Get a Makeup Lesson

“My Makeup Artist and I chatted a little about what I was aiming for (natural look, color matching, advice on blush placement, eyeliner, nothing heavy at all) then she started by removing any existing makeup I had (which I didn't have any on, but she did it anyway lol) then applying a primer/moisturizer base. First she color-matched me using the app. Then roughly in order we went through: * eyebrow shaping * concealer placement (under/over eyebrow, lifting up at edges of eye, side of nose) * eyeliner which we smudged out * cream blush (which I'd never used) * we tried 2 skin tints in 2 different shades each and agreed on which one was the best (Fenty Eaze) then applied that * bronzer * more blush * setting powder * mascara * setting spray. For each section she would apply on one side of my face then have me replicate it on the other side. For each of those steps she would show me how to angle the brush, whether to pat the product in or swipe it, where to blend, and so on. There was a notecard with sections and an illustration of a face to take notes on.”

“I brought my usual makeup bag as asked. Once I sat down, the artist asked whether I knew my personal color from a pro session or experience. I thought I was summer cool but after draping several color palette sheets she thought I was spring warm. To be honest this was done under artificial lighting and I still disagree with the spring warm assessment, but I agreed to have her do half of my face in that color palette to see if she's right. [...] For each step, she explained what each product is used for. For example the powdering is important for reducing the appearance of pores as much as making the foundation last. She also showed me brush/tool is appropriate for each step. Most of the information is specific to my face but I usually have a lot of trouble doing heavy eye makeup and the most important thing I learned is that I am allowed to really exaggerate the real estate around my eyes. I've never drawn this much eyeliner by myself. After the right half was done, I was asked to do the left half myself using the same products. During this step she was able to pinpoint what I was doing wrong, like holding the brush incorrectly or not anchoring my hand while applying eyeshadow.”

“The MUA was very chill, relaxed and lowkey. She didn't make me feel like a bozo for not knowing how to do a full beat or anything (not that I would have cared if she did, cause who cares), and she definitely knew what she was doing. [...] It wasn't a full face look so there's no point in posting pics -- I just looked like myself but with a more even skin tone, eyeliner that actually stays put, and blush that is on the correct part of my cheeks for once.”