how Frida Kahlo's beauty routine impacted her art

 

Frida Kahlo was a 20th century Mexican painter most well known for her self-portraits. Her 1940 self-portrait, The Dream (The Bed), is the most expensive piece of art by a female artist that has ever been auctioned off. She created some 200 works in her career. Her art was heavily influenced by Mexican nature and culture. Outside of her art, Frida was also known for her striking physical appearance. Kahlo had markedly dark features, a unibrow, hair on her upper lip, and crooked teeth. Despite her divergence from western ideas of beauty, she had a unique charm. 

Kahlo took great care with her appearance. In her beauty collection, she kept a jar of Pond's cream, deep red Revlon blush and lipstick, and many bottles of perfume and nail polish. No foundation, concealer, or eye makeup that she owned has been discovered.

So, how did Frida Kahlo's beauty routine affect her art?

She made sure to always look beautiful and well-dressed, even if she was not going to have visitors that day. It seems that she simply wanted to look presentable for the studio. She made sure to always braid her hair and wear colorful, cultural clothing. 

It is possible that Kahlo's beauty routine was more of a ritual that she used to prepare herself for her painting efforts. Her self-portraits were made by having a mirror mounted beneath her bed and, of course, included long periods of staring at her own face and body. 

What can we learn from Kahlo's beauty ritual?

Even if your work does not include long periods of staring at yourself, a pre-work ritual can help you to feel prepared and to increase your confidence for the day. That ritual can include beauty but it does not have to. A ritual should include whatever makes you feel strong and ready.