Tip For The Day

This is my version of “over the top” makeup

Here’s the scenario: You meet up with your friend for a day of shopping and dining. When she opens the door, you are startled and shocked by her new makeup. Her lipstick looks like she’s been playing in chalk (too pale), she has either over/under drawn her eyebrows (scary),

YIKES!

and she took contouring to the next level (did she get a nose job?). Your friend is excited that she’s learned these techniques from her favorite online tutorial (no shade to all the talented MUAs who use social media to share tips), and asks the cringe-inducing question, “How do I look?”

If your instinct is to do a wall slide to the floor, clutch your pearls, and say, “A hot mess” then stop yourself before hurting her feelings and use some tact. This has happened to one of my MUA friends before, and she’s not known for being tactful, but she couldn’t crush her friend’s feelings. The artist quickly realized that her friend had been dutifully following HER advice but hadn’t quite mastered the look she wanted to achieve. The artist acknowledged that her friend had been experimenting with color, which was great, as many people shy away from strong colors. She then suggested things to add a little “here” and take away a little “there” for their soon to be Tweeted/Instagramed “selfie.”  Once the artist finished correcting the typical newbie to makeup issues (foundation not blended enough, wrong lip color, mascara or eyeliner, etc.), she took a new picture of her friend, who was elated.

This could have gone another way and feelings could have been hurt. Many times, when we see loved ones wearing makeup that makes us pause in disbelief, those people have no idea of how they truly look. The mirror tells lies. Instead of jumping in with, “You have on too much makeup” change the wording and say, “I saw (whatever product) and think it would look fantastic on you. Have you every tried that one?”  This is a tactful way to let your person know that all the colors of the rainbow in one place (their face) might not be a good look.

Some people are stuck in their ways and don’t feel that they need to change their makeup application routine. There’s not much you can do about these folks except keep a straight face (pun intended).

My “Tip for the day” is for two sets of folks: the offenders and those who are offended. If you have been told before that your makeup is “bright” or “creative” or people just say, “wow” when they see your face, you need to tone it down. If you are friends with the person who needs a makeup intervention, let them know verbally, not through the wall slide, pearl clutching, or “Hot mess” comments! Be sweet!

Until next time,

Tiffany