Please help! Doing makeup on someone else?

Apr 25, 2014

Katarina M.

So my mum has a fancy dinner party tomorrow night. Their theme is kind of retro pinup style. One of my mum's friends asked if I'd come over & do her hair and makeup. I was flattered she actually asked me to do it, but the problem is I don't know how to do makeup on another person. I know where my crease is & how I do my eyebrows and whatnot, but not someone else's. Do you guys have any tips on doing another person's makeup? And also, can I get photos of pinup girls please to get a good idea of how I'll do hers?

I was thinking about trying everything out on myself today to see how it looks. Then if I like it I'll do it to her as well.

Apr 25, 2014

Miss M.

My advice is have an idea in what you want to do and also be prepared for the client to have a different idea

And also remember that this persons skin might take colour different or even not suit what you wanted and also remember that she is older then you it will look different it will be a bit harder to get stuff to stay and get the right colours.

And always have a backup plan


Don't worry about not knowing what to do the technique is the same on everyone and if you have been asked to do it she is happy with what you normally does and trust you


So maybe chat to her today about what she is wearing and what she is thinking of what she wants to do it will be a big help to you

Apr 25, 2014

Miss M.

There are many vids on YouTube on ideas and ways to do it


Just search pinup girl hair and makeup

Apr 25, 2014

Antonia S.

I'm going to give you a really long answer to this question later today when I get to school. I prefer to use an actually computer to type over my phone. I was just in your situation a few months ago and I learned a lot of helpful advice.

Apr 25, 2014

Antonia S.

Okay girly. Hereeee we go.
I have been doing my own makeup since I was 12. I can transform myself from pale faced Plain Jane to Kim Kardashian in an hour. I'm sure you too have mastered your own face. But the thing is, doing makeup on someone else is nothing like doing makeup on yourself. The first person I ever did makeup on was my mom. I figured it would be a walk in the park. Boy was I wrong. So after failing miserably, I went out on a conquest on how to give the best makeup application I could on friends, family, clients, whoever.

1.) Know who you are working with. Something that works for you may not work for other. That was the biggest mistake I made. I did my mom's makeup application exactly how I do my own. She's 42 and I'm 18. It just doesn't work. You said you are doing your mom's friend's makeup so I'm assuming she'd be around the 30's maybe 40's range? You can do a bit of research on makeup for "mature" (I wouldn't call 30/40 mature but apparently it is) skin. There's tons of threads here on BL about it.
2.) Start off small. It's a lot easier to go in and add more than it is to take away. I did my friend's makeup for her military ball and I had the idea of a super glittery lid smoked out with black. It looked great until I got to the black. I added way too much at once and it was really hard to go back in and blend it out. I winded up removing everything and starting over. It was really embarrassing but it was a huge learning experience for me.
In March, there was a really big event in my city. I spent the day assisting at a salon with their lead makeup artist who had clients back to back all day long. I learned a lot of little tips I'll share with you.
-Straight edges are your best friend. She used tape on all of her clients to get a really clean eyeliner and shadow edge. I think this would be really helpful for you to use since you are doing a pin up look, which has a really strong cat eye.
-Don't be afraid to use your hands! I was always afraid of touching my clients faces with my actual hands. It's totally fine to use your hands to do things such as adjust false lashes or hold an eye taught (but not too tight!) Just keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer at your work station and apply in it front of each client. It will make them much more comfortable with you touching their faces!
-Ask what they are wearing! It will help a lot with makeup application. For example when everyone thinks pin up we think cat eye and red lip but I personally don't think a red lip suits every outfit.

Apr 25, 2014

Katarina M.

Thank you so much to everyone!

Apr 25, 2014

Katarina M.

Aahhhh, Antonia thank youuuu!! You're so helpful, your tips & advice will definitely be put to use! :)