisor(!), remains a passionate hobby for now. 

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Final peek of this look ————————————————— If you’ve ever taken psychedelics, you’ll relate to this look. 👀😬 I wanted this to look like a kaleidoscope, but realised half way through, that my shapes needed to be symmetrical lol. Instead, it’s seems like I turned myself into a giant Jelly Bean. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Products used: @mehronmakeup @mehronuk Paradise paints (loads of them!) @cameleonpaint inkheart paint @jeffreestarcosmetics I’m Royalty liquid lipstick @colouredcontacts Contact Lenses (can’t remember the name) . . . . . #mehronmakeup #mehron #bodypaint #hudabeauty #creativemakeup #specialeffectsmakeup #jeffreestarcosmetics #wakeupandmakeup #unleashyourinnerartist #crazymakeup #100daysofmakeup #dupemag #jellybean #sweets #colourfulmakeup

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“I love more unconventional makeup, because I really think that makeup is more than just about beauty – it is art,” she reasons. 

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#pressplay Don’t ask me what it is – just some drippy, flowery thing 🤷🏽‍♀️ Inspired by @jordanhanz 💗 Products used: @mehronmakeup paradise paints @mehronmakeup gold metallic powder @glisten_cosmetics NEW discodynamite palette (use code RUPS20 for 20%) @nyxcosmetics_uk Matte suede lippies in “Peach Don’t kill my Vive” and “Violet Smoke” @colouredcontacts Chromaview lenses in Grey Undead . . . . #nyxcosmetics #nyxcosmetics_uk #mehronmakeup #crazymakeup #makeuptransformation #crazymakeups #100daysofmakeupchallenge #artistsoninstagram #artisticmakeup #hudabeauty #wakeupandmakeup #bodypaint #rosemakeup #drips #illusionmakeup #makeuptransformation #glistencosmetics #100daysofmakeup #creativemakeup #makeuptutorials

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“When I’m doing makeup, it’s therapy for me – some of my looks have taken up to 15 hours and I never get bored!”