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Rant & Rave: Makeup Tutorials
Tell us what you love and hate about...
Makeup Tutorials
I love when someone takes the time to walk-through and explain the steps and procedures while also offering alternative tips and tricks as they repeat steps. I don’t need to see everything in real time, but I like to have a good portion of it not sped up. Though I don’t think it’s necessary to use exactly what the person used in a tutorial, I would appreciate a list of products used!
Please keep the discussion to a high-level rather than critiquing any specific one person otherwise these posts derail very quickly. Thank you!
— Christine
If it’s a youtube/video tutorial, please speak CLEARLY. I also much prefer it when youtubers (and bloggers) LIST the products used in the “description box”. Close ups are nice for showing techniques and end results for things like blending eyeshadows or working a concealer or foundation to get the ideal finish promised. I much prefer “real time” to those sped up “grwm” “tutorials” which aren’t really tutorials at all since they move to fast and often skip over steps so they don’t “tutor” me in anything meaningful. And if stuff has been given to you for free or is sponsored, TELL ME and be honest about it.
Tbh, I don’t like most of them because they aren’t useful. So many palette tutorials use the boring colors, not the ones that make it special. I want to see palette tutorials that give at least three different looks.
Rants.:
1. Those slow motion glamor shots in the beginning of most videos – so gross and so much second hand embarrasment.
2. I’m here for the makeup/look, a tutorial isn’t the place to start droning on and on about your personal life or viewpoints (Kimberly Clark is an exception).
3. Not leaving a list of products in the description box, or even showing the product photo during the video – one youtuber was honest about it, said “I don’t get the views if I give the list out and I’m really trying to turn this into something”. I respect the honesty and at the same time, it feels manipulative.
4. Lack of respect for audience/viewers/loyal subscribers – It’s a fine line between a conversational speaking style and verbally running around in your underwear. I realize I may be in the minority but I don’t care for the grandstanding or over-the-top antics – I came for the tutorial, please stop auditioning for a comedy show or the runway or a circus act.
5. Not knowing what you are going to say and Forrest Gumping your way through your intro and outro. Here’s a simple formula – Hi everyone!/Here’s the look and here we go!/**Content**/Thank you for watching! *mic drop*
Rave:
1. Some are really trying to make a professional name for themselves, or already have and are staying true to their style and presentation model. I respect consistency (Lisa Eldridge, NailsbyMiri).
2. They can be really informative. Alissa Ashley has been giving tutorials lately where she will explain placement and technique, and then give a little visual blurb about her “tips” of the brush/product/placement, etc. I find this very useful – it cuts down on the dialog, potential to veer off topic and video length.
3. Great place to showcase your talent and/or grow professionally.
Oh gosh, Pearl – you are so right about those “glamour shots” – far too often, the people in them end up looking catatonic rather than “inspiring” – you are so right about the second-hand embarrassment.
You said everything I was thinking!
The glamour shots are so hysterically funny and yet so painful to watch at the same time.
I love your points here, Pearl.. echo’ing many of my thoughts.
Oh, yes, the glamour shots where they “make love” to the camera. Ugh! No thank you. They just look like they’re trying too hard.
Pearl, you said it perfectly. I also applaud your intro/outro format in #5. Some take as long with the intro as they do with the tutorial.
Oh where do I begin? Lol, I realize everyone likes different things, & that is fine. The over the top personalities seem to do well, so I must be in the minority. I like people who speak calmly & stay composed. Having fun, being silly & getting excited is fine, but some seem to be trying so hard to be funny & exciting. I hate the screeching, squealing, waving their arms around & acting like they’re the funniest person ever. In the makeup community I just do not understand how some of these people are considered “gurus”. A few of the most popular ones are not that good at makeup. They do the same look repeatedly while screeching. If you lack talent, at least make up for it by doing good product reviews. There are so many hard working, humble makeup artists online who do incredible things with makeup & that is who deserves the fame imo. Happy 2018!
I’ve stopped watching tutorials because I hate them so much. I find the static looks here on Temptalia to be much better. I had gotten to the point that if I saw one more person talk in a baby voice or have globs of highlighter on the tip of her nose, I was going to pull out a gun and shoot my monitor.
Susan you made my day! ?
I learned a great deal from the hooded eye tutorials and really appreciate that type of instruction. But tutorials designed to use a particular palette are a waste for me since I am not likely to own the palette being used. Fortunately we can come here to find the dupes.
