With everything going in and out of style quicker than you can blink an eye, including makeup. It can be quite confusing to make choices that are flattering to you, and still be in style.
In my very unsolicited professional opinion, rules are there for a reason. They lovingly help guide us along the way, and avoid awkwardness of seeing yourself in a picture, and thinking why didn’t anyone tell me?
If You Are Breaking The Rules, You Better Have A Darn Good Reason
I’ve done makeup for over 16 years. It started out as something to do in the girls bathroom before classes started, and then progressed into something else. Something that I was actually pretty good at, but as any makeup can attest I didn’t knock em out of the park every time. Sometimes it was stunning and other times it was quite the eyesore.
Since I was self taught mostly through books and magazines, and didn’t initially receive formal training, I did not realize that there were rules to make
up, go figure. I went absolutely crazy with the smoky eye look in the late 90′s early 2000′s, any and everyone that would sit still long enough had a pair of the smokiest eyes.
When I saw a picture of WDIV Local 4′s darling Ms. Rhonda Walker on the cover of Ambassador Magazine. I had an unpleasant flash back, ahhhh! Now I’ve seen Ms. Walker in person and I think she is absolutely stunning.
Her skin is beautiful, hair is always perfect, Ms. Walker’s makeup is impeccably flawless, and her smile is captivating. She is a natural beaute (be-yoot), as my daddy would say. I personally was not a fan of this look on her. What do you think?
A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words
If you want to know what you look like, good, bad or indifferent. Grab a camera, stand as close as possible to a natural light source and strike-a-pose. By doing this you will see what others see, and make the needed adjustments.
What’s The Big Idea?
A rule of thumb when it comes to wearing makeup is to K.IS.S. it (keep it simple Shirley). Makeup is to enhance our best features, and minimize our less than flattering ones. If this seasons trend does not tickle your fancy, and flatter the heck out of you, don’t do it.
If you still lack confindence seek professional help, when it comes to your makeup. I am partial to the freelance MUA vs. the Makeup Counter MUA, I have my reasons. With the first being I started out as a freelance MUA, and then worked briefly at the Cardeaux counter at Hudson’s Department store in Southland Mall. Second freelance MUA’s have more experience with makeup in general, and can recommend quality product vs. a counter MUA that is only versed in their counter’s makeup. Not to mention 9/10 times they are on a commission (there in lies an ulterior motive).
Sure some of the biggest names in makeup started at a counter, and yes there may be that one MUA that is very talented. Personally I’ve had more bad experiences and mis-matched colors at the hand of a counter MUA then I care to recount. This is just my opinion. I’d like to hear your experiences. Freelance vs. Counter.
If you are in the Metro D give Ms. Stephanie Ford of Designs By Ford a shout. This Ms. Missy is going places, she is humble, hard working and talented…the stuff true champions are made of.
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I started off doing makeup for my friends in high school. In college I worked for various lines such as Dior,Iman,Prescriptives and MAC (5 years). Working for various lines really helped me to be a well rounded artist. I learned most of my artistry skills from fellow co-workers at MAC. Last year I decided to leave retail when I couldn’t get days off for the cool gigs I wanted like music videos, award shows, etc. It was the BEST decision! I feel working freelance has really taken me out of the pigeon hole of a certain makeup style which I feel a lot of the artists still at the counter are “stuck”. I wouldn’t say a freelance artist is better than a counter artist..stepping out just helped me. The quality of the artist just depends where you go.
Starlynn, Thanks so much for your comment. It’s funny I tried for years to get a job w/ MAC and for one reason or another it fell through. I guess it just wasn’t in god’s plan for my life. I would have to agree that stepping out from behind the counter has been helpful in many artists careers. I didn’t say that Freelancer were better, I just prefer them over a counter MUA, and yes there will always be an exception to the rule, on both sides of the coin. I am just happy that you have found your passion…keep up the great work.