Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to look like a diva. Some things never change, I suppose. I would wear my mom’s high heels and steal her makeup to put it all over my face even when I didn’t know a thing about makeup and how to use it. My mom has always worn her liquid black eyeliner. I used to watch her apply it as it had become second nature to her. And of course, my preteen self wanted to wear it as well. There was just a little problem: I did not have my mom’s steady hand so I would end up looking more like a hot mess than anything else. But that is my first experience with makeup; one I cherish with all my heart: playing with my mother’s makeup and experimenting with the colorful eyeshadows and the glossy lipsticks while she took pictures of me from every possible angle.
When I became a teenager, I started to struggle with acne for almost eight years, so I made it my mission to learn how to do my makeup in order to hide the scars away. I started to wear makeup when I was in 7th grade. It was the classic combo of concealing pimples and my dark eyes , which meant that I was using the concealer as foundation because my acne was everywhere. I quickly became insecure of my acne and started to hide behind layers and layers of makeup. Luckily, as I started to grow up, I realized that no matter the acne or the scars I had, I was beautiful without makeup as much as I was with it. To my teenage self and to you, my dear reader: Makeup doesn’t define your beauty because you are already beautiful. Makeup is art and it’s fun, so experiment with it and enjoy the process!
Although it may be different for everyone, here’s the four-step guide that helped me learn how to do my makeup.
Step #1: Tape
Back in 2013-2015, the cat eye makeup look was the trend and I was obsessed with it. But my hand didn’t think the same because it was so unsteady that, instead of having wings that could cut my enemies, I drew uneven wings that looked like a kindergarten doodle. Using tape to create the perfect cat eye with liquid eyeliner became the best hack of the moment. Years have passed, but it’s still one of the best hacks ever and I highly recommend it to beginners! Not only because it would help you achieve those beautiful and sharp wings, but it will make your hand get used to the movement. Back then, I felt my hand become steadier the more I used the tape until one day I didn’t need to use it anymore for that specific look. And to this day, I still use the tape when I’m creating certain looks.
Step #2: YouTube (or any social media)
The Beauty Community was rising in YouTube in 2013-2016 like never before. If you needed any type of makeup look, YouTube had at least ten different tutorials. NikkieTutorials, Bretman Rock, Jackie Aina, Desi Parkins, Manny MUA, Carli Bybel and many more became my teachers and role models. Every trick and hack I know is thanks to them. However, the more makeup artists started to become popular, the more drama appeared to happen in the Beauty Community. It was a shame because I just wanted to learn how to blend different eyeshadows for that perfect look but, instead, I was watching 20 minute long apology videos… yikes! Luckily, nowadays we have Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok where you can find many makeup looks and tutorials. Now, I still watch their videos because you can never stop learning.
Step #3: Know your product
I used to sit in front of my mirror and blend for a very long time, but the eyeshadows didn’t move at all! When I bought another pallet, I realized that the eyeshadows I was using weren’t good… Good one, Nahiria! That’s when I started to pay more attention to the products the makeup artists I was following were applying on their faces. And then, I had to face yet another problem. No matter how good I could do my eyeshadows and liners, if I didn’t have a good base, then what was the point? I had to learn my skin type and how to take care of it so the products would look seamless. I used to buy makeup that was designed for dry skin types because it was the product every makeup artist was praising at the moment… and I have oily skin! To say that my face had to suffer the many trials and errors I went through with products is a lighthearted comment compared to what I put it through. But hey! At least now I know what products work best for me.
Step #4: Practice and Experiment
You need to practice to get good at something. And practice I did. I would do my makeup at 1am, take pictures, remove it and go to sleep. My mom would enter my room and ask me what I was doing and when she’d see my face she’d laugh and ask me where I was going at that hour. But practicing when I had nowhere to go and nothing to do gave me the time I needed to remove my makeup and apply it as many times as I needed. I would experiment with different techniques until I’d found the ones that suited me better. I’d learn which brushes were perfect for applying the eyeshadow and which ones were for blending. Another thing was lighting, one thing was to do my makeup and look good with the poor lighting of my room and another thing was looking good in the daylight. Yup, I also suffered from Flashback Mary on the day of my Quinceañero! No, I did not do my makeup that day, but it was a humbling experience that led me to take makeup more seriously and the day of my prom, I was the one who did my makeup. And guess what? No flashback Mary! Practice makes perfect!
Makeup is definitely one of my favorite hobbies. It makes me happy and empowers me. It took a long ride to get where I am, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I learned what was best for me and I had fun along the way, I couldn’t ask for better. If you want to learn how to do your makeup, don’t feel bad if it doesn’t look right the first time… or the tenth time. It’s a process and I’m sure you will find what suits your face best.