Rave: When they give dupes or describe a shade so you can shop your stash, instead of making you feel like you have to buy what they’re using. I love tutorials for new items on the market, so people who may want to buy can check out how they work in practice. I prefer is they show all the steps, and mention what kinds of brushes they’re using. I really appreciate it when they list all products and tools used in the description box. Of course, I always appreciate tutorials with creative and alternative looks, but I like all kinds if they’re well done.
Rant: I’m so sick of the same “Instagram face” tutorials. I’m not bashing the look, but I’d like to see more variety. “Tutorials” that are obviously undisclosed sponsored ads. I think having filters on videos is misleading and unnecessary. I’m not into “chatty” tutorials. Get to the point. I don’t care what a beauty guru thought of the last Marvel movie or where she had dinner last night. I want to be able to follow what they’re doing without getting sidetracked. No stupid music cheery generic in the background: It’s annoying and distracting. No loud music either. What’s the point in a tutorial that I can’t even hear? Balance music with the audio, please. Wow, I sound so bitchy. I guess I needed to vent. lol
Personally, I am not a fan of Makeup Tutorials as I find it difficult to emulate their skills and they often seem to support products that I know (from this blog) that are not that great. Maybe it’s a generational thing, but it’s not my scene.
I think tutorials are great especially if you need inspiration for a specific palette. Like I seriously stumble in what to do with the Naked Smoky and I’ve binged a number of tutorials. It’s also great to pick up new techniques – I tend to pick channels that are around my age, face shape and skintone so I know the look and products will be somewhat doable on me.
That said, there is no barrier to entry for Youtube channels other than finding a webcam, so quality of vids varies. And there’s definitely a uniform style that every beauty channel seems to adopt (yes those glamour shots, “if you want to see how I got this look just keep watching,” lit candle in the background, etc) – but that’s common in all media. Sportscasters, radio DJs, TV preachers — each form tends to develop its own “things” that everybody adopts so it’s inevitable!
Poor research and preparation where they just read copy releases or squint at the back of the packaging because they haven’t bothered to check the shade names.
The endlessly vapid blue steel modelling shots (vague stare into the distance, head tilt, drop eyes and flutter lashes, smile coyly at camera, etc) – we get it, we can see your face and you are the star in your own life, OMG.
Not providing a full list of products – they might use a particular eyeshadow palette but even just a text list for 5 seconds of the other products used right at the end would be helpful.
Crap lighting and distracting backgrounds. Shimmery backdrops and avant garde “art” just detract from the message – and if I see a candle flickering, I be all “your house prolly gonna burn down!”
Too long – I’m going to skip bits or turn it off if you start talking about brunch or your dog or whatever else isn’t on topic. Some people can pull this off because they’re naturally engaging but most folks should just stick to the topic at hand. If Wayne Goss can do this in 5 minutes and you take 25 minutes to get to the point, I’m not gonna bother.
High pitched voices – that “Hii-IIIIIIII-iiii and wel-COME to my CHAN-nel!!!!” really grinds my gears – I’m aware they’re trying to appeal to a wide audience and seem approachable but don’t actually need to be super duper friendly and smiley because it makes me think you just did a bunch of uppers or dosed out on antihistamines and this isn’t how you are in real life. Counterpoint – those who are just nasty or dismissive because they decide they don’t like something and then frame it as “being honest.” You can just say you don’t like it for whatever reasons you have, you don’t need to be a dick about it.
I watch very few tutorials.
I’m only referring to makeup tutorial on YouTube here.
Rave:
I love product reviews. It helps me make a decision on buying a makeup product without wasting too much money while trying out the many products out there.
Rant:
Too many product reviews!!! It seems like that’s all there is nowadays. A makeup tutorial, in my opinion, should include techniques to apply makeup. Lately, all we get to see is mainly color combinations. They show us what colours they used but not how they apply it and why they chose to apply it a certain way (e.g. for eyeshadow placement).
I like a tutorial where they don’t ramble on too much. Some chit chat is fine but we’re here to watch a tutorial first and foremost
Using the product in the tutorial you have in your description. If I click on a tutorial using ABH Modern Renaissance, I expect you to mostly use the Modern Renaissance. Otherwise better describe and say tutorial using mostly Makeup Geek shadows and one shade from the Modern Renaissance. No false advertising!
