I'm A Makeup Artist — Here's Why Less Is More When It Comes To Cosmetics

When people meet me, they're often surprised to find out I'm a professional makeup artist and tell me I don't look like what they'd expect someone in the makeup space to appear. In fact, despite working with copious amounts of cosmetics every day, I usually wear very minimal makeup, preferring a natural look. But that wasn't always my approach.

Years ago, I'd spend hours getting ready for days at a corporate job I hated and nights out on the weekend, dropping hundreds of dollars each month on new products. I enjoyed to process and creativity of wearing a lot of makeup, experimenting with my look to try something new every day, but I realized it was also a way of hiding myself.

Through makeup, I was trying to be someone I thought others wanted me to be: I wanted to be glamorous and sophisticated, not scared of anything, always up for an adventure. But inside, I was lonely, guarded and never let anyone see the real me (personality or face). I was afraid to be vulnerable, terrified of being seen without the protective "mask" makeup provided.

At the beginning of my artistic career, I tried to wear crazy, dramatic eye makeup because that's what I thought was expected of me as a makeup artist. But it didn't feel like "me." It wasn't really a surprise, but I realized that when I wore a ton of makeup, I didn't look like myself. In fact, I looked older than I was, and not in a good way.

As I discovered that I felt more like myself with less makeup, I could feel my clients trusted me more than when I was trying to look like someone else. They knew I wouldn't make them look crazy or feel uncomfortable, and that I would bring out a more polished version of themselves because I wasn't wearing over the top makeup myself.

Realizing that less is more with makeup helped me develop my personal style and beauty philosophy. I believe that bringing out a woman's natural beauty and true self by enhancing her unique features will make her look and feel like an even better version of herself. You don't need to wear a full face of makeup with 15 different beauty products to look beautiful.

Once I realized I was using makeup as a wall and started to embrace a fresh face, I became infinitely more comfortable not only with my looks, but also with myself in general. I used to spend hours picking apart my features, critiquing and criticizing what I saw in the mirror before trying to change them with makeup.

Before I became a makeup artists, I refused to leave the house without being full made up. Now, I'm often not wearing anything on my face. Ironic given my profession, huh? I no longer need a mask to hide behind or to look like anyone other than myself. I'm fully me, and I'm proud to let people see that person.

I still love makeup and cosmetic artistry, but now I'm more inspired by bringing out a woman's true beauty and helping her feel more confident in her own skin. By giving her that confidence, it helps her shine and be seen for the beautiful woman she is.