Is it weird to admit that I have only got professional makeup done three times – my civil ceremony, Nigerian traditional wedding and my white wedding! Oh wait, there’s one more – that freebie experience (where my makeup sort of looked like Lupita’s initially).
I think makeup can be great. In particular I think having very well defined eyebrows really does enhance one’s face. In this post, we talked about best tools to shave your eyebrows, and if there’s one thing I’m liking these days, it’s well groomed brows. (I gushed about all the fleek brows during the CV&Career Workshop.)
So I’d decided that I was going to learn to sort eyebrows at least before I turned 28. I probably made this note to self a couple of months ago. And now it’s almost November and I’ll soon be 28! Quick, someone to the rescue!
But there’s still many things about makeup that keep me (and you) awake at night. Ok, obviously not that kind of what-am-I-really-doing-with-my-life awake. But you know, just makes you wonder. Ok, here we go:
Beauty is surely pain. And in this case, we definitely feel the pain in our pockets. I remember right after the wedding, I thought “Hey Mrs, time to get your act together”. Walked into the MAC and Bobbi Brown store in Dubai – and made my married-woman makeup purchase. Left with a few items and quite a dent in debit card. The cost obviously ties in with the very many products we are required to purchase – to slay. But after not seeing the effect of a primer, I decided my moisture was a good enough base, thank you. Thanks to all the beauty bloggers who show us the less-expensive products! Oh there’s also the cost of applying makeup for every Nigerian party/ wedding you attend. We know the networkers kinds of dancers don’t joke with that!
Oh dear. This is one reason I’ve found it hard to learn fleek eyebrows. The time! I may have gotten it once or twice. But on those days, I learnt lessons in patience. I’m amazed at people who spend at least an hour fixing their makeup. Even those times above I wasn’t doing my makeup myself, I still felt so impatient sitting on a chair for that long. Asides the application time, there’s the time of finding the perfect products out of all the very many out there! Finding the exact shade is such a hassle. If i go into the MAC store, the Caucasian attendant gives me a foundation two shades darker than what the black African attendant gives. Phew.
This one is really a genuine question. Many times, I’m not a huge fan of those before and after photos of (Nigerian) brides. Because of course, the befores are intentionally unflattering. Poor light. Ugly head scarves/hair nets. Half dressed. But then in some of these cases, the after makes you ponder: did this transformation go too far? We’ve all seen the jokes about taking a girl swimming on a first date. There’s a subtle hint of truth in the midst of the humour. With contouring, most people can get a slimmer nose and defined cheeks. Fair enough. But then some people go a step further to contour their boobs, neck and legs. Too far?
At some point, I genuinely began to prefer the before photos of brides because it sort of showed their unique features, which I found appealing. Everyone sort of looked the same in the afters! Same eyebrow shape, sort of, and irrespective of their original eyebrow shape. Did it have to be that exact arc? I find the reverse is the case in a lot of European and Asian ads, and magazines. Individuals still retain their distinctive features, just appears a bit enhanced.
Looking good is undoubtedly a great habit to adopt! And putting on makeup is very linked to that. But is it a notch too high when people are absolutely unable to leave the house bare faced? Alicia Keys’ decision to quit wearing makeup evoked quite some responses – with some people calling her downright ugly. I’m also sure we’ve all seen those memes and jokes about ladies rushing to apply makeup before getting on a video call with their partners. Are we getting too drawn in into this that we feel incomplete without a couple of layers?
Definitely down at the bottom of the list, but it’s still there. And I’ve been meaning to ask if I’m the only one who gets brown stains on office documents on the days I wear makeup. Sometimes I actually have to use an eraser to wipe the stains off! Or the inconvenience of wearing a white turtle neck top. How do you do it? Or being caught in the rain with non-water proof mascara. Or being forced to clean off your other eyebrow because someone mistakenly wiped off the first. Oh and then there’s having to wipe it off at night.
Ultimately, I think makeup is amazing. And I agree with Bobbi Brown below. However, it’ll be good to also know where to draw the line (if any).
I believe that all women are pretty without makeup and can be pretty powerful with the right makeup
Bobbi Brown
What are your thoughts on Makeup? Love, Indifference or Nah! Are you already a pro, or like me trying to learn! Do any of the above keep you awake at night? Have you had any makeup woes? If you had to use just one make-up product what will it be?
