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Find a great makeup artist to learn from
By Meg | August 9, 2007
Today, for a little pick me up I headed over to the makeup counter where my friend Brett works for a little makeover (the results of which you can view below). Not only do I leave feeling absolutely glamorous, but I also learn a lot from him as he does my makeup or the makeup of other customers. My makeup and skin care routine has changed significantly since meeting him last December. Before him, skincare meant washing my face with my body wash and my makeup, when I did it, was pretty unexciting at best and sometimes just a caked on mess.
However, little by little, I’ve been picking up tips and techniques - so much that people close to me have definitely noticed the difference. Sure, you can learn a lot from books or blogs, but seeing it done in person is a lot more helpful. That’s why, I highly recommend going to makeup counters and taking the time to really watch the makeup artists and ask questions.
Now, I know not every makeup salesperson is a makeup artist like Brett. I know because I had gone to a couple places before - which is how I came by the caked on mess to begin with. That’s why it is important to visit multiple makeup counters until you find someone that really knows what they are doing. How do you know when you’ve found a good makeup artist?
- First off, ask around - especially if you have friends with great makeup. They might have a recommendation.
- If you are browsing the mall and see someone getting a makeover and you love the work, that’s an easy sign.
- If their own makeup is great, that’s another sign - especially if they have similar coloring to your own.
- If you find someone that always seems booked, that’s a good sign, too. Ask them and their current customer if you can stick around and watch them work until they are free to work on you.
- Also, if you are getting matched for foundation, a good makeup artist should take you out into the sun to make sure that the color works in natural light. This isn’t always possible, but if there is an exit to the outdoors nearby and the sun is out, take a mirror out and check your makeup before buying foundation. If it isn’t possible, make sure that you can get your money back if it doesn’t work out.
- Do they have suggestions for you but also ask you what you are looking for? It’s important that they do. One lady I went to had absolutely no suggestions whatsoever. She just wanted me to point to whichever eye shadow I wanted to try. Another lady I saw had her own idea of what my makeup should look like and the result was way too old a look for me (let’s just say, the lady herself could have been my grandmother).
- In addition to making suggestions, it’s also important for the makeup artist to tell you what they’re doing or at least respond to your questions. Sometimes artists can get a bit caught up in what they are doing, or have a hard time putting it into words, but you’ll learn more from a makeup artist that can show you how to recreate the look on your own.
- Personally, I believe that with good makeup and a good makeup artist (not just a salesperson), the product sells itself and it’s not necessary to charge up front. It’s a different story, of course, when you do go somewhere that is selling the service first and a product second (if at all). However, at many makeup counters like the one I go to at the local mall, it’s completely free to sit and be made up. That’s why I can keep coming back to try out more combinations and learn more techniques. I’ve bought plenty of makeup as a result, making it a profitable sales technique for the company. If you are asked to pay up front before trying out the makeup, consider looking around for other options
- Finally, don’t ever let yourself feel married to your makeup artist (unless you really are). Even if you love what your makeup artist does, don’t feel bad about trying out new people and products. Everyone has their own style and you can learn a lot just by seeing how different makeup artists work.
So, here’s me after Brett did his magic (click on the photo for a close up). Unfortunately, the camera and my hallway lighting doesn’t capture the shimmer of the eye shadow quite as well as I hoped, but you can get the general idea. The look overall is somewhat natural, no bright red lips or blue eye shadow this time around. However, I believe the effect was still very glamorous. Compare this photo to the photo of me with no makeup at Posing for Photos, Part III - Positioning Your Face.
Oh, and when I came home, my husband kept repeating, “You look so gorgeous today!” He also has a wonderful way of making me glamorous (as well as very loved).
Tags: Beauty, Makeup
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