Whether it’s prom, a wedding, or just for fun, most girls will have their makeup done by someone else at least once in their lives. In case you didn’t know, most girls also don’t wear full glam makeup on a regular basis. For some, this could be the first time they see themselves in full-coverage foundation, filled in eyebrows, contour, false eyelashes, or even lipstick. As a makeup junkie, I am very used to seeing myself in a full face of makeup. Having seen countless makeup photos and videos online over the years, I am barely phased by makeup at all. After doing makeup countless times on others, however, I have noticed some distinct phases of makeup acceptance that first-time, full-face makeup wearers all go through.
1. WHERE IS MY SKIN?
If you have never worn full coverage foundation before, you can be pretty caught off guard by how crazy you look in foundation alone. Your skin is all one color, with few noticeable details and your lips blend in with the rest of your face. “Relax. I swear you will not look like a ghost when I’m finished with you.”
2. DARK EYESHADOW? NOOOOO!
One thing that often takes a long time to accept is that dark eyeshadow is not as bold or as scary as it looks. Even doing my own makeup, I don’t think I even looked at a dark brown or black pigment for over a year of experimenting with eyeshadow. Believe it or not, used carefully and blended well, dark shadows can not only be much lighter and more wearable than expected, but can even make the eyes look more natural by adding contour and definition… but try telling that to a natural girl who sees black and thinks raccoon.
3. THE CONTOUR SIGH OF RELIEF
Though contouring is often a step skipped by most light makeup-wearers, people tend to handle this change quite well. Contouring, with its popularity on social media and among celebrities, tends to be the step people are most excited about. Adding shadows, highlight, bronzer, and blush dramatically enhances facial features while bringing dimension and life back into the previously monochromatic face. So long, foundation ghost.
4. WHOSE EYEBROWS ARE THESE?
As much as “eyebrows on fleek” is all the rage and most people love bold brows, one of the most common reactions I’ve observed is eyebrow shock. Eyebrows frame the face, so it is not surprising how wildly different people think they look with editorial-esque eyebrows. It can definitely be hard to get used to new brows on yourself, especially if you have never filled in or shaped your brows before. As fleeky as they look, my guinea pigs always need a minute to recognize themselves post-brow.
5. ARE MY REAL LIPS STILL UNDER THERE?
Non-makeup-wearers tend to be pretty unfamiliar with bold lipstick. For some, certain shades and formulas are new and unexpected, but for others, anything beyond tinted lip balm and sheer gloss is uncharted territory. While many handle natural shades and comfortable formulas well, bold colors can feel fierce, but intimidating. If the lips are over lined, this new lip shape and size can also take some time to get used to. Most of all, if one opts for a matte lipstick, especially a matte liquid lipstick, the wearer will be in for a surprise as far as how the lips feel. Some people do not mind the dry feeling of matte lipstick, while others cannot handle it. Of course, it is important that the wearer is comfortable with what is put on them, but even if they approve of formula, color, and shape, they can be briefly shocked with the results.
6. WHAT ARE THESE BEAUTIFUL CATERPILLARS ON MY EYES?
If someone opts for false eye-lashes in their look and has never worn them before, they will likely have to get used to the feeling, but immediately fawn over the appearance. Long eyelashes can look so beautiful and really complete a look, but they can also feel a bit strange at first. Don’t worry, the feeling goes away very quickly.
7. NEW FACE, WHO ‘DIS?
Once the look is complete, many people will inspect themselves in the mirror for minutes as if they have never seen themselves before. The changes, even if subtle, can feel more dramatic to a first time makeup-wearer than they truly are.
8. FEELIN’ MYSELF
Once they have looked in the mirror for a solid ten minutes, the first time full-glam girl (or guy) starts to process and get comfortable with the way that they look. As soon as they stop worrying about if they are recognizable (newsflash: they are always recognizable), the “damn, who’s that baddie?” phenomenon takes its course—often followed by a selfie photoshoot.
