How would you introduce someone to makeup for the first time? Where should they start?
If they didn’t use any kind of skincare regimen, I think I’d start there. Who doesn’t want better skin? As far as makeup goes, mascara makes a big difference with minimal effort.
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I wouldn’t. If someone doesn’t want to wear make-up, they don’t want to wear it– personal choice. Trying to pressure them into wearing it isn’t likely to change their mind, and seems kind of rude.
I think several of you missed the point. There is nothing in CeeBee’s question that suggests forcing someone to wear make-up. And remember, this question is being directed to Christine who is probably asked for advice constantly. Although many of you raised valid points about the inappropriateness of forcing your values or aesthetics on another person, that’s not what the question is about Sometimes a person simply doesn’t know where to begin with something and so she asks for help. There’s nothing sinister in responding.
A few months ago, I had a friend who wanted to wear a bit of make-up to her son’s wedding so she wouldn’t look washed out in the photographs. She asked for help. I first suggested a very simple skin care regime. From there I helped her select a tinted moisturizer, a neutral eye shadow, mascara, and a simple lip gloss. She could easily handle what she got and she looked lovely on the big day. I didn’t force my values on her; she asked for help.
Thanks Eileen, I appreciate your comment.
🙂
I wouldn’t. It’s up to them whether they want or don’t want to wear makeup. If they wanted advice on how to start, I’d freely give it, but trying to persuade someone to start would be intrusive.
I would find out what the person’s interests are — if any — in makeup. If they have none, then I would not push my values onto that person.
I frequently get compliments on my makeup, and I use that as a segue into what I do — emphasizing the importance of proper skin care.
If someone isn’t passionate about beauty and fashion, they’re not going to stick with actually “using” the products I would recommend, so I make sure I understand what their interests are.
I agree with previous commenters as well. If a person is not interested in makeup (to start with) even the slightest mention of ‘I think this blush would look terrific on you’, ‘you’d look fantastic wearing this lipstick!’ are going to sound offensive to that person. I know it because I’ve been there.. The interest would come up by itself and when they come up to me with questions about makeup, that’s when I’ll help them ^^
Anyway, I’d say, start with skincare first. Once you see improvement with your skin, you’ll start caring about makeup too. That’s how I start out =D
my teenage daughter just recently started wearing makeup because she wanted to – I think mostly because she wants to play with my stash (no one touches my makeup lol). she already had a skin care routine set up, so I taught her about hygiene, you know, not letting anyone touch her makeup or using someone else’s at school, how to clean her brushes, where her crease is, tricks for mascara, I mean the most basic stuff as far as application goes. she doesn’t wear crazy colors, sticks to browns/bronze shades, gloss only, no powders or foundations until her skin clears up.
Well, if they’re asking ME, it’s probably because of the sparklies–so I’d tell them how I did my eyeshadow or nail polish. XD
skincare– even people who aren’t interested in makeup should take care of their skin.
then I’d probably suggest mascara for anyone with very light lashes, concealer for anyone with lots of skin issues, and korres mango butter lipstick to everyone because it’s very subtle and softens lips as well or better than any other lipbalm.
Depends. If it was a young person, I’d probably start with the world of lipgloss. It’s fun and easy. If it was an older person, I’d find out why the sudden interest (wanting a more professional look, concealing a recent scar, newly divorced and looking to glam it up, etc.) and go from there.
I think it highly depends on the person. I’d introduce make up differently to my niece (13 yrs), a friend in college (roughly 25yrs) or a full-grown woman of 40yrs. I think I’d start with mascara and lip products, then if they are interested I’d show them how to do proper eye makeup (incl using a base!) and then blush.
I won’t however, go into skin care. This is a minefield and if they are good with what they use I won’t interfere. Well, I think I’d tell them about the importance of sun screen but that’s the extent of it.
