There are certain crossword clues that just sparkle, aren’t there? They stand out from the sea of straightforward definitions, demanding a second, third, or even fourth look. They’re the ones that make you furrow your brow, tap your pen thoughtfully against the grid, and then, suddenly, everything clicks into place with a satisfying “aha!” That moment of revelation is precisely what we chase as dedicated crossword enthusiasts, and today’s featured crossword clue, “
Makeup artist?“,
is a masterclass in this very art.
This particular crossword clue perfectly encapsulates the joy and occasional agony of a really clever puzzle. It’s not just about recalling definitions; it’s about shifting your entire perspective. When you first encounter “Makeup artist?”, your brain immediately jumps to cosmetics, brushes, foundations, and the glamorous world of beauty. And that’s exactly what the puzzle setter wants you to do! It’s a brilliant misdirection, a perfectly laid linguistic trap that invites you to think conventionally before yanking the rug out from under your assumptions.
The asterisk preceding “Makeup artist?” is your first major hint – a signal that the usual interpretation is likely not the one you’re seeking. In the realm of the crossword clue, an asterisk often denotes a playful reinterpretation, a literal reading of a common phrase, or a clever pun. It’s the puzzle setter’s wink, inviting you to engage in a bit of mental acrobatics.
So, how do we approach a crossword clue like this? It requires us to dissect the phrase, to strip away its everyday meaning and look at the individual words afresh. What does “makeup”
really
mean, beyond the realm of cosmetics? And what does it mean to be an “artist” in a broader, less conventional sense? The magic of this crossword clue lies in its ability to force us to reconsider these fundamental components.
Think about the various ways “makeup” can be used. It can refer to the arrangement of parts, the composition of something, or even, more figuratively, something that is invented or fabricated. And an “artist”? An artist is someone skilled in their craft, someone who creates with finesse and flair. Combine these reimagined definitions, and a whole new landscape opens up for this crossword clue.
The genius of this crossword clue is that it makes you work for it. It doesn’t hand over the answer on a silver platter. Instead, it guides you down a winding path, challenging you to shed your preconceived notions and embrace the unexpected. It’s a classic example of how a brilliant crossword clue can transform a seemingly simple phrase into a profound mental exercise.
This is the kind of crossword clue that makes the daily puzzle a truly rewarding experience. It’s not about speed; it’s about savoring the journey, the intellectual dance between solver and setter. It’s about that moment when the disparate pieces of the reinterpreted phrase suddenly coalesce, revealing an answer that, once seen, feels utterly inevitable and brilliantly simple.
So, take a moment. Reread the crossword clue: “
Makeup artist?“.
Let go of the cosmetic connotations. Think literally, think metaphorically, think laterally. What kind of person might truly be an “artist” of “makeup” when viewed through a different lens? The answer, when it comes, is a testament to the boundless creativity embedded within the English language and the clever minds that craft these delightful challenges. It’s a perfect illustration of why we keep coming back to the crossword clue day after day.
Available Answers:
IMPROVCOMIC.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Job Change By Robert S. Gard