3 reasons why you hate your makeup
"It looks too mask-like and makeup just looks terrible on me in general!" And yet, you did everything exactly as you saw it on social media. Don't give up. You probably just fell into one of these three traps.
1. You go from 0 to 100
Anyone who has only worn ergonomically correct sneakers their whole life won't suddenly be able to walk confidently in 12-centimeter heels tomorrow. It's similar with makeup. If you never wear makeup and then go for the full program, you'll have a hard time feeling comfortable.
Better: Ease into it. Start with some mascara. Apply it only to the tips of your lashes first, then later to the full length. If you like it, you can take it a step further. Maybe with some concealer? Or bronzer? Just don't try to do too much too soon.
Source: Photographed from the book Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown.
2. You copy others
Paid partnerships, affiliate programs, new «beauty ideals», and short-form formats: they have all kneaded tutorials, reviews, and even faces on social media into a homogeneous, easily digestible mass of content. Today, one piece of content looks just like the next. What works gets copied.
Nuances fall by the wayside. Yet those are exactly what would be important for adapting what you've learned to yourself. Instead, we rely on copy-paste and imitate what we see step by step: we place the exact same amount of the exact same product in the exact same spots and use the exact same techniques – and then we're disappointed that the shoe doesn't fit. But why does it pinch, this makeup shoe?
Cameras, studio-like lighting, and soft-focus filters «swallow» product. Anyone filming a video can therefore easily apply twice or three times as much concealer, foundation, or powder without it looking like too much in the finished clip. On top of that, those who go big in videos benefit from the shock value. Following the motto: «Whoa, no way, she applied that much and it still looks decent?!»
You're surely familiar with those tutorials where creamy products like blush or bronzer are first applied generously in lines, areas, or dots. Blending only happens once all the «markings» are in place. That looks great in a video and serves to better visualize the placement. But no professional will advise you to use this tricky method. First, way too much product ends up on your face; second, the color dries on your skin prematurely. Both make blending more difficult.
Source: Instagram @hairmakeupayse, Instagram @neslismakeuphouse
Furthermore, you should always ask yourself: Does the placement I see in the video even make sense for my facial features? Or is this technique just flattering the standard Insta-baddie face again? Sure, makeup doesn't always have to look advantageous. But I would argue that you should at least like it.
Those were just a few examples. Social media is full of such details that have nothing to do with your reality. It's no wonder that your mirror shows a different picture than social media.
Better: Don't just orient yourself toward the first influencer video you see. Watch long-form content from true artists like Lisa Eldridge, who work with different people every day and can provide you with nuanced knowledge and context.
3. You haven't found your products yet
Just buying whatever is trending? With the huge selection out there, I understand the appeal. Hypes are like lighthouses. They show us the way. But between the beauty shelves, this often leads to a dead end. Makeup is something highly individual and doesn't just have to fit your preferences, but (if that's important to you) also do justice to your skin type, tone, and undertone. A subjective recommendation alone is no guarantee that you will be happy with a product. You have to match it with your needs beforehand.
Source: Photographed from the book Make Up – A Masterclass In Beauty by Hannah Martin.
For a long time, for example, I was convinced that lipsticks didn't suit me. Back then, warm shades were in, and I bought them – without using even two brain cells – just like my favorite influencer. (Mistake number two is bleeding into this somehow, as you can tell.) Once applied, I felt like a clown. At some point, I realized: those just aren't my colors. Today, I feel perfectly comfortable in a neutral to cool spectrum. But I had to learn that first.
Better: The path to a satisfying makeup routine will be paved with bad purchases. You can use that to get to know yourself better. Draw conclusions from your mistakes: What do the products you didn't like have in common? Was it the color? Did it not match your skin tone? Was the coverage too high? The formula too matte? And so on. With this knowledge, you can then research adequately or get advice from a professional.
As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
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