TRACY TALKS

THE MAGIC OF MAKEUP

BY TRACY SIMONE

The rule for wearing makeup has always been that if you can see it, then there is too much. Some people grow accustomed to seeing themselves a certain way and then anything different or less than that is uncomfortable. The reality is that makeup should really enhance your features, and not mask your beauty. It should also make you feel good about yourself. Sure, we can cheat a little. Cheekbones lacking? Draw some in. Eyelashes too thin? Get the mascara.

Remember that no matter who you are, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, and you do not need any makeup. Some women do not believe that about themselves and would not get caught dead without it.

There is a true art to being able to apply it well. Those who have mastered it can pile it on in a way that the facial features are brought to life, and the makeup itself is not even visible. The face is the star of the show, not the products that were applied to it.

Ladies spend a mint on having their faces painted so that those wedding pictures come out right. We go to great extremes to make our faces look the way we want them to and not the way God gave them to us. Many women pay a professional makeup artist to ‘hook them up’ for their corporate pictures. Admit it, there are times that it just makes sense to hire someone who specializes in this area. Too many of us shave off our eyebrows just to draw them back in. I have never cared for that look, but I will certainly fess up that I am not the best at doing my own makeup.

It has always amazed me how different

the same person can look based on the makeup that is applied. Some people are so talented at this and can create a look, flawlessly, even on someone else. In each of the pictures in this article, Dashawn Russell was my makeup artist. He is someone I met a few years back at a fashion show. There was some type of mixup, and the other artists did not show up. He ended up having to do the makeup for all the models in the show. Not only did he make every single person look beautiful, but he did it quickly, effortlessly, and with such skill. Each person looked perfect, and it was as if he made the brushes obey him. That did it. This was the artist for me. We have worked together many times since then. He can be found on Instagram at @dashawnrussellbeautypro.

There is a challenge in finding both products and a makeup artist who can get darker skin tones correct. People of color have different undertones and it is not easy to match the foundation properly. This is a common complaint among women of color. So, it becomes a lifelong journey to find the right products for each skin type. Everyone has this issue, not just women of color, but it is certainly a harder task for those with darker skin. There is less availability of the products in general and sometimes, the companies that produce them do not stay in business because the market is sometimes difficult. These tend to be smaller companies that cannot compete with the larger ones. So, they do not always have the same advertising budgets or abilities to supply their cosmetics in the same places as the big ones. The makeup displays in most stores is usually limited for those with melanated skin. Makeup for darker skin is not just a darker version of the same product.

“Always keep in mind though that YOU are the diamond, and the makeup just adds some sparkle.”

“Feel free to play with your look. Explore lots of options and really have a good time with it.”

There is really a science to it. So, the search continues.

Wearing makeup can be fun and interesting but if we face it, some of us go overboard. I cannot get over some of the fake eyelashes that I see online. Someone wearing some of these monsters could bat her eyes in New York and the breeze would be felt in Los Angeles! Makeup is great but it should be realistic. The exceptions to this, of course, is if it is for art, or if it is for theatrical or editorial purposes. Many people do not realize that there are different techniques and coloring needed depending on the reason for applying it. For instance, it should be different if the resulting pictures will be in black & white versus being in color. Also, makeup for television and movies is also a unique challenge. The hot lights can wash out a face if the correct makeup is not used.

The main thing to remember about cosmetics is that no matter what you do, NEVER SLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP! This is the quickest way to ruin your skin. Skin is meant to breathe, and it should be cleansed, toned, and moisturized regularly.

Feel free to play with your look. Explore lots of options and really have a good time with it. Always keep in mind though that YOU are the diamond, and the makeup just adds some sparkle. You do not need it, but if you use it, enjoy!