I never introduce people into makeup if they are not already interested in makeup, if they don’t have notions in makeup, I forget it. I really love it when people connect with me on makeup and see that it’s there to enhance beauty, not to look like you’ve played dress up or something. Recently, I succeeded at making an excellent makeover, because I felt listened and also because the girl I was working on (sorry for the expression) had genuine interest and helped me put more color on the outer V, helped me to make each eye evenly made up. It was a fantastic session for the first time because I was working with a girl who didn’t want an overly made up face as some newbies may want, but she wanted something a nude look with a little twist! Also, it’s not just introducing people to makeup that counts for me. What I love is working on a different eye shape than ine, a different skin tone, maintaining a connection with the person and not just applying something. She wabts me now as her make up person and it’s all good now! Also, makeup can’t work without good skincare. So I would also encourage new people to the importance of skincare first instead of focusing only on makeup!
If they did actually have an interest in make up I would take them to a good make up store and find out what they did want the most and then show them how to use it and encurage them to find something colourful and fun. If they did actually ask me to recommend a product for them I would probably recommend something basic like skincare or liquid eyeliner, concealer or mascara depending on their looks, style and age.
if they didn’t actually want to try make up i would not recommend them to use it.
My makeup is their inspiration hahaha!!! I made someone who doesnt wear makeup at all now cant go out without them lol.
If it’s makeup (rather than skin-care)and the person has expressed an interest, I’d start with something like MAC’s Painterly for eyes (makes you look wide awake, lasts all day), either a tinted moisturizer or mineral makeup to even out skin tone, a natural blush and a lipstick like LM’s Healthy Lips. Probably Lise Watier eyeliner or GOSH’s twist up ones (no need for a sharpener) and inexpensive but good mascara – L’Oreal Voluminous.
Every time Ive introduced anyone to makeup it has been because they have asked. Most women I know that aren’t into makeup are very curious about it but get overwhelmed very quickly. So I show them the basics and they keep coming back for more lol I also get the feeling like they feel they are doing something “taboo” ! its so funny. Girls its just makeup have fun with it!!! lol
Depends…usually someone approaches me if they want to start getting into makeup. I’ll take them to clinique or something for a more natural look and we just kind of sample things there. Or if we’re going to some type of party and we’re all getting dolled up together, I say “Hey, I’ll put makeup on you!” Fun bonding experience!
Being at Aveda we get A LOT of people who have never, or rarely worn make up and want help with one regular look, and something easy but with more flair for nights out etc.
I always start with skincare. Skincare is the foundation of make up, and good skincare = less make up most of the time. Why spend time covering something up if you can eliminate it?
Then, concealer and powder (rarely ever foundation if they haven’t worn make up), and keeping everything neutral. I think it’s important to show them simple ways make up can enhance. For the more fun look I usually add either a colored liner or colored lip, depending on their preference. Keeping it simple again. I find the more extravagant your routine in this situation, the less likely they are to have any interest in it.
Sorry, that was long winded!
By your question I would assume you would be introducing someone to makeup who has an interest. In that case I would have them follow the same process I did. I am in my mid thirties, I have played with makeup off and on for years but didn’t really understand it. I have discovered blogs and you tube gurus and it has helped me a lot.
I was actually thinking of starting my blog with this question. My boyfriend actually came up with the question. I’d start with the whole skin regime aswell and then slowly introduce them to make-up from there.
If they want to learn, I would start small with lipstick, then blush, then mascara, then foundation. Then get more complicated from there. Let them ask questions and make sure to show how fun it is for me.
One of my best friends very rarely wears make up (but she is so gorgeous without it, so she doesn’t need to), but asked me to help her with some make up and I only applied some mascara (she’s blonde so that made a HUGE difference) and some gel blush, which made her look incredibly bright and awake.
It definitely depends on the person, what condition their skin is in and how comfortable they are.
I find that when you have clear skin and neat brows, that makes such a difference already.
If I know someone who is interested, I always bring them to my local MAC counter to my FAVORITE MUA. I’m well into my 20’s and went there when I initially became interested and it was hit and miss… I was also nearly traumatized once with some serious frosty eyes and lipstick. Anywho – I think it’s very important for me to convey that I understand what my friends are looking for, full-coverage, funky, neutral. Sometimes going to the counter the MUA’s will push back and say no, I think you needs some light coverage and I’m always there to step in the the best interest of the person I brought with me. I always tell them, skincare, foundation, powder, blush, mascasra. 5 things everyday that will make you look fantastic witout a lot of work and if they get interested later on in playing around, hey – I’ll be there going to the counter or CCO with them.
