If you're like me, then you love makeup. And by love, I mean you've spent an irresponsible amount of money on eyeshadow palettes, you could spend hours in Sephora and you watch makeup tutorials on YouTube for fun. Let's be real though: nothing is more frustrating than spending half an hour trying to blend out the perfect black smoky eye, only to end up looking like a raccoon that hasn't gotten any sleep for ten years. It sucks seeing all of these beautiful makeup looks on Instagram and then not being able to achieve the same look. As someone who has spent an awful lot of time being frustrated that my makeup doesn't look perfect, here are a few things to keep in mind when you feel like burning all your blending brushes.
1. It's Their Job
Yeah, it seems obvious when you say it out loud, but on platforms like YouTube it is easy to forget that your favorite beauty guru is probably a professional. A lot of them have probably been to beauty school, and even self-taught artists have put a crazy amount of time into honing their skills. Just like everything else, makeup is about practice, and you won't create a perfect look the first time you pick up a beauty blender. Give yourself room to make mistakes and experiment, because that's the best way to learn.
2. Better Product
I'm sure you've seen plenty of makeup artists do the challenge using kid's makeup, and somehow they create a super cool look using Claire's eyeliner and a Minnie Mouse eyeshadow palette. If they can use cheap and crappy products to create such a fabulous, look, then why can't you? It is not impossible, but it is important to remember that the quality of your makeup will impact how easily you can achieve a certain look. If your eyeshadow isn't pigmented, then it is going to take a lot more effort to get a super bright color. This is not to say that cheaper items can't get the job done and done well. If drug store makeup is what works best for you, then more power to you and your wallet. It is true that cost does not always mean better quality, so definitely keep searching for dupes, but a better product will mean easier application.
3. Better Brushes
This goes along with the prior point, but also applies to knowing when to use certain kinds of brushes, or when to use your fingers. That knowledge comes along with practice. For instance, synthetic brushes are better for cream products, while real hair brushes are better for powder products. I tried using a synthetic fan brush to apply some Colourpop highlighter and thought I had just wasted six bucks. I went onto the site, and it turns out the highlighter is much more pigmented when applied with a finger, not a brush. I had a similar problem with Urban Decay's Moondust palette. You get the best color payoff using a wet brush or your fingers. Application is key, and it takes time to figure it out. (Reading instructions is helpful too!)
4. Video Editing
Depending on who you're watching or what the tutorial is for, a video can last anywhere from ten minutes to one minute. A huge mistake I used to make was to assume that I would finish my makeup in the time it took to watch the tutorial. This is wrong in almost every case. Again, it depends on who you watch, but most tutorials are sped up, and certain steps are done ahead of time. When I sit down to do a full face of makeup (foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, highlight, contour, eyeliner and false lashes) it takes at least an hour, usually more. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, so I probably take longer than needed. But the point is, I will not be able to do all of these things in ten minutes. Video editing can be deceiving, and even though it is not on purpose, it can still make us amateurs feel pretty bad.
5. Free Products
For makeup artists that have a considerable amount of followers on social media, makeup brands will send them free products to test out and review. When you have one eyeshadow palette, pencil liner and two tubes of old lipstick, you may not have all of the exact colors that the tutorial calls for. When you're just starting out, it can be hard because you rely heavily on the tutorial. It is tough to confidently substitute one shade for another. Then, if the look doesn't work out, you blame it on the lack of options you had. Makeup is EXTREMELY expensive. You can walk into Sephora with a $30 gift card and come out with one item, maybe two, depending on what you get. Makeup artists generally have access to way more supplies than you, because they get free stuff, and investing in makeup is their job.
My best suggestion has two parts, and remember that it is coming from an amateur makeup aficionado. First: practice. Yeah, I know, it isn't ground breaking advice, but trust me. Giving yourself room to experiment, mess up and just have fun is the best thing you can do to get better at makeup. Second: research before you buy. It doesn't sound fun, but it'll definitely save you money. Read reviews from people you trust. Make sure they aren't being paid to review a product. And if you have to decide between buying good brushes or good makeup, buy the brushes first. You'll find makeup you like and don't like from all different price ranges, but it won't matter that much if your method of application isn't solid. Happy makeup-ing, everybody!
