The Best Way To Start Mastering Makeup For Yourself

     During my training to become licensed as a Cosmetologist, I took classes in basic makeup application as well as creative makeup artistry. I've also learned from pros (both formally trained and self-taught) outside of my initial cosmetology training. I say this not to suggest that I'm in any way a pro myself, but to give a background to my opinion that one of the best ways to learn to do makeup (on yourself that is) is to seriously play around with it. Find a space with lots of natural light, a good mirror, and take as long as you can to try everything out that you can.

     If you think about it, lots of things work this way. I've even heard that as a child, Jim Carrey would spend hours in front of the mirror contorting his face and trying out all kinds of humorous gestures - prompting his mom to threaten that his face would stick that way. Just as you can learn the basics of beauty in a classroom and how to create an esthetically pleasing visage with makeup - you can also discover it for yourself with practice. It's my opinion that pretty much all of us know when we look good - and when we don't. We've all been tagged in unflattering photos, and learned how to take flawless selfies haven't we? To a certain extent this all comes naturally.

     So this is my advice: experiment! You can find what works for you. Now, all of this isn't to say that you can learn absolutely everything by yourself, or that you can properly learn to make anyone else looks fabulous without some training. Doing other people's makeup especially requires that you have knowledge of things like facial structure, color theory and a good foundation of product knowledge. Becoming a true makeup artists takes time, experience and training. I'm still working on my makeup skills, and would hardly consider myself an expert. Having said that, I would like to share some insights that I've gleaned thus far in regard to doing your own makeup and discovering it for yourself:


- First of all, we all pretty much know what our assets are and where we fall short. I have big blue eyes that I love, but chubby cheeks, weight around my chin, and teeny tiny lips. So I play up my eyes! I spent a lot of time playing around with my eye makeup in the beginning, and tried to focus on that. Maybe you have fantastic cheek bones, or luscious lips. Work with what you've got!

- Name your colors. Do you have a warm, neutral or cool skin tone? (Warm skin tones show yellow, neutral would be what we call an "olive" complexion, and cool skin has a lot of red/pink in it) Knowing this will point you toward your best colors. I have a very cool skin tone, so I shy away from orangy colors, yellows and warm reds. I also looks fabulous in pink and cool purples.

- Remember that makeup washes off, and don't be afraid to try all kinds of crazy looks. It's all trial and error.

- Watching youtube videos is very helpful, but maybe try putting a spin on looks that you learn - and make up your own!

- There are rules, but not so many that this isn't essentially a wide open art form. Avant garde looks are just as fun as making someone look classically beautiful.

- Like I said above, this is ART - have fun with it, and don't be afraid or intimidated by the process!