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What was the first makeup technique you felt you mastered?

I don’t know that I feel like I’ve genuinely mastered any technique, but I remember feeling like I had a good color sense of what eyes to pair with what cheeks/lips. I don’t think I’m as good now, because my sense of color is more warped – as in I am so used to seeing things that are completely mismatched that it is harder to voluntarily pair things TO match, if that makes sense!

— Christine

39 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

IDK, I don’t seem to feel like I’ve mastered anything, I keep learning and trying different things. I have oily fussy lids , cheeks that eat blush, and my skin changes, and every product is different, so I have to test different products/techniques/brushes/primers/powders to see what works best. I know certain formulas work better than others on me (ie UD shadows, Colour Pop products) but even then, there are differences in performance among shades.

Nancy T Avatar

Christine, your response has my cracking up! I can ONLY imagine how warped mine would be by now, too, if I was almost daily doing one eye in one combo and the other in something completely different, and one cheek pink, and the other orange!!! It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it for all us makeup junkies out here! And that Someone is you! LoL

I guess I still have a *little* bit of Propofol left in my system from earlier today! Yep, it’s an ulcer.

Let’s see, for my first mastered feat, I would have to say eyeshadow? Especially due to my cousin Debbie showing me how to wear it on our mutually hooded lids!

Cat Avatar

Oh, no! Sorry to hear that. Well, at least now you know what you’re dealing with and, for me, that’s a relief in itself. It’s the not-knowing that makes me crazy. Actually, I’m pretty crazy even when I do know things… 😉

And… isn’t Propofol great? LOL For about thirty minutes after a procedure, I’m completely pain-free and on cloud nine!

Nancy T Avatar

Thanks Cat! I definitely feel what you’re saying, better to know than not, but then the knowing can throw one into a tailspin! ?

Know I understand how MJ got “addicted”! It usually leaves my system within a few hours, but yesterday, it lingered all day. Received it at around 2:30-2:45 ish, was still feeling goofy and silly at bedtime!

Cat Avatar

Yes, that’s true… sometimes knowing is terrifying. However, I like to name the “beast” so I can learn how to fight it. With ulcers, haven’t scientists discovered that many are bacteria-based and best fought with a particular antibiotic? (I just looked up some info… because I can’t stop myself! http://www.everydayhealth.com/ulcer/antibiotics-in-ulcer-treatment.aspx) I hope you quickly figure out the best way for your body to heal so you can get some relief.

I was thinking the same thing about MJ after my first experience with Propofol! It was the first time in years that I had absolutely no pain or discomfort in my entire body. I never wanted it to stop! My daughter and her fiance took me to one of my procedures, and all I remember about the ride home was her playing “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea because she thinks it’s hysterical that I know all the lyrics and rap along with the song!

Momo Avatar

I will say lipstick.

My eyeshadow, foundation, and contouring application skills are strong, but not fully mastered. This may be due to the fact that I haven’t been wearing as much makeup (as of this year), so my practice has dropped slightly. On the other hand, lipstick, or any lip product in general, application has always been my strongest makeup skill. Even with the decline of my makeup use, my lipstick game is always on point.

Pearl Avatar

Using an angled brush to line my upper lash line with gel liner – I don’t do a flick or cat eye, but I do a line that gets thicker as it gets to the outer edge and ends up making a sort of upturned wedge. It’s understated and not obvious unless I close my eyes but it adds a lot to my eye looks.

And also blending – it feels like I’m having to spend a lot less time blending, and the gradient of color and my crease work seems to come together a lot quicker, though that might be because I’m using different brushes lately.

Trish Avatar

I was so surprised the first time I put 4 different eyeshadows on my eyes and it actually looked good! It was a purple-silver look using Tease, Pistol, and Verve from Naked2 palette, and MAC Beautiful Iris. I was so happy with the look that I actually called my husband over to check it out (though I don’t think he cared as much as I did :)) I had been watching tons of makeup tutorials on YouTube, and this was the first time I felt like it all came together. I’m no master, but I have a better understanding of what colors and tones complement each other and my complexion, so I haven’t done a bad look in a while.

Ray Avatar

Lining only the outer half of the lower lid and then smudging it a bit. Definition up top is covered by mascara. It’s minimal enough for daytime and also easy to amp up for nights out.

Lacey Avatar

Lipstick application! Back in the late 80s/early 90s (I’m dating myself here), my mom’s friend would baby-sit me on her days off. She had a love of the super bright orange, coral, and pink lipsticks of the day, and she’d always let me play with her stuff. Learning to put on nearly neon lipstick without getting out of the lines (and straight from the bullet) was quite the feat.

Side note-I don’t remember what brand she liked, but it always had sort of a minty smell, and I think it was a department store brand. Any other oldies like me remember have any ideas? 😉

xamyx Avatar

Winged liner! I have a more “unique” eye shape, in that my upper lid is noticeably longer than my lower lid, although my eyes aren’t “down-turned”. I also have a prominent brow ridge, but my eyes aren’t hooded. Figuring the appropriate angle & best formulas/tools took *alot* of trial & (even more) error, but after a year or so, I got it down.

Contouring was the next one, and although it was an easy one for me (my natural bone structure lends itself easily to the concept), I’m *constantly* trying new shades/formulas/products. I also like to “tweak” more common techniques to best fit what works better for me. It’s something I’ve been doing for over 25 years, but the fact the mainstream market has finally caught up has been so exciting! I have sooo many new things to play with, LOL!

slick Avatar

By 8th grade, I had mastered the lower lash only ‘racoon eye’ look! Ha! But I think the first technique I really mastered for reals was applying eyeshadow in a way that was best suited for my eye shape.

JESSIKA Avatar

I’d have to say blending eye shadow. Before my makeup game was weak but its SUPER STRONG now. LOL. Before I would just throw eye shadow on my eyes and call it a day. I still don’t understand how I received all of those compliments, all I have to say is transition colors are a makeup addicts best friends! I wish I could say putting on false eyelashes, but I’m still working on that. 🙁

RJ Avatar

I think “master” is probably a reach for me as I’m only about a year and a half into my full makeup revolution lol, but I’ve always had an eye for color, so once I started using 4+ shades of eyeshadow at a time the ability to make a coherent, interesting eye look came to me pretty quickly. Pairing the right cheek and lip color back to that immediately followed.

Cat Avatar

As soon as I feel like I’m getting close to mastering something, my skin changes! Ugh! But I have been applying eyeshadows like a boss! (As my oldest would say!) I even used the tape method this past weekend to achieve that sharp line and I loved how well it worked.

alie Avatar

first technique? hiding my “real” makeup at school or in my bag and leaving the house in “parentally approved” makeup, then changing it while on the bus or in school.

first application technique – flawless liquid cateye liner. been rocking it since 1994. if i was on “survivor” and medication didnt count as a luxury item, (i dont think it does, BUT) – my luxury item i could bring with me would be liquid liner, hands down. (esp since you can smudge it out and use as shadow too, or brow filler if you have dark dark brows, or lipstick if you’re feeling a little goth..)

another technique i’ve mastered? i can tell you most any brand (brands in the usa since im from there), shade, and sometimes ID number of any product on sight. (with very few exceptions). that’s a cool party trick.

ouineque Avatar

Putting on eyeliner! I started practicing when I was 16. And I felt really proud when my elder and very pretty cousin said she wasn’t able to do eyeliner. Hihihi.

Anne Avatar

I’m not 100% at anything, because I’m still reasonably new to makeup, but I’m quite good at just blending things, be it foundation, concealer, shadows, etc. I’m pretty good at just looking very natural when I do my makeup as a result.

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