Express Yourself!

Consciously or subconsciously we often use make-up to express ourselves. But have you ever noticed how animated and expressive you can be while applying makeup? Those odd faces you pull whilst applying your lippie? Read about it in our post You’ve Got to Express Yourself!

Images by Jeon Seung

I often sit in awe watching women apply their makeup on public transport. I know it’s rude to stare – I try to disguise my glare – but I can’t help myself, I find it mesmerising. And anyway; as a Make-up Artist, it’s an occupational hazard.

What I love the most though is the facial expressions that people pull. The numerous contortions can be quite comical though sometimes detrimental to the finished application. Take the ‘conscious’ sucking-in of the cheeks for contouring.

I’ve seen women looking like every last ounce of air has been sucked out of their body. But be careful, suck in too hard and your contour can end up running from your ear lobe to mouth. Not the subtle contour you hoped for.

Also, ever noticed how the pulling and stretching of the delicate skin – especially around the eyes – can look aggressive – it’s a beauty therapist nightmare. But if that is what it takes to achieve the perfect liner; go for it!

Actually, the more I think about it, a straight face is not inspiring or encouraging while applying makeup; or skincare for that matter. Those moments of facial contortions breaths life into your makeup and the look you’re trying to achieve.

So, irrespective of whether you perform this personal act in public or private, as long as the desired application is achieved who cares who’s watching, don’t be shy, ‘you’ve got to express yourself’.