By: Annelise Vintila 

I was lucky enough to be the Maid of Honour at my sister’s wedding over the weekend and, like most weddings, my sister hired a professional makeup and hair artist to transform the wedding party into stunners. Lauren, the artist, was a social and lovely lady but I had no idea if she would be able to create the specific look I wanted (old Hollywood glamour, with a cat-eye and a bold red lip) as I had unrealistic expectations. Lauren arrived at the house at a crisp 6 in the morning, pepped up and energized to work on all of the 8 girls’ faces.

A Diploma from Makeup School Is Non-Negotiable

One of the bridesmaids, Ashley, went first and the more I looked at her makeup progression, the more I was getting anxious for mine. Ashley had very pale, Irish skin and Lauren chose to prime her with a darker colour. In the neon light, Ashley looked flawless, but in the natural light she looked like Snooki’s love-child. A second bridesmaid, Linda, volunteered as tribute and Lauren used the same dark primer on her, but Linda had rich, dark, olive Greek skin and she looked like a sun-kissed mermaid risen from the Mediterranean. I went next, fair skinned and oily complexion, and I was ready to play this makeup Russian roulette; I lost this game as I looked at myself in the mirror and looked four shades darker than my neck. Lauren clearly did not enroll in any makeup school as she brushed all the girls with the same complexion and colour. I asked Lauren how she decided to become a makeup artist and she said she’s always loved makeup and loves the clients’ reaction when she’s done (she didn’t specify good or bad feedbacks). Lauren also added that she was ‘self-taught’ and is currently in the process of developing her own brand of makeup at affordable prices. Well I hate to break it to you Lauren, but you have a long way to go if you want to become a reputable professional; there are many ways she can improve like taking some makeup courses in Hamilton. Lauren clearly needs to get her diploma for her to keep getting clients and expanding her portfolio because her self-taught ways were not up to par.

Having a diploma is a must for those wanting to be reputable makeup artists

Shortcuts Create Underwhelming Results

Aside from Linda, all the girls including my bride sister, had their makeup done very poorly and luckily my friend knew of another makeup artist that was free and rushed over to help beautify us to the nines before the ceremony. I felt embarrassed for Lauren and embarrassed for my sister; here is one of the biggest days of her life and it starts off with a dud. Her wedding turned out beautiful and luckily that was the only roadblock, but I just couldn’t believe how someone can call themselves a ‘professional’ without actual credibility like a diploma. In order to be an expert, you must be taught by the best in the industry and cannot follow any shortcuts.

If you seek respect as a makeup artist, having a diploma and not taking shortcuts is the best way to go

Do you want to get your makeup artist diploma in Hamilton?

Contact the International Beauty Institute for more information!