Make-up

Filed under: Grooming

I love make up. I think it’s a very underrated art form, because that’s what it is. An art form. Applying make-up beautifully takes skill and practice, which is what a lot of people (read - men) don’t understand. The fact that millions of women get up every day and transform themselves is a small effort that goes completely unappreciated I think.

Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against no make-up; it just doesn’t look very nice when I do it. It used to, before I hit my twenties, then my skin decided it wasn’t going to play nice anymore. Now I have dry, sensitive skin with a little acne rosacea thrown in just to piss me off; which when I think about it shouldn’t even happen because I have Asian type skin. I mean aren’t we suppose to be oily and yellow?! So why am I yellow, dry, pimple-ly and flushed!? I’m guessing it has something to do with the fact that I’m mixed race.

Anyway like I was saying, I have nothing against it. So long as you look nice when you do it. This means near perfect skin, which is in god like condition people and nothing less.

”But who the hell has skin like that?!”

Not a lot of people. hence why not a lot of people suite the “no make-up” look. Oh and don’t give me that “I’m a natural beauty shit”. Because unless you have the dewy, healthy, smooth complexion of a Aphrodite then, you have no right to turn your nose up at concealer.

Now before the fucking hippies start sending me whinge mail, I should say that I don’t recommend painting your face with layers of make-up either: it’s all about the right tools and just taking general care of yourself. Natural beauty or not - I believe that cosmetics should be a beauty enhancer NOT a disguise. People, who plaster themselves with heavy make-up, because they don’t like how they look naturally, are just hiding a deep-rooted insecurity and I truly believe that.

As for the rest of us, there is nothing wrong about using products to give you a boost. We all need a little help sometimes: modern life plays havoc on your skin and your looks, and although we try hard to look after ourselves sometimes it’s not enough.

I remember when I used to work at a Chanel make-up counter and I was giving this gorgeous woman a makeover. She had lovely smooth skin, with hardly any lines and she just sort of glowed naturally. She only came in to get an eyebrow pencil. When I asked her if she used foundation her reply was “I don’t think I need it. Besides I don’t use it because I’m not very good with makeup”.

Now although she didn’t need it (who really needs anything?), I was determined to show her what a difference a tiny bit of naturally applied make up could do. Even if she didn’t buy anything I really didn’t care: I wanted to make a point that make-up is NOT your enemy. So in order to have her see the difference, I initially only made up half of her face. She was shocked and so pleased by the results that in the end (after I did both halves) she brought a primer, foundation, concealer (face and eye), bronzer, blusher, eyebrow pencil and a lip gloss.

Believe me she looked pretty before, but after her makeover she looked stunning. Heck I was jealous and I applied it on her!

Anyway the point I’m trying to make is that make-up isn’t evil war paint. You can apply it as natural (although I should say that this is harder than the latter) or as dramatic as you like. As long as it compliments you, is appropriate and your foundation is an accurate colour. If you want to get better at applying it then get the right tools and practice, otherwise book a session with a make-up counter that you like. I know some of the counter girls may look scary but trust me; they’re there to help you.

P.S. When you get good at applying make-up “naturally”, a lot of men can’t even tell your fucking wearing any! Result!