HipLatina
Photo: Unsplash/@salva_alt
News and Entertainment

These Artistic Interpretations of Dia de los Muertos are Everything


Dia de los Muertos is a time to honor and celebrate our loved ones who have passed. The beautiful festivities come alive each October and November, with brilliant colors, ornate patterns, and intricate artwork. You will see tons of vibrantly-colored flowers; sweet sugar skulls; and several Calavera Catrinas, the female skeleton of Dia de los Muertos, based on a zinc etching by Jose Guadalupe Posada.

These Catrinas will have on the most glorious headdresses, and stunning makeup. Everything you see will be an artistic and cultural homage to the Aztec and Maya, and a love letter to Mexico, and beyond. It’s all a beautiful way to show love for family, friends, and heroes on the other side. The following people showed off their artistic creativity, and fueled our Latinx pride, with their own interpretations of Dia de los Muertos.

The Headdresses of All Headdresses by Paulina

You have probably seen endless interpretations of Day of the Dead headdresses, but these are absolutely show stopping. Created by Paulina, they are huge, bold, and exaggerated, and take everything associated with Dia de los Muertos headdresses to another level.

Glow in the Dark Day of the Dead Nails via Color Street


Day of the Dead nails are so cute, and a fun way to rep for the culture. These nail polish strips by Color Street save you time by already coming with great artwork, and an easy application method. Added bonus? They also glow in the dark!

Day of the Dead Tattoo by Richard Stokes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpFlY8rFUjy/?tagged=diadelosmuertostattoo

Tattoos take the things you love and cherish the most, and make them a permanent part of your body, something you carry with you always. This Day of the Dead tat by Richard Stokes is gorgeous, and so lifelike, that she looks like she might walk right off this person’s skin.

Open Locket Open Love Aretes by Viva Las Calaveras

The concept of these Viva Las Calaveras earrings is so cool. Not only are they festooned with pretty flowers, but they hold photos of your loved ones, making them perfect for Dia de los Muertos.

Catrina Cake by Carla Puig

This. Is. A. Cake. Unbelievable, but true. This stunning Catrina cake was part of a class led by cake designer Carla Puig.

La Calavera Catrina Sketch by Jennifer Jean Rodriguez

Can you believe this started as a practice sketch? The lifelike La Calavera Catrina artwork by Jennifer Jean Rodriguez shows so much vibrancy, emotion, and cultural pride.

Nopalera Goddess Headdress and Makeup by RAGGEDYTIFF (Jessica Resendiz)

View this post on Instagram

✨🌵Nopalera Goddess 🌵✨ In honor and tribute to my Abuelita . She passed away this March peacefully. Her and I were very close .Every summer or for semana santa ( Easter break) we will spend it with her in Qro,México . I learned how to make homemade tortillas ( corn and flour ) because of her . I learned about washing clothes in the river because of her . I learned about Staying humble and embracing the little things in life because of her . I learned to never be ashamed of where I came from because of her . I leaned to love ME because of her ♥️. The Headpiece I designed is a representation of the love of #nopales both my Abuelita and I have . The White roses/peonies are a touch of her pure personality . The Sedum Morganianum aka ( burros tail ) plants on the Side of my ears are the plants my Abuelita planted around her house . These plants represent childhood and memories 🌿. She loved these burro tail plants , so I wanted to incorporate it to my Headpiece . Makeup / Foil wrap dress / Headpiece by yours truly : @raggedytiff Photo by my husband @carlos_ponce_ #diadelosmuertos #raggedytiff #arribalasmujeres #thisismybeautifulculture

A post shared by RAGGEDYTIFF – JESSICA RESENDÍZ (@raggedytiff) on


This headdress and makeup by Jessica Resendiz of RAGGEDYTIFF is stunningly beautiful for two reasons. One, the stark white flowers, with pops of green nopales and burros tail, is just as striking as the very colorful interpretations we have seen. It’s glorious, pure, and just seems to glow. The other reason is that this is a painstakingly precise, deliberate, and loving tribute to Jessica’s abuelita, who passed away this March (que en paz descanse).

“Til Death Do Us Part” Portrait by Mars Sandoval and Antonio Pelayo Productions

If you are going to do something creative, give it your all. Don’t half-ass it; if you can go the extra mile, and add those details you think no one will notice, it will make it that much better. The makeup, wardrobe, and overall look of “Til Death Do Us Part,” taken by Mars Sandoval for Antonio Pelayo Productions/El Velorio, shows the result of this line of thinking.

Sally’s Sweets Day of the Dead Cookies

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpaBw7chQ8G/?taken-by=sallys_sweetstx

You know we had to include the sugar skull cookies—they’re so cute and show off great detail. These ones by Sally’s Sweets in Houston are so perfect, it’s almost criminal to eat them.