OK, there were some interpretations of that question that were unintended and not what I was thinking of when I posed the question to Christine for use.
I would never pressure anyone into wearing makeup if they were simply not interested. Katie is entirely correct, it is a (very valid) personal choice.
However, I have been approached several times recently by women who are aware of my passion for makeup and wanted to ask for some advice.
One is getting married in two weeks and asked if I would give her some lessons so she felt confident about doing her own makeup on her wedding day (beach ceremony at dawn) so we did a really light, fresh look with a tiny bit of glimmer on her eyes (she totally fell in love with my Benefit Creaseless Cream in RSVP and actually went and ordered her own) with a soft bronzy liner, pale pink blush and a sheer pink-nude lip.
I gave her a list of products (she asked for one) I used with some alternative (cheaper) options and she said afterwards that she got everything she wanted without feeling like she didn’t know where to start and overwhelmed by options.
If someone asks me to help, I always ask what they want to achieve (better skin, concealing blemishes, foundation matching, colour choices, etc) in a very open way, help them stick to a budget and ultimately leave the purchasing choices up to them.
If we’re talking basic products, I think tinted moisturizer or sheer foundation, concealer, soft gold eyeshadow, mascara, coral blush and a pretty pink lip gloss are are good start!
Well, depends on their age. If it was someone young…I would intro them into some lipgloss mascara and a little bit of blush. For an adult, skincare first: the the basics: foundation, powder, blush, neutral shadows, and mascara. 🙂
I don’t exactly think she meant to just blatantly introduce them to makeup out of the blue– I think she meant, if the person asked you with makeup, how would you start out, what products would you recommend, etc. Not so much of a HEY, WEAR THIS BLUSH. YOU WONT LOOK AS UGLY NOW! Ya know?
Ali, you’re exactly right, that is what I meant.
AND you made me laugh so much! 🙂
skincare first
then teach them how to do some neutral looks and some basics (like mascara, eyeliner, cleaning brushes, etc)
my my my what a field day freud would have with these responses!
Yeah skincare should never be neglected at all. Mascara’s a good idea, and if the person had absolutely no makeup whatsoever,and if they were a young person in particular, I’d tell thell them about the UD Naked palette because it has a nice range of neutral colors that they can wear in the daytime, in the evening, for school, or for work.
Tinted moisturizer is good for someone who has relatively good skin, and doesn’t really know howto apply liquid or cream foundation. If their skin could be better, I’d tell them to find a concealer to put underneath it first.
I’d tell them to find a neutral colored blush to liven up their skin in a type of color that will give the skin just enough life without being too drastic, and/or bronzer depending on the skintone of the person.
Regarding lips, I’d tell them to find one good nude or neutral lipstick and/or gloss for day for work if that’s what they’re most confident with but because lipstick is now back in style I’d encourage the person to find one great lipstick ina strong color, either a bright one or a dark one as it will just instantly complete their face and make them look ‘done’ and formal without any real effort. This is a good recommendation especially for anyone who has pretty good skin and if they have no clue about makeup, or if they hate wearing it and bothering with it all.
lipgloss if they are young, its girlie and fun without being too much. probably mascara and eyelash curlers if it was someone older, although if say my mum came to me i would have her kitted out with everything and be teaching her in no time haha
Yeah generally if a person doesn’t like makeup, Iwon’t ever bother making any suggestions to them about it; they’d have to come to me and ask me for advice about it first.
But some people should be aware that there are some environments of a certain class (?) or culture, I should say, within certain work sectors that have all the women working in there with their hair done, their nails done, and their makeup most definitely on, and if a person is going to be working in that type of environment then I’d say that wearing some makeup at least would definitely be a good idea.
