BY RACHEL TORRES
From an industry professional herself.
I have been a professional hair and makeup artist since 2015. Many clients book me for the no-makeup makeup look — a timeless makeup look that makes everyone look effortlessly fresh and radiate their natural beauty.
I have worked with so many clients throughout the years, hence having have worked with a large variety of facial features and preferences when working with makeup. From these experiences, I’ll break down the common misconceptions clients have about getting makeup done by a makeup artist when trying to achieve this look.
*Rachel gave a talk on makeup tips for performers, 2019.
1. It Doesn’t Involve Makeup
Why would someone book a hair and makeup artist if they think there isn’t makeup involved? Honestly, it does sound confusing. I’ve had clients want the no-makeup look, thinking it is equal to barely any makeup on at all.
They reject certain products such as foundation, blush, or even eyeshadow. I found that this may be from the bad reputation makeup had years before, for looking cakey and too dark.
Only recently has the technology of makeup found its way to adjust to the different skin types and weather conditions of people from all over the world, in order to achieve the look that they want.
The No-Makeup Makeup Look is an end look, not the process.
2. There’s Only One Formula and One System
As an artist, it’s best to change the approach depending on the intention of the client. The basics and fundamentals are there, but there are certain features that we as artists should adjust to depending on the reason for getting their makeup done.
For example, it could be for photoshoots with natural light or less artificial light: that allows me to work with dewy products to look moisturized and fresh. Or I could even play with some shimmer-based products so when the sun hits their face at the right angle, they look bright and luminescent.
It does not work the same way for some flash-photography shoots or when working with harsh artificial lights. The brightness of lights eats up the colors of the makeup and overexposes your face. That may require darkening the makeup to bring back the emphasis and colors to one’s face. Also, the sparkle from the glitter may not be easily controlled when it comes to working with the camera’s flash, so it may not achieve the look-peg.
3. You Can Just Copy From YouTube
So many of the most popular no-makeup makeup looks on YouTube are from American YouTubers. The products and techniques they use are not fit for our type of climate, weather, and general facial features. Since they get to experience Fall and Winter, their skin tends to get drier. Having a heavier amount of makeup would last longer on them than it would on us Filipinas.
Here, we tend to get sweaty. The humidity can also interact with the makeup. It’s best to really look into makeup that considers your skin type, skin concerns, and the environment we are usually exposed to.
4. It’s easy. Anybody can do it
I do admit that it can be easy, but just because it can be doesn’t mean it is.
It actually took me a while to really perfect this because the trick is to make makeup look as seamless as possible on someone. I have to keep this in mind while taking into consideration features that my client may want to conceal such as dark spots, acne marks, spars brows, and at the same time consider what they want to enhance such as eye shape, cheekbones, and nose size.
MUA’s have to work with many different products in order to cater to the different needs of every client they work with.
It’s getting to know different skin, and different products, and how they interact. It’s truly an art and science.
5. It’s a Cheap Service
Whether you ask for a full face of makeup with glitter and color, or no-makeup makeup looks, an artist has the right to ask for their designated fee. Again, it isn’t an easy technique to master because artists adjust the makeup look to you and the way your face and body react with makeup.
MUAs invest a lot in the products for their kit, as well as the maintenance to keep their tools clean. You are paying for the makeup used, as well as the experience, service, and artistry of your MUA.
A few tips I’ll end this with are:
Do your research.
Check in to an artist’s Instagram and see what kind of looks they do, see if that’s your style and preference of look. Do you like how they do the brows? How about their eyeshadow style? If you don’t know what you’re looking for, ask friends for referrals and their experience with the artist.
Ask questions politely, suggest gently.
As an artist even beyond makeup, there is a routine and momentum we follow to achieve the art product. Some tend to become backseat drivers and impose on how to do the job, and that can tick us off our focus and confidence. Again, makeup looks and applies differently to people, instead of judging it immediately, converse with your artist. Some examples may be, “Would it be okay if I try another shade (whether lipstick or blush) so I know how it looks?”
- If you can, bring lipstick of your choice. This helps the artist shade match from their kit to something of yours that you can bring in your bag for any touch-ups. If you do not have any lipstick, and if you’re lucky, the artist can cut off a piece of the lip product they used and they offer it in a small travel container with a cotton bud or disposable lip applicator.
- Be a client they love, too. Yes, a customer is our source of bread and butter but we also have the prerogative to choose who we work with. Be a client we would look forward to working with again so we may repay the care and hospitality. Some artists, not all, may include perks like priorities in booking schedules, and maybe even discounts. They’re not promises, but it helps.
Love makeup? Be sure to check out ZALORA’s beauty section for all of your beauty needs!