This Makeup Face Art Looks Like It's From The Little Mermaid

Using makeup as face paint art has been trending for a while, especially during Halloween season. But this Spring, it's taking a tropical island turn thanks to makeup artist Karla Powell. She teamed up with travel site Kuoni to create avant-garde beauty looks inspired by what's under the sea in the Maldives. Specifically, she was influenced by tropical fish (the regal angelfish, clown triggerfish, lyre anthias, and blue lined surgeon, to be exact) and vibrant coral reefs.

Karla said in a press release: "By researching marine life in the Maldives I found there was an amazing diversity of sea life, with mysterious corals and over 2,000 species of beautiful alluring fish. For inspiration, I mentally threw myself into the Indian Ocean, trying to view the scenery through the eyes of the creatures that live there. I visited the Tate Modern in London a few days before the shoot to look at other creative work. Abstract art defies rules and conventions, and it's up to me as the artist to know all of those rules, and then break them."

She used acrylic painting brushes (instead of traditional makeup brushes), Mehron face paint, loose eye shadow powders, and glitter to bring her visions to life.

"The 'No make-up look' is officially over and these images perfectly demonstrate the trends I think will be big for 2016, particularly a strong metallic lip (as championed by Lupita Nyong'o at the Star Wars premiere) and small but impactful touches of blue," she added.

Keep reading to see more images of her stunning work, as well as behind-the-scenes shots!