Only because again in certain environments in certain work sectors, the women may look really polished, and a person may not want to stick out like a sore thumb, or have herself being passed over for say, a promotion. Who knows? Her manager in certain environments, may be looking at or thinking about how bare their face looks and how they may not seem to fit in with everybody else, and a male or female manager may think that way. Hey, maybe or maybe not.
If they work in a more polished, picky, particular, or let’s face it, even persnickety environment, then maybe a bit of makeup made for the daytime that looks polished and that isn’t too complicated, nor made for the nightclub, would be a good choice for that person. Just for their job you know? It’s like if you have to wear a uniform for work, and the uniform is blue, then well you have to wear that blue uniform for work. Hey, the world is like that sometimes. *shrugs shoulders*
I think somewhere in Bobbi Brown’s first ever makeup book, Bobbi says the same thing about makeup for work making you look polished and professional, and you may think that ‘Oh, she’s just saying that so she can sell more makeup!’ but what she says is true sometimes in certain places. *shrugs shoulders*
All of the above is why if I had a child, a daughter, I’d introduce them to makeup by the age of 15 and allow her to wear it to school especially neutral, not too aging, work/school appropriate colors of makeup. This way she can be clued up on mkakeup before she goes on job interviews and the like.
I had an experience with this not too long ago so I will draw upon that. I went out one afternoon with my roomie and she had previously mentioned that she would like to get more into makeup but she thought it too much work. We were at a mall with a Sephora in it and I took her and asked the makeup artist to give her a simple, easy day to day look that was not complicated at all. Since it was Valentines day I bought her a the items (which was a Cargo foundation and a Urban Decay shadow) and she was pleased as punch. Since then it has been a gate way for her and she’s been branching out and becomes my go to gal when we want to gab about makeup.
That being said I would never suggest makeup or anything of the sort if that person has no inclination for it. It can be interrupted the wrong way really fast.Yet if my friends tell me they are looking for something or want to get into it, I am there in a heartbeat whether they want specific makeup recs. or want to break into a certain brand.
I would first introduce a comfortable, moisturizing, sheer lipstick or tinted lip balm, such as Korres Mango Butter.
Recently my sister, who’s a stay at home mom, wanted something simple to make her feel less frumpy while at home with a newborn for most of the day. I suggested a sheer lippie, some mascara, and a neutral eyeshadow. She started incorporating them into her morning routine and looks beautiful (but then she always does 🙂 ).
I did have a friend and she never wore makeup so I got her to agree for me to do her makeup one day just for fun to see what she looked like with it on. She didn’t think she would like it so I did a simple look with light brown eyeshadow, got her to try doing mascara(she doesn’t like people going near her eyes), and picked out a simple lip gloss.
Worked like a charm. She loved it and now she wears makeup when she feels like it without worry what she will look like.
I totally agree with Christine! In my business, I start with skincare because you apply makeup to your face. Without properly caring for your skin, makeup will only go so far and sometimes it won’t stay on properly either. It’s like a painter and a canvas. The painter will want a clean canvas to start his/her work. Why would makeup be any different? So once skincare is down, then I would introduce the basics of concealer, mascara, and lip color (lipstick can be used for cheeks too! gotta love multipurpose items!). If they’re not overwhelmed at this point, I will introduce a few eyeshadows that they can easily mix & match. Eyeprimer or cream eye color if they want extra staying power and whatnot as well.
Aside from a good skincare regimen (which almost everyone already agrees on) it’s good to ask them what they like and what their interests are. I find that young teens are mostly interested in glosses and lipsticks, and occasionally eyeliners. Adults who are just getting interested in makeup are usually curious about the eyes (shadow colors, application technique, tools). I usually let them know what I personally like that I think would really look nice on them, and then I tell them all about my favorite YT makeup gurus – including this great blog!! If they have specific questions, I’ll try to introduce them to different products and brands that meet that particular interest.
the eyes being the focus of a face, i’d first teach them the magic of simple black eyeliner, black mascara and a shimmery neutral shadow on the browbone (like MAC Naked Lunch). using those 3 easy products dramatically brightens up the eyes and makes a huge difference for the entire face.