What Makeup School Doesn’t Always Teach You (But Should)
- Erin
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Blog by Erin Durr
Becoming a professional makeup artist involves more than perfect blending and trending looks. While many makeup schools cover the basics, there are critical professional practices that are often overlooked—and they can make or break your career, your reputation, and your client’s safety.
Below are real-world, pro-level lessons every makeup artist should be taught.
Proper Sanitation Goes Beyond the Basics
Why 99% Alcohol Matters
When cleaning brushes, tools, and pencils in a pinch, 99% isopropyl alcohol is the professional standard. Unlike rubbing alcohol with a higher water percentage, 99% alcohol evaporates extremely fast.
Why this matters on the job:
Tools dry almost instantly
No risk of applying wet alcohol to the skin
Less chance of irritating the client’s eyes or skin
Never use tools, brushes, or pencils while they are still wet with alcohol. Alcohol that hasn’t fully evaporated can cause irritation and discomfort—especially around the eyes.
Scraping, Scooping, and Pouring Is Non-Negotiable
Professional makeup artists never double-dip.
Always:
Scrape creams and lip products with a spatula
Scoop products onto a palette or paper towel
Pour liquid products out before application
Your kit should always include:
Disposable mascara wands
Disposable lip gloss wands
Disposable sponges
Cotton swabs
Clean spatulas
This is one of the most important sanitation habits in professional makeup artistry.
Foundation Should Not Be Dragged Down the Neck
If you properly match a client’s foundation, there is no need to drag it down the neck.
Foundation should only be taken down the neck if:
You are intentionally deepening or lightening the client’s natural skin tone
Why you should avoid it:
Risk of getting foundation on clothing
Breaks professional standards
Creates unnecessary mess
Protect Your Client Properly
Always use a neck guard to protect the skin from the cape
Always use a cape to protect the client’s clothing
Each tool has a purpose—and using both is essential.
Always Ask About Allergies—Every Single Time
Before you begin any makeup application, you must ask:
Do you have any allergies?
Are there any ingredients or brands you react to?
We hear this constantly from clients:
“No makeup artist has ever asked me that before.”
That’s alarming.
Failing to ask about allergies can lead to:
Skin irritation
Severe reactions
Medical emergencies
This step is non-negotiable in professional makeup artistry.
Facial Anatomy Should Be Assessed in Two Halves
Most makeup schools teach artists to read the face as a whole—and that’s a mistake.
Why Splitting the Face Matters
Professional artists assess:
The frontal bone (upper face)
The mandible (lower face)
These areas often have different shapes and structures, and treating the face as one uniform shape leads to:
Incorrect blush placement
Poor bronzer balance
Misplaced highlight
Understanding how to read each half separately allows for customized, balanced makeup placement.
Never Touch a Client’s Face Directly
Professional boundaries matter.
Do not touch the client’s face without a barrier
Always use a tissue, cotton pad, or tool
Never apply makeup to your own skin and then to theirs
Always use a palette
This protects:
Client hygiene
Your professionalism
Your reputation
Do Not Touch Your Client's Hair
Imagine spending an hour styling hair—only for someone to:
Lean on it
Smudge it
Pull it out of place
Makeup artists should:
Avoid touching hair entirely
Never rest hands on the client’s head
Communicate with hairstylists on shared jobs
Professional respect goes a long way in this industry.
Apply Eyeshadow Before Foundation
Eyeshadow fallout is real.
Applying eyeshadow before foundation and concealer:
Prevents fallout from muddying the under-eye area
Keeps complexion makeup clean and fresh
Saves time on corrections
This simple change elevates your entire application process.
Apply Lashes With Eyes Open
Professional lash application should be done with:
Eyes open
Client looking down
Benefits:
Easier access to the lash line
More precise placement
Reduces risk of gluing the eye shut
This technique improves safety and accuracy.
Final Thoughts: Professionalism Is Taught Through Experience
These are the details that separate:
Hobbyists from professionals
Amateurs from working artists
For more professional makeup tips:
Follow us on social media
Read our blogs
Take a private lesson or makeup class
Become professionally certified in our 20‑ or 40‑Hour Advanced Makeup Techniques Class
Real artistry starts with real education.
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