Escaping to a 3D alternate reality used to sound like science fiction. Today, it's our inevitable future. And while it all still feels so new — artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual simulations — video games have been priming us for this digital age for decades. Why be one person, in one place at one fixed time, when you can explore a million different versions of yourself without ever leaving your house? The possibilities a virtual alter ego can offer are limitless. No one knows this better than gamers Briana (Storymodebae) and Kelsey (Kelseydangerous).
In this world, there are some restrictions to who we can be and how we can look, but our digital selves live in a lawless land. Here, it may be out of your comfort zone to dye your hair purple or wear crystals on your eyelids, but in a virtual playground where you can role play as anyone, those hesitations can melt away. Without them, who would you be — and what would be in your makeup bag?
The
Beauty
of
Digital
Personas
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BRIANA
has been gaming since she was about five years old. Fast forward to today and she's turned her passion into a career, spending about 25 hours a week streaming or recording gaming content. She'll be the first to admit that she loves a good story (and maybe a little chaos), and that gaming transports her to different worlds with the ability to experience things the usual day-to-day just can't offer. "You can be whoever you want to be . . . and pushing outside your comfort zone to tap into new possibilities is always so inspiring to me," she says.
Since struggling with low self-esteem as a child, Briana has formulated an everyday makeup routine that highlights everything she loves about herself IRL, like her eyes, her high cheekbones, and her smile. The look is minimal, but "feels like [her]." Most days, she doesn't go without a light base, eyeliner to accentuate her eyes, a mascara (or falsies) to add oomph to the lashes she tragically cut off when she was three years old (she's "so thankful" for the Revlon So Fierce! Eyes Wide Open Mascara), a pencil to touch up her microbladed brows, and a liner and lip gloss. "There's just something about the juiciness a good lip gloss gives," she says. Her favorite: the moisturizing Super Lustrous The Gloss. Ready to play? Ahead, explore Briana’s offline and online looks.
In the "real" world, Briana's laidback style suits her, but she'd be willing to take risks in a virtual one. "I'm always second guessing if I'm really pulling a look off or if it's not really working in my favor,” she says. “I just want to see what other versions of me I can tap into.” As a "child of the internet" her virtual look would be both futuristic and nostalgic (see: a "cyber baddie" surviving Y2K), inspired by the way technology continues to advance and evolve. "Blending those two together is a part of who I am. Instead of sticking with what I know, it dares me to be different and to stand out with something new."
Click to load Briana's virtual alter ego.
Revlon ColorStay Longwear Lip Liner
Growing up, Briana wasn't allowed to wear lots of lip product, especially gloss. Now she's completely leaned into it, making a dark liner and lip gloss her go-to combo. The long-lasting formula helps prevent bleeding and feathering, so lips can look perfect hours after the first application.
Color 645_Chocolate
"Natural looks are usually my go-to, which is why I really appreciate the ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil," Briana says. "It's easy to apply and, of course, equipped with a spoolie to brush through the product."
Color 454_Medium Brown
Revlon ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil
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Toggle to see Briana's everyday look
Click to shop Briana's look.
BROW PENCIL
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LIP LINER
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wasn’t always a full-time gamer. Once upon a time, she worked as a video producer for a digital media company, and when asked what kind of videos she'd like to work on, she blurted out gaming. It had been a hobby, but she was curious to become more involved with the community. Now, she can get lost in a game — her favorite being of the simulation variety — for hours. "I love jumping into a game and relaxing into a new life," she says. "Gaming can be a way to explore parts of yourself you wouldn't have an opportunity to discover otherwise. I can make myself live a thousand different lives, try on different hair colors, makeup, clothes, and be a movie star or a politician. It's a safe space to play."
KELSEY
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It's difficult to master precise eyeliner without a precise tip,
and this high-pigment 24-hour formula can help make creating
even a complicated graphic eyeliner fit for cyberspace look easy.
The 0.1mm micro-tip glides across
skin without tugging to create sweat-proof, fade-proof lines.
