“Red light, pepper light, yellow light, blue... dem pepper spray Desmond eye.” That’s the madcap remix driving social media absolute bonkers this week! But while thousands of TikTokers are busy miming along to the bonkers beat, one clever makeup lover has turned the viral madness into a proper work of art. While many social media users have been laughing along with the viral remix, 32-year-old makeup artist Tashneek Jusino saw something else — an opportunity to transform a trending moment into art. With a brush, body paint and makeup, Jusino brought the now-famous phrase to life on her own skin, creating a colourful tribute that quickly caught the attention of thousands online. The idea, she said, came unexpectedly. “It just popped in my head and I said it would be funny if I just draw. I don’t know it just popped in my head and I did it. For some reason it took me only four [hours], that’s quick,” Jusino explained. The artwork was inspired by the remix which traces back to a woman’s viral reaction during an incident involving West Kingston Member of Parliament and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie. He was sprayed with pepper spray by a Jamaica Constabulary Force officer on July 15, during a police operation in downtown Kingston. The woman’s now-famous words, “Dem pepper spray Desmond eye,” were later blended with a dancehall remix by Future Fambo, following the online attention surrounding Trinidadian artiste Medz Boss’ song Just Do It. While the sound continued to dominate social media feeds, Jusino decided to give it her own creative spin. “I drew a cartoon version of Fambo and a cartoon version of the girl saying ‘Dem pepper spray Desmond eye’ because there is a cartoon version going around. So I drew them with the speech bubble but that’s one of the three I did. I used body paint and makeup combined, so I use eye shadows for blending and I do the drawing with paint,” she told THE STAR. Jusino has built a following by turning popular trends, songs and Internet moments into detailed make-up creations. Her work has included recreating viral images, designing special effects makeup featuring realistic injuries, and transforming herself into unusual creations such as grapes and strawberries. Although she was born in Kingston and now lives in Texas, Jusino has spent more than 16 years perfecting her craft. However, her signature style of creative body art only emerged within the last two years. “I just do it every day. I am a makeup fanatic. I have over 30 eye shadow palettes and not to mention brushes and so. Listen, I see it is expensive, but I see it as an investment because it is my passion man,” she shared between giggles. For Jusino, makeup has become more than a profession — it has become part of her everyday life. Her family, who regularly witness her dramatic transformations, have also had to adjust to her evolving creativity. “They are sometimes stunned. The first time they were confused, but I do some on live. My mother and sister are always over there, but I know it came as a shock. But they are supportive,” she explained. She admitted that the biggest surprise for those around her was that her artistic ability appeared almost unexpectedly. “I can’t even draw on paper,” she laughed before adding, “It came out of nowhere. I just saw a video and bought the stuff and try and try and now I just do it on spot. I don’t have a drawing background. I just look on stuff and I am able to replicate it... with makeup.” Despite her growing talent, Jusino said she never considered herself an artist while growing up. “I hated art class back in school, never been to Edna Manley [College] or an art class and that’s the most asked question in my live daily. I feel like I am going to buy the paper and stuff and try to see if I can draw because maybe I can, but I never tried to,” she said. Her unexpected journey into makeup itself began after an injury forced her to leave behind another passion. “Back in Jamaica, I was playing netball and I was all about netball, but then I got injured in both knees and wouldn’t be able to play. So I just picked up a hobby. I remember seeing a video and just started buying the products and realised I am good at it. I was like 18 then,” she recalled. Before migrating, Jusino worked professionally in Jamaica and continues to offer makeup services. However, her ultimate ambition stretches beyond beauty, as she hopes to one day create special effects makeup for film productions.