Be clear and concise with your tips
But in general, I don’t watch tutorials bc they are all the same. Winged liner, false eyelashes, contour, highlight. It’s rather sad they cannot write products in the description bar bc they will get less views and tutorials in general get less views. YouTube is a business and unfortunately, crazy antics is what sells and that’s why YouTube /social media isn’t fun anymore. It’s difficult finding really engaging, meaningful content and sadly, it’s not all the influencer’s fault but a lot of the blame falls on the viewer. They only give what you click on. Tutorials don’t get clicks and as a result, a viewer is hard pressed to find many or unique, meaningful ones!
Despite their (sometimes) flaws, I admit I’ve learned a lot from watching tutorials when I have the time for it.
I have VERY hooded eyes and I find that most ‘gurus’ (even the ones that say they have hooded eyes) don’t have as hooded eyes as me so it is very hard for me to recreate their looks. There are only a handful of tutorials that I have ever found actually useful (mostly by actual makeup artists like the pixiwoos, Wayne Goss, and Lisa Eldridge).
I do like chatty GRWM style vids sometimes if I like the personality of the person filming them.
Pros:
-listing makeup used in description box
-short and precise
-actually know what they are doing
-using various brands from high end to drug store
PERFECT Tutorials for Me: Wayne Goss (dude is like the king of making videos short, informative and of good quality. I like Alissa Ashley, I don’t care for the intro but her videos are so top notch, high quality, great edit and not too long! I like Ellarie and RayeRaye too! As much as people don’t like him, I like Jeffree Star, his reviews are well thought out and I feel most of the time honest.
CONS:
-Long intros are the death! I hate them, I always fast forward.
-Long talkers – just say it and be done
-Giving their personal thoughts for 20 mins before getting to the product
-GRWM! I have no idea why they think I want to get ready with them while they talk about fluff. I just don’t get the appeal
-Slow Motion anything
-Life updates (I get updating your fans but that’s what vlogs are for, I want makeup)
I’ve honestly not watched a lot of tutorials. mostly I try to find a review for a product I want to buy but that’s it. The Beauty Guru thing has gone too far down the rabbit hole for me
I agree with what’s already been said. I’ll add in a specific rant: when they say “I’m using the morphe M whatever # brush.”… Tell what the brush is for and why you’re using it, don’t just give the number. It’s not like I own all these morphe brushes and know what the number means. I think Alyssa Ashley is the one that says what type and why she chooses the brush to do that specific part. That’s very helpful
I love this! I feel the same, yet I don’t always practice what I appreciate.. thanks for the teminder
I think everyone here did a good job of saying most of the things I was thinking. I’ll add a few more items, a couple of which I’m aware might be *very specific* to me:
1. Not enough variety in finished looks, especially considering the history of makeup and how many styles have existed through time. Seems like we mostly have two choices: natural and Instagram. There really aren’t many taboos right now, and if someone wanted to rock a 50’s glam face one day, a flapper look the next, and a punk look the day after, it likely wouldn’t turn heads. Having said that, very few people are actually demonstrating that kind of range. I understand that it takes real skill to do very different things successfully, and a lot of YouTubers are just better at copying the latest Instagram trend (I’m not being mean — not everyone can be an expert), but it would make my heart sing if we had a lot more people who regularly do looks from many different eras, or translated runway looks to street makeup, or who took the (admittedly awesome) Drac Maken look down a notch for the slightly-edgier-than-average folk. There will always be a place for “natural” tutorials, but the potential of makeup is being wasted!
2. This is purely me, so take it with a grain of salt, but there are days when I feel like the dominant personalities are Mean Girls, Real Housewives, and stereotypical wannabe drag queens (male and female alike). Enough. I suppose on some level it’s freeing to just act out and be someone different on screen, or a much exaggerated version of yourself, but over-the-top behavior is usually just cringey and sad. I can’t help but feel like it’s compensating for something (like shyness in real life, or the fear of being nobody, etc…). I guess it has its faithful adherents, but so do female mud wrestling and dwarf tossing.
3. Thumbnails that are basically dumb drama trying to tell me how to feel about something before I even click on it (even worse when the implied drama isn’t supported by the video content … not that I want drama). I wandered into a popular YouTuber’s channel recently and brought up her entire video list; I kid you not, three out of every four thumbnails had “WTF” and that shocked emoji. Ridiculous. There’s another YouTuber that makes my skin crawl when I just look at her thumbnails — I’ve never watched one of her videos and never will. Every flippin’ one of her thumbnails has her snarling, sneering, or looking disgusted with “WTF” and equivalents pasted around. Every. Last. One. Of. Them. Drama much? What kind of person thinks “ooooh … she hates a lot of stuff, I totally want to go watch her videos.” Ugh.