You know what I hate? Overzealous make-up artists!

As most of you know, I am a freelance make-up artist.  Primarily, I do make-up for weddings and other special events.  Though I am an "artist" and do think of make-up as my medium, when I do make-up for a bride and her attendants or for a girl going to her prom or just for a woman who wants a new daytime look, I am performing a service.  Therefore, while I could go "all out", try the newest trend, make the women look like geisha, etc., I don't.  My job at that time is to adhere to the wishes of the client.  Now, no, I won't make someone look like Boo Boo the Fool just because she thinks (God forbid!) that Proenza Pink would look good on her, even though she has a beautiful chocolate skintone and I know that she'll look like she's been eating pink-powdered donuts.  If I believe a look will be unflattering, I do suggest alternatives and many a client has thanked me for doing so.  But if, for instance, a bride says to me (like one recently did), "I don't wear make-up on a daily basis.  I'm a very minimalist girl.  On my wedding day, I don't want to look 'made up'.  I want to look fresh, pretty, natural and totally 'like myself'", then what should I do?  I should honor that request!

What irks me are make-up artists who make it their business to tell you what's right for you.  As much as I love make-up (and God knows I do), I recognize and acknowledge that not everyone in the world shares my undying passion.  It is not my job to force my love of paint on everyone.  In fact, I have found that a vast majority of women look fresher and prettier without much make-up.  I include myself in that number.  Adding too much color to one's face can look garish and add 10 to 20 years, if one is not proficient in application or just too heavy-handed.  What looks great in an editorial advertisement would look like hell-suit-for-murder if it were walking down the street toward you in broad daylight.

I get that when you go to the MAC store or when you visit a make-up counter in a department store like Nordstrom or hit your local Sephora, the MUAs or the sales staff push product on you because it affects them money-wise ... they're trying to make commission.  But that's why I chose not to work in a store or at a counter.  I don't feel right having to push product or to use only a specific product line.  I am a MAChead, no denying, but I wouldn't want to have to live without Laura Mercier or Stila or NARS or Kimora Lee Simmons (the make-up, not the woman ... shudder) or BECCA or Bare Escentuals or L'Oreal or Revlon or mark or  ... you get the point.  I'm still reeling at my friend who left a MAC store with $500 worth of products, brushes and a small traincase ... on a daily basis, this woman only wears tinted lip balm and a bit of gel blush!  Why in the world would she ever need $500 worth of stuff, let alone something to keep it in???  Yes, the 12 shades of eye make-up she was wearing looked beautiful ... that's because they were applied by a professional in a store lighted like a runway!  She would never be able to recreate that look and she'd have to hit the streets in it ... she'd look like a French hooker at best if she tried that mess!  I made her return it all, posthaste.  WTH???

Y'all.  Don't fall for the hype.  Before you go to the counter or the store, know what you're looking for.  If what you need is an everyday look, suitable for office and weekend, say so.  And stick to your guns.  Don't allow yourself to be talked into all manner of primers, serums, brushes, applicators, sealants and whatnot when you know you don't need them.  Please don't make me have to walk up to you on the street and ask you if you've been the victim of assault with a deadly blush brush.

Comments

[Tonyette]

And THIS is why I asked YOU to do my makeup on my wedding day...whenever it is...because you are the most passive makeup artist I know!! I respect and appreciate it and more importantly, you look SO MUCH PRETTIER because of it!! I remember being made up in Security Mall with my mother one time and I ended up in so much purple madness that I felt RIDICULOUS shopping after being made up! I looked pretty but I didn't even feel likeI could recreate what she did! Ugh...it was a horrible feeling and me made wanna buy NOTHING!

[Allie]

Amen! I was a sucker once at the Trish counter... left with so much they gave me a free bottle of perfume they felt so guilty. The only think I felt was worth it were about three brushes, and I never felt that I could return the metallic purple shadow or the sparkly gold highlighter...

[Julia]

Absolutely wonderful. This is so true. So many women are afraid of a makeup counter. This is great.

[Kim]

I think this is brilliant :) You are awesome and realistic about your job.

On the other hand, $500 of MAC makeup that gets tossed in the trash because of a return X_X Those MA's must hate you.

[Toya]

Really? The make-up gets thrown away even if it wasn't used? That sucks!

[Henna]

I ALWAYS say this to anyone when I know that they're going to go out to get more makeup. It's nice to hear a makeup artist say those same words. Lets hope that people listen. You need to know what you want so that you don't just buy everything they put in front of you. At worst, walk around and think about whether you actually need it and go back if you decide that you can't live without a certain product. At least give yourself a chance to think it through.

[TheMakeupGirl]

So true, walk in there prepared because they will get you trust. Great post Toya!!

[Claire]

For what it's worth, consultants at Sephora don't work on commission. In my store, at least, this translates to a much lower pressure environment. Also, makeup consultations are free, with no product purchase requirement. While it is frustrating if a client purchases nothing after a consultation, that's their prerogative and it doesn't matter much to me since there is no commission. I'd much rather have clients buying what they're actually going to use rather than take that $$ return. I avoid dept. stores like the plague because of how pushy salespeople can be - it's a total shopping turn-off to me.

[Toya]

Thank you for that clarification, Claire!

I really enjoy Sephora - it is heaven on earth! I have to say, though, I've found some pushy salespeople there, too, as well as some who seem to be offended when I say that I don't need any help. Well, I don't! I'm a professional make-up artist and a make-up junkie and I'm pretty well-versed on beauty products. If I need help, I'll ask - but I usually don't need any. I want the freedom to peruse the aisles and try out the products without hassle.

[lynda]

this is exactly how I work and it's so nice to finally hear another make-up artist with the same view towards customer service, Bravo!