Pop-Cultured: ‘The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star’

Cartoon+of+Jeffree+Star+and+Shane+Dawson+%7C+via+Isabelle+Schlegel

Isabelle Schlegel

Cartoon of Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson | via Isabelle Schlegel

By Oakley Burt, Arts Editor

After keeping fans eagerly waiting in anticipation for nearly a year, Shane Dawson has released his new, nine part web series, “The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star.” This is the follow up to Dawson and Star’s 2018 web series, “The Secret Life of Jeffree Star.” The first series delved into the mystery surrounding Star as a person, and his rise to fame and fortune. It also teased that a beauty collaboration between the two might be in the works. 

Now, their collaboration has become a reality, with the new series serving as a behind-the0scenes documentary of Dawson and Star creating their makeup collection. The filming of the series began in February 2019, and showcases all the events leading up to the collection launch date. They wanted to document the process because this level of transparency and honesty of the business side of beauty hasn’t been present in the industry.

The series wastes no time getting down to the nitty-gritty, with a business meeting at Star’s office with Dawson, Star and the heads of Jeffree Star Cosmetics to discuss potential products, production time and profits. The duo decides to manufacture an 18-shade “Conspiracy”  eyeshadow palette, nine-shade “Controversy” eyeshadow palette, six liquid lipsticks, makeup mirrors, beauty bags and Shane Dawson merch in under a year. 

As the series progresses, Star and Dawson move to the production stages, choosing the shades, pigmentation effects and names for the eyeshadow palettes and liquid lipsticks. From there, each shade is tested by Star and Dawson to ensure the best quality. Once the shades are ‘Jeffree Star’ approved they begin to design the palette containers, logos, accessories and seek out a major brand deal with Morphe

The series has already sparked controversy in the beauty community with the industry secrets Star has exposed, and drama that is about to unfold in the series — the fallout from the James Charles and Tati Westbrook drama will be included. Despite the community backlash, the series has received many positive reviews from viewers for being raw, uncensored and authentic.

I, for one, was thrilled when I learned Dawson and Star were creating a follow up series to “The Secret Life of Jeffree Star,” more so when it was revealed they would be creating makeup together. I began watching Star’s YouTube videos in high school to learn tips, tricks and what products to use, but I never knew much about his cosmetics company. As a makeup enthusiast, I have enjoyed learning how a cosmetics company is run from early production stages to retail release.

“The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star” is engrossing — full of passion, heart and personality. Dawson and Star are devoted to their work, creating a collection that is authentic and true to who they are. The series has managed to give viewers an inside look at the business side of the beauty industry without compromising their integrity or friendship along the way. 

Episodes one through six are available now on YouTube. Dawson has said these episodes will reveal the entire collection, named the “Controversy Collection” — which will be available for purchase through Jeffree Star Cosmetics and Morphe on Nov 1.

 

[email protected]

@Oakley_burt