easy on the eyes

clare exinger’s hobby is a little kookier than most.

Hey Clare! Tell us what you do. Make-up is something I’ve been mucking around with in my free time, and it just so happens it’s taken on a life of its own through social media. In my normal life, I’m finishing up my Master of Public Health while working part-time, so this project is a creative outlet for me.

What are your earliest make-up memories? The first product I remember buying was shimmery eye shadow in bold colours like silver, purple and aqua when I was about 13. The teen magazines I read talked about make-up like a fun accessory – something you could use to experiment with your self-presentation. For a while after that, I struggled with insecurity and make-up became increasingly about covering up and looking presentable. I guess I’ve come full circle, using it as something closer to that original purpose of self-expression.

When and why did you start cockatoomakeup? A few years before starting my Instagram, I’d begun adding little non-traditional elements to my make-up. This sort of cascaded until I was getting really experimental and creating looks that were closer to ‘eye art’. The longer this went on, the more I thought I should create a place to put all these looks. That was nearly three years ago. I think I was driven to explore how make-up could sit outside the ideas society normally assigns to it – associations with vanity or restrictive beauty standards. I like the idea of pushing the boundaries a bit, using make-up as something between a form of wearable art and play.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs? A little corner of my brain is constantly working away at turning things I encounter into ideas for make-up looks. The result is a wide field of inspiration: album art, video games, nature, clothes, even what I had for breakfast. I’m also interested in distinctive, era-defining make-up styles and techniques from past decades – particularly the ’60s through to the ’80s.

Tell us about some of the more unusual looks you’ve created.

The looks I create with food are usually pretty divisive. People get into arguments about whether they’re artistic or stupid, or whether they’re ‘really’ make-up. Truthfully, there isn’t much more of a

thought process behind them than “what if I stuck this muesli to my eye?” It creates something familiar but unexpected, and I like that strange, faintly ridiculous quality.

What kind of tools do you work with? I use all kinds of products, from regular powder eye shadows and pencil or liquid eyeliners to more unusual formulas like water-activated eyeliners and multi-chrome pigments. Mixing medium is my best pal – it allows me to turn powder products into liquid liner, mix products together to create new shades and formulas, and rehydrate products that are drying out. I also use a lash adhesive to stick things to my face!

Do you ever wear these looks out of the house? I’ve worn some of my more creative looks to parties, but I probably wouldn’t wear every look to a desk job. I’ve definitely become more comfortable wearing slightly more experimental make-up to university. Also, this year I’ve learnt you can get away with surprisingly bold make-up over a Zoom call.

There’s an element of glam rock here. Are you a fan of the style?

I was exposed to mainly ’80s music growing up, and perhaps as a result, my stylistic impulses draw more on the New Romantic era and certain post-punk bands – like the B-52s, who created a distinctive, exaggerated and almost theatrical aesthetic. I suppose they have that in common with glam rock, and it’s something that really appeals to me.

Any tips for eye make-up newbies? My main tip is to reassure you that while the techniques take some practice, it doesn’t really matter if your eyeliner is a bit uneven or your eyeshadow’s a bit unblended. Other people likely won’t notice, and at the end of the day you get to wash it off and start afresh. Speaking of, I recommend using microfibre washcloths to remove your make-up – they really do work, and it’s more sustainable than disposable wipes. For detailed liner work, you can find tiny brushes in art shops or for nail art, which are much cheaper than the ones marketed for make-up. You also don’t need to buy an expensive brush cleaner – I use baby shampoo.

Where can we see more of your stuff? On Instagram at @cockatoomakeup.