Beauty is all about self-expression, embracing your individuality, and taking pride in what makes you you. While this, of course, means loving every part of yourself, from your body and your skin to the shape of your nose, it also includes learning to love the temporary parts of you—such as your braces. They are attached to you for at least a year or two, after all.
We get it—braces haven’t had the coolest reputation over the years. But it’s time to change that. Now is the time to flaunt what you got! Long gone are the days of trying to hide them or make them as invisible as possible, because, just like you, your braces are beautiful—and they should be worn with pride.
This is where you get to have fun with it and hone your beauty skills. Bringing in more metallics and sparkle is the perfect way to shine a little light on them. “Braces bring instant attention to your mouth—they are like little disco balls! Embracing the sparkle is always a great choice,” says makeup artist Tony Tulve. “Try coordinating your glitter choices with your band colors for a fun matchy-matchy moment.”
Maybe sparkly makeup isn’t your thing, or you feel its best reserved for the holidays. Let your braces take the spotlight by opting for a more minimal look then. “Bare, dewy skin will let your mouth take center stage. This skin is always in, and gives a great canvas to support your sparkle,” says Tulve.
When you have a mouth full of metal, the least you can do is shine. Below, rising model Selena Johnson shows us how to rock braces with confidence. Keep scrolling for some true “brace face” beauty inspiration.
Photographer: Mary Fix
Stylist and Art Director: Heather Newberger
Makeup: Tony Tulve for Kreative Kommune
Hair: Rebekah Calo using R+Co
Nails: Kana Kishita with One Management
Model: Selena Marie Johnson at New York Model Management
Stylist Assistant: Noa Bricklin
Stylist Intern: Claudi Chwalisz
Urban Decay, Afterglow Highlighter Palette (shades Bliss, NSFW), $34, available at Ulta; Urban Decay, Vice Special Effects Long-Lasting Water-Reisstant Lip Topcoat in ‘Fever’ and ‘White Lie,’ $18 each, available at Urban Decay.
Selena is wearing a Fendi sweater and a Public School skirt.
Kat Von D, Metal Crush Eyeshadow in ‘Thunderstruck,’ $21, available at Kat Von D; M.A.C, Shine Mixing Medium, $23, available at M.A.C; Kevyn Aucoin, The Lip Gloss in ‘Candlelight,’ $30, available at Kevyn Aucoin.
Selena is wearing a Public School shirt, Fendi pants, MM6 shoes, and H&M earrings.
Urban Decay, Vice Lipstick in ‘Disobedient,’ $17, available at Urban Decay; Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Glitter in ‘Pink,’ $15, available at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics; M.A.C, Studio Eye Gloss in ‘Lightly Tauped,’ $22, available at M.A.C.
Selena is wearing a Public School dress, H&M earrings.
Lemonhead LA, Spacepaste in ‘Adult Film,’ $22, available at Lemonhead LA; M.A.C, Dazzleglass in ‘Smile,’ $17, available at M.A.C.
Selena is wearing an H&M sweater, a Max Studio skirt, Nike shoes, and a Thom Browne tie and socks.
Milk Makeup, Eye Vinyl in ‘Bridge,’ $20, available at Milk Makeup; Milk Makeup, Holographic Highlighting Powder in ‘Supernova,’ $30, available at Milk Makeup; Pat McGrath Labs, Lust: Luxetrance Lipstick in ‘Realness,’ $38, available at Pat McGrath Labs.
Selena is wearing a Thom Browne sweater, vest, shirt, and tie, Zara pants, and stylist’s own earrings.
Lemonhead LA, Spacepaste in ‘Mulholland,’ $22, available at Lemonhead LA; Lime Crime, Metallic Velvetine Lipstick in ‘Happi,’ $20, available at Lime Crime.
Selena is wearing an Anna Sui for INC top, a Public School corset, a Zara skirt, Coach boots, H&M earrings, and & Other Stories socks.
Kat Von D, Everlasting Lipliner in ‘Smiths,’ $18, available at Kat Von D; M.A.C, Lipglass Clear, $17, available at M.A.C; Lime Crime, Opalescent Highligher Powder in ‘Opals,’ $38, available at Lime Crime.
Selena is wearing an Anna Sui for INC top.
