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Do you plan out your makeup looks in advance?


Do you plan out your makeup looks in advance? Always on the fly? How far in advance?

If it’s a big, big event, then I will plan maybe the day before just to collect the particular products I want (but honestly, I often go for my favorites for big events!). I usually have an idea of what products I’ll use based on what I’m testing, or what shades are left in a palette that need to be tested (whether they work together or not, haha!) for day-to-day stuff.

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April Avatar

If I saw a youtube look that I really liked or I just got a new palette and I’ve stormed up a ton of looks I want to do, I’ll plan my entire look the night before and then be excited all morning to wear it. Otherwise, if it’s a school day, I just use a goto easy neutral (by my standards) look, and if not, I take my time looking at my palettes to decide what to do.

xamyx Avatar

If I’m going to an actual event, I’ll typically go with products I know will work, particularly with “base” products. I also tend to vary things like contour/highlight/blush products on a daily basis, and try different techniques/brushes, so when it comes time to put a look together, I pretty much know what to use when I do my makeup. Also, if there’s a product I’m absolutely loving at the time (it changes frequently, LOL!), I’ll usually end up incorporating it somehow.

As for eye makeup, I usually figure it out as I go along. Again, if there’s a specific product I’m into, and it’s appropriate for the event/outfit, I’ll use it as a starting point.

My makeup & tools are pretty organized (except for the occasional item that mysteriously ends up in my daughter’s stash…), so I don’t have to worry about gathering what I need. I also keep a mental inventory of what I have, so I don’t get caught off guard if I’m out of something.

For everyday makeup, I like to be spontaneous for the most part, and usually just grab a rando palette (or my NARS eyeshadow bins), and play with different combinations. I’ve also been playing with different foundation/sunscreen combos, but I think I’ve found “the one”.

Katherine T. Avatar

If it’s a special event or client meeting, yes. On regular day, sometimes. Since I’m usually running late in the morning, I will pick my outfit the night before. So if I’m planning to wear a green shirt, I’ll pick out green eye shadows and lip colors that won’t clash. But on other days, I’ll just put on some neutral shadows/lips or just do my brows/red lips, which goes with everything.

Halle Avatar

Same! If it’s a really big event I will actually plan several days in advance, I might even do a test run to make sure it looks good, but on a day to day basis, I just slap on whatever I have time for.

Ryou Avatar

I do a bit of both, although there’s usually at least a bit of planning going (even if the plan is as vague as “go bright” or “neutrals” or “use some of these products”). When there are no planning at all I usually reach for my go-to products or forgo make-up altogether.

CatherineM Avatar

It really depends on the event. For everyday or simply going out in the evening I just go with my gut, or use my fail-safe products, maybe add a eye catching lipstick. For large events like weddings, parties or holidays I sometimes plan weeks in advance, stalking makeup artist on Youtube until I find something I like (and actually can pull off), buy something that pairs well with what I’m going to wear a.s.o.

Eileen Avatar

For an important event, I’ll plan my outfit and how I want to style it first. After I’ve done that, the makeup just seems to fall into place as a natural extension of the “look” I’m going for. Like many of your other readers, my makeup and tools are very well organized and so I never need to hunt for things in advance. For everyday makeup, I just go with whatever strikes my fancy. Since I retired, I no longer am bound by “office appropriate” looks and can wear what I please when I please 🙂

Sherri Avatar

Yes, I plan out my looks in advance, but not all of the time. I watch YouTube tutorials and have written down a lot of different looks with a couple of my palettes (yes, I am that crazy, but I won’t remember if I don’t write them down!), so I have lots of references to use in the morning. Sometimes I’ll plan my makeup the night before and then plan my outfit around it.

Brooke Avatar

When ever I plan a look it doesn’t go as I though it would look, basically my cut crease or dramatic looks don’t turn out the way I pictured. I do pre think the colors and I find myself matching my outfit to my make up unless it’s a special occasion where I bought the dress in advance. I do however plan my clients looks beforehand and they always come out like I thought they would!

Meghan Avatar

I don’t typically plan out my looks, but for the work week I regularly plan the products I’m going to use, particularly eye shadows (just like I set aside my cloths for the work week too!). Blushes I usually choose on the fly. Otherwise it can take me way to long to make decisions in the morning. My stash has grown quite a lot over the past year, and I find I need to take time to plan stuff out for everyday just so I make sure I’m using the stuff I own. For example, at night I might set out a palette on my vanity to use the next morning but I’ll skip it if I run out of time! For a special occasion same thing, but I usually give myself an hour or more to enjoy getting ready & glammed up!

Yesterday I set out my UD Naked palette, because I’ve seen a few YouTube videos lately with Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup & Lily Pebbles using Half Baked, so I wanted to plan to wear that today, and I did! 🙂 I watch a lot of beauty videos on YouTube, but don’t usually try out the tutorials on myself.

Gillian Avatar

I don’t really plan my looks out, I just decide at the time of doing my makeup. If there’s something specific that I’m wearing then I might give it some thought before the day but I usually just wing it.

There are certain techniques or products that I will almost always use so that narrows it down somewhat when choosing what to put on. One example is my beloved Clarins Double Fix’ Mascara. It makes my mascara stay put; no flaking, no smudging, no nothing. It’s the only reason I can wear mascara since everything else, waterproof or not, gives me panda-eyes, plus it’s for your brows too and it keeps everything in place. I love it!

Anyone else got a Holy Grail product that you can’t be without, either for going out or just day-to-day? I’m always looking out for good recommendations and tips. 🙂

Maggie Avatar

Planning sounds soo…methodical. So nope not usually. I would usually decide vaguely on my look beforehand depending on my outfit, event and activities (i.e. like purple smokey eyes, or red lips). But I don’t set up and organize all my products for the look beforehand. I probably should but I don’t.

Rachel R. Avatar

For special occasions, definitely. Day-to-day: Sometimes. There may be a color or a new palette or product I’m wanting to try out. Or I’ll want something very specific, based on the outfit I’m wearing. Usually I’m inspired by my outfits, whether I plan my makeup or not.

My brushes, etc. are pretty well organized, so I don’t have to make sure I have those ready, unless I’m taking them on a trip.

cara Avatar

Sometimes! I get so inspired or so excited seeing a look online or a product in my collection Turnbull mentally plan a look for the next day. Or set a product out to build a look around. I work very long hours and am working or commuting the majority of my time, my make up is my happiness. That being said, sometimes you need to daydream up your future looks to stay motivated.

Toni Avatar

I plan my products just as I plan my outfits the night before the next day of work! I usually try challenge myself by wearing the same lip color a few times a week and switch it out with a couple others on other days. I don’t always know what eye look I am going for, but I at least pick a shadow palette to work with. Weekend picks vary based on my mood and my activities for the day.

Elizabeth Avatar

Yes, I do. If I don’t lay out the products I want to use before I get ready, I get overwhelmed. I have so many cosmetics, and if I have to go through all of my products, it would take me much longer to get ready. I have a case with the essentials, like foundation, powder, mascara, but I have to grab blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, lipstick, and eyeliner and place them in my bag. I am easily distracted, and I just swapped out my summer for fall and winter colors, so to prevent me from sorting through some old favorites, I have to preselect what look I am going for.

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