Color 301_Blackout
Revlon ColorStay Micro Easy Precision Liquid Liner
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"My everyday makeup feels like my best self," she says. "I don't wear too much, but it always makes me feel glowy and confident." While concealer helps her feel fresh-faced and bright-eyed, a mascara and lipstick add a bit of a flirty vibe. Considering she's a fan of simulation games, Kelsey's virtual look would be loosely inspired by one of her YouTube challenge series in which each character is created with their own monochrome color theme. "I specifically picked my sim Amethyst because I love her bold style,” she says. “And who doesn't love purple?" She adds that the fun colors and patterns match her bubbly and bright online personality. "I don't necessarily have the skill or the desire to dress up to the level of my virtual look every day, but online you have so many endless options at your fingertips. It's so much fun to experiment and try new things."
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The no-transfer formula is perfect for a full day of gaming. Thanks to the built-in primer, this vivid matte color can last for up to eight hours.
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Color 001_Gut Instinct
Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick
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A glowy base is essential to Kelsey’s makeup routine. This foundation combines the benefits of skin care and makeup into one bottle, creating the look of smoother, naturally radiant skin.
Color 105_Cream Ivory
Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation
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Click to view Kelsey's products
LIPSTICK
FOUNDATION
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This eyeshadow palette includes four buttery shadows that you can build and blend together
to create every kind of look, be it soft and natural or bold and bright. All-night gaming session? This formula can last up to 24 hours.
Color 530_Seductive
Revlon ColorStay Day to Night Eyeshadow Quad
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Toggle to see Kelsey's virtual look
Toggle to see Kelsey's everyday look
OFFLINE
ONLINE
Click to shop Kelsey's look.
FOUNDATION
LIPSTICK
ONLINE
OFFLINE
Click to load Kelsey’s virtual alter ego.
Editor: Sam Sasso; Creative Director: Colleen Lennon;
Art Director: Meg Konigsburg; Senior Designer: Allie Pakrosnis;
3D Artist: Frazer Adams; Photographer: Oscar Ouk;
Makeup Artist: Ayami Nishimura; Hair Stylist: Niko Weddle; Nail Artist: Naomi Yasuda; Wardrobe Stylist: Hannah Lee; Producer: Hannah Lee
Click to load Kelsey’s IRL look.
Click to load Briana's IRL look.
Click to shop Briana's look.
EYELINER
Click to shop Kelsey's look.
EYESHADOW
BROW PENCIL
Tap to shop Briana's look.
JUMP TO TOP OF SECTION
EYELINER
LIP LINER
BROW PENCIL
Tap to shop Briana's look below.
OFFLINE FAVE
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It's difficult to master precise eyeliner without a precise tip, and this high-pigment 24-hour formula can help make creating even a complicated graphic eyeliner fit for cyberspace look easy. The 0.1mm micro-tip glides across skin without tugging, so those sweat-proof, fade-proof lines are clean, every time.
Color 301_Blackout
Revlon ColorStay Micro Easy Precision Liquid Liner
ONLINE FAVE
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Growing up, Briana wasn't allowed to wear lots of lip product, especially gloss. Now she's completely leaned into it, making a dark liner and lip gloss her go-to combo. The long-lasting formula helps prevent bleeding and feathering, so lips can look perfect hours after the first application.
Color 645_Chocolate
Revlon ColorStay Longwear Lip Liner
OFFLINE FAVE
SHOP NOW
"Natural looks are usually my go-to, which is why I really appreciate the ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil," Briana says. "It's easy to apply and doesn't break off as soon as you press onto the skin, and, of course, equipped with a spoolie to brush all of the product and your hairs throughout."
Color 454_Medium Brown
Revlon ColorStay Micro Brow Pencil
OFFLINE FAVE
EYELINER
LIP LINER
BROW PENCIL
Tap below to shop Briana's looks.
EYELINER
LIP LINER
BROW PENCIL
Tap to shop Briana's look below.
ONLINE
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Tap to load Briana's IRL look.
Tap to load Briana's virtual alter ego.
The wig worn by Kelsey was dyed using Revlon ColorSilk Digitones™ hair color in shade Pastel Lavender. Pro tip: this hair color works best on bleached and blond hair. Pre-lighten with Revlon Color Effects Platinum™ for the most vibrant results.