Back to Makeup!

My friend is getting married, so I took it upon myself that I have to make a contribution that aligns perfectly with my so-called talents. I initially thought calligraphy would be best, but the invitation companies have their own pre-packaged calligraphers, which I did not want to mess the process with, so I skipped that. 

I thought Makeup is also in my neck of the woods, so hey I am going to recommend the best ones I know! Which I did… 

And then we did the “Engagement Photoshoot”, which was really designed as a “for fun” event. Of course I did the makeup, I have to make those MUA education useful! It was fun, the photos came out nice and perfect! Something sort of clicked at that point: I really liked doing this. 

So there we were laughing and talking about me doing the makeup on the actual wedding. I immediately declined because the idea scared me! I thought that there's too much pressure doing someone's makeup for a wedding, an event that will immortalize a bride’s face. And no amount of photoshop can cover up the bad photos from guests. 

But makeup is exciting, so I just wanna be part of the process, looking for Bridal MUAs in town. 

I went to the trial to watch… and I treat it as a learning experience as well, I consider myself forever a student of makeup. This is the first time I closely watched a bridal MUA at work.

As I was watching the artist paint on my friend's face, I realized that what she's doing is exactly what I would do… it's what I spent money learning to do.. it's not as rocket science as I thought it was. But everytime I think “Hey I could do that”, I immediately erase that from my mind because of the jitters, and I always think that this MUA has probably tons of bridal experience so there shouldn't be any pressure for her.

But incidentally, the trial was unsatisfactory. I personally think the makeup was great, my only issue was that it “didn't follow the brief”, as Val Garland would say. And I believe it can definitely be adjusted, but that entails another $$$ for another trial. And for that reason, that MUA is out.

We're back in the drawing board again. I was surprised how expensive MUAs charge for just a wedding trial here in the US. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against that, I understand the amount of work and the products too that you invest for this profession. I totally respect that.

While here I am doing makeup for fun… ;) You know, I tried going the pro - way in 2016 but just before the pandemic hit, I was already at a stopping point. I was not totally out there, and still was a bit insecure, my artistic confidence low, and feeling like a beginner most of the time. And the thing is, I feel indifferent about it, I was totally okay with it, which is not really a good reason to go on. I wasn't getting enough clients and practice, and my products are expiring. And then COVID came and it all just made the argument stronger to stop completely.
But recently, some fire inside me was lit… first was the makeup trial, and maybe the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders further accelerated it recently (they're so cute right). I realized that I could do this! I noticed I always sell myself short. But I have the training and experience, all I need to do is get out there and just do it!

So the journey begins… Wish me luck, watch me as I become a True Pro!