We take you inside the mind of the self-taught 22-year-old, whose often sparkly looks are taking over Instagram one gem at a time
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Everyone’s jumping on TV show Euphoria’s gemstones-encrusted beauty bandwagon, but if Maddie’s looks are a 10 then jewellery designer Abbie Riveria’s are a 1000 and they were serving up Insta-fab looks before actress Alexa Demie and make-up artist Doniella Davy teamed up. “I’ve always loved putting gems and sparkles on my face to enhance my looks, and after the show Euphoria, I’ve seen a lot of MUAs incorporating gems in theirs,” the 22-year-old says.
You’ll see hundreds, not just a row, of gems in all shapes, sizes and colours painstakingly patterning their skin, and cutely catching the light of the camera flash, on their @abbiechuelaa feed. Most impressively, and uniquely, when used to totally transform their hands and embellish long pointy nails. And while others might add a little complementary colour, Riveria’s imperfectly perfect sweeps of vivid multi-tones, adorable motifs (that sometimes mirror their jewellery), graphic eyeliner flicks and dramatic false eyelashes also compete for attention. The overall effect screams extreme glamour with a sense of fun – the body being another site of experimentation for the multi-talented creative.
While they don’t define themselves as a make-up artist, possibly because they do their bold looks on themselves, they certainly meet the standard. Even though they’d freely admit they haven’t been doing make-up for very long. “I’m used to be so shy but sharing (my looks) has really helped me a lot. My ultimate goal would definitely be to do creative make-up on a huge music video or photoshoot, and to get to work with people I admire.” Sign them up Euphoria.
Here, we talk to Riveria about how they want to encourage others to experiment and express themselves through make-up, and why current beauty standards are incredibly boring.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up?
Abbie Rivera: I live in Orlando, Florida but I was born in Miami. Fun fact: I’ve always wanted to be a designer and I’ve been sketching ideas since I could draw. Growing up in Miami in the 2000s really influenced my style. There’s a lot of art there and, as a kid, I would always ask my parents to take me to the park or a flea market so I could see all the interesting creations.
What is it you do and how did you get into it?
Abbie Rivera: I make jewellery and sell it on Depop. To be completely honest, I got into it because I needed a different way to make money, something that I enjoyed. I was working at a dollar store and it was seriously messing with my mental health, but while working there I started experimenting with my beauty looks. My signature look at the time was two-toned hair, a ton of freckles, two-toned eyeshadow and a star or heart on both cheeks. Then I started creating more complex looks and it took off from there.
Describe your beauty aesthetic in three words.
Abbie Rivera: Colourful, creative, and sparkly!
What are you trying to communicate through your work and why?
Abbie Rivera: The biggest message is to encourage people to try new styles and be more creative with their look. I'm just going to say it: current beauty standards/trends are so incredibly boring. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into a store and everyone is wearing the exact same make-up, accessories, and clothes. I really love the coloured eyebrow trend that I’ve been seeing on Instagram and bleached brows. I’m also very happy that more people have been using colour in their looks – colour always brings out their eyes.
Who or what inspires you?
Abbie Rivera: Anything inspires me: a walk outside, seeing people who also express themselves through art, or even listening to my favourite song. Anything that could be considered beautiful gets my creative juices flowing.
Which fictional character do you most relate to and why?
Abbie Rivera Morticia from The Addams Family. She’s such a mood and her make-up always slays! She’s also always so sarcastic which I can definitely relate to.
Talk us through your favourite beauty looks and how you created it. What response did it get?
Abbie Rivera: My favourite look is the first-hand look I did. It started out as me just being weird and sticking gems to my hand. But then I kept piling more and more jewels on until my hand was completely covered. I didn’t even realise I was doing a look and I was so nervous to post. But my internet friends responded really well to it and encouraged me to do more hand looks so I did.
How do you assert your identity and experiences through your beauty?
Abbie Rivera: Through my early years my creativity was definitely stifled, especially when it came to beauty. So now that I can look how I want, I make sure to express all sides of my personality and feelings through my work. Sometimes I can feel like a beautiful rainbow angel and some days I’ll feel like a fierce fire liner icon, you never know what you’re going to get.
It is the sixth day and you are creating humans. They can look however you want them to. What do they look like and why?
Abbie Rivera: I’d pretty much leave humans the way they look except for making them a lot smaller. Like the size of a rat! Because maybe people would be a little humbler and nicer if they knew what’s like to be the little guy.
What beauty, skin, and hair products are you using the most right now?
Abbie Rivera: I never leave my house without my raspberry Crayola chapstick that my sister gave me, my Milk Makeup KUSH mascara (waterproof) and my Too Faced Born This Way concealer.
You’re the editor of a time-travelling beauty journal 100 years from now, what beauty trends are you reporting on?
Abbie Rivera Thin brows are back! Eye contouring is in! By this time, we’ll have contour down to a science so anyone will be able to completely transform into another person in seconds. Plastic surgery is the norm now but the science is much more advanced and we’ve found lots of non-toxic ways to enhance someone’s look.
What does beauty mean to you?
Abbie Rivera: Beauty means confidence and good nature. If you have an ugly personality, it’ll always peek through. And the more confidence you have, the more radiant you look.
If you had to choose one surgical enhancement, what would it be and why?
Abbie Rivera: Tits please. My boobs are really heavy and not really supported all that much. On top of that, I absolutely LOATHE bras! So yeah, I’d definitely get a breast boost.
Would you rather live forever as an old person or live your life in reverse?
Abbie Rivera: Live life as an old person, I guess. I’d just have to start working out more. The reverse thing sounds traumatic.
What is the future of beauty?
Abbie Rivera: The creative people behind it building the next iconic trends for years to come.