19 secrets makeup artists wish they could tell you

Makeup artists have a lot on their minds, but they may not always be able to say exactly what they’re thinking. After all, they are up close and personal to your bare skin for what could be considered a long time when you are at your most vulnerable. These makeup experts shared the tips they’re just dying for their clients to hear, without saying it to their face.

As one makeup artist bluntly stated, “This should be a given. But your alcoholic morning breath is less than desirable when I’m working near your face.”

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If you’re looking for makeup inspiration, try to find someone with your same skin tone. If you show up with a photo of Beyoncé, but you have fair skin, it’s unrealistic to think you’re going to look like her when we’re finished.

However, if you absolutely love a celebrity photo, choose the one feature from the look that speaks to you the most. You can’t have them all – so pick the eyes, cheeks, or lips, and we can use that to influence the overall look of your makeup.

Check out these tricks for naturally glowing skin (no makeup or expensive products required!).

If you want to avoid that lip liner ring that forms around your lips as your lipstick disappears, apply your lip liner after your lipstick for a more natural look that will fade evenly.

To get the biggest makeup bang for your buck, wash your face before your appointment. Unfortunately, many people show up to their session with dry, dirty skin. Makeup lies better on a freshly cleansed and moisturised face (this means take off last night’s makeup). You can get the most for your money by taking care of your skin every day.

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When you sit in my chair, there is no judgment. I spend most of my time with clients reassuring them that it’s okay for them to be who they are. I see everyone’s true beauty, and I’m not focusing on your flaws.

“Be kind to yourself. You don’t need to apologise for what you view as imperfections when you are perfect just the way you are,” says makeup artist Vanessa Valliant.

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There’s a difference between shimmer and glimmer. Shimmer adds a luminous sheen to the skin without being overwhelming to the face. Glitter, on the other hand, can be a makeup artist’s worst nightmare. It gets everywhere, and it’s not flattering unless it’s done by a professional. It also tends to not be a great look after a certain age.

When you ask for heavy, contoured makeup, are you aware it requires constant touch-ups? For the average person, a heavy contour is high maintenance and impractical. Most of your favourite celebrities using this technique travel around with a full glam squad to keep their skin powdered and blended behind the scenes. This type of makeup is often better left for the stage.

We also assist men with a variety of skin care needs. From eye cream and lip balm to a full face of makeup, we help men get ready for when they’re on-camera or in the spotlight.

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“I try to help my clients find the best version of themselves by enhancing their natural features,” Valliant says. “I want all women to accept themselves and embrace their unique, natural beauty.”

Eyebrows shape your face and look best when natural. Stop over-plucking or you won’t have any eyebrows left (yes, this really can happen).

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Please don’t draw your inspiration for eyebrows from YouTube or Instagram, which tend to show an overabundance of heavy-handedness where brow-filling is concerned. Instead, ask a professional makeup artist for a more natural approach to crafting perfect brows.

That’s disgusting. Prior to your event, if you need help caring for your skin, feel free to ask your makeup artist for suggestions about what might lessen breakouts or help conceal them. Every professional makeup artist carries a variety of skin care products with them, so they’re likely to have some ideas for you.

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“The driving force behind my makeup artistry is that I want people to feel good about themselves,” Valliant says. “I’m their ally and source of encouragement for any event they’re attending. I even have some long-term clients that I’ve worked with through their celebrations and losses of life.”

An important part of being a makeup artist involves having an open dialogue with our clients. If you don’t like something, speak up, so we can change it.

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Whether it’s a personality clash or stylistic differences, not every makeup artist is the right fit for every client’s needs. Seek out an artist that meshes with your personality and style.

Foundation is best applied only where needed and blended outward (harsh colour lines at the jawbone be gone). One of the best tools to blend your foundation is a beauty blender. Wet it and press the foundation into your skin. There might be a slight learning curve with this tool, but once you get used to it, you’ll be addicted!

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Just like with many professions, it’s easy to hang out a shingle without proper qualifications or experience. Do your homework and find a professional – real pros should have a portfolio, a client list, and a set of unedited and unfiltered images of their work.

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Source: RD.com