La Catrina inspires makeup guides and LEGO set, celebrating Mexican heritage

La Catrina, the iconic skull figure created by illustrator José Guadalupe Posada and later popularized by Diego Rivera, has become the emblem of Mexico's Día de Muertos festivities. A step‑by‑step makeup guide advises beginners to avoid cheap Halloween paints and instead use a water‑based foundation, long‑lasting gel liner, high‑pigment eye shadow, and adhesive gems to achieve a clean, lasting look.

In a personal essay, LEGO fan Dulce Gomez from near Guadalajara describes the LEGO Ideas 21372 La Catrina set, noting details such as cempasúchil flowers and monarch butterflies that echo the traditional symbolism. Gomez says the model proudly showcases Mexican identity and hopes it will encourage worldwide appreciation of the cultural story behind the figure.