Love,
Kachee….xX
pS: Chances are I wouldn’t have learnt by November, so I’m thinking of having my makeup done for the fifth time. Guess who is getting excited!?
Olaa Bobade
September 17, 2016 at 02:14Team Indifferent. Like you, I’m trying to learn too. On some days I just have this urge and I pack all of my mum’s makeup products she doesn’t use and I start applying. Lol. I really need to perfect the eyebrow thingy tho. That’s like basicc and maybe eyeliner lol. But all in all, lipstick is the go-to makeup item for me everyday. I can’t be bothered with the rest. At least not for now. And oh, I don’t think I’ve had a professional makeover before. Can you imagine? Lol! Laitanbee Blog
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 00:05Olaa, we need to learn it! Like everyone knows how to do it and it’s so basic. Hahahaha, don’t worry. Unlike me, your wedding will probably not be the first time.
Ej
September 17, 2016 at 03:51Ha ha your question though…..the post is awesomewww.fashvo.comBut we still need to apply makeups thoughhttp://www.fashvo.com/5-rea…
Bababi
September 17, 2016 at 08:19Yayyy new post! I think I’m getting addicted to kacheetee o! Stop maybe?I agree with you, this makeup thing is making ladies go bonkers. In my case I have had professional makeup done a couple of times because I have 3 friends who are MUAs and they use me as a model to promote their business. Hehehe it’s a great feeling being a model.But personally I don’t use much makeup. I always have a mood for the day; go bare faced, hAve only lipstick on, pat with white powder, or when i feel like i want to let every one at work know i can also be girly then i do full painting 😂😂. Majorly I go without anything on my face.Nonetheless, I have nothing against those who choose to have makeup done everyday as long as it doesn’t totally change their identity.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 17, 2016 at 23:56Please get addicted! Lol. How boring if I write and you don’t read or comment. See eh, I need MUA friends in my life honestly. I won’t even mind being a model.That’s the thing – sometimes I want to be girly girly, so I need to learn how to do the full face. Lipsticks I love sha!I think it’s fine to do it everyday.., as long as it doesn’t change you or a lack of it makes you feel insecure.
Abby
September 17, 2016 at 09:48You knowwww I’ve been wondering what year I’m going to get my make up game right o, in uni my roomie was proper into face beats and all with a large box of makeup and things but guess who did not learn? Yup. Me😭😭 and at this point I think the train has left me because first off all I don’t even have that patience. I literally run out of my house almost every morning. My regular go to makeup is bare face and my MAC Rebel lipstick.But of course when it’s time to hit that wedding or event in my Gele and Lace best believe I have my trusted make up artist who “paints” my face real gooood 😁The real MVPs are those that can do a full face everyday! 🏆
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 00:07Abby why are we so similar! I run out of the house, and use a Ruby Woo on the train. I actually was just going to buy Rebel next! It’s such a lovely colour! This train must not leave us oh. We better hurry and catch it, biko!
Oluwatoceen!
September 17, 2016 at 13:23Lola.. I love makeup but am not yet addicted. My picture up there was by a professional 😎. My sister and I have recently been talking about upgrading our makeup skills and tools sef. I think every lady should know how to draw her eyebrows,really. But if you can’t, there’s absolutely nothing wrong, it’s not that serious. My go to makeup has to be my brows, on days when i dnt feel like doing anything, I still somehow end up with eyebrows ( and its not even the anitabrows onpoint type)Nowadays you can get wedding guest makeup for as low as N2000 but no mehn, I am upgrading to perfecting my skills and slaying when required (for weddings and all) because that 2k every Saturday can do a lot in the long run.However, you should draw the line when you begin to feel you are not preety without those makeup, deriving temporary satisfaction in just a beat.. Naah! You are worth so much more.Sigh; another long comment, signing up with disqus was a trap, Will i ever stop commenting sigh😩. Great post as always❤️thatinternist.wordpress.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 17, 2016 at 23:54Don’t ever stop commenting! Because I’m dancing here (ok, just dancing on the chair)I will learn to draw my brows! Looool. When I was in Lagos, I only heard 5k minimum though. 2k might not be so bad, if t’s not every Saturday!Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Mercy
September 17, 2016 at 13:31HAHAHA #TeamNah here! I don’t like makeup for all the reasons you mentioned. I can’t handle doing it regularly but I must confess when the makeup is done right (see photo attached), I love it! But I can’t handle that on my face everyday abeg and I can’t be bothered to learn either. At some point I really wanted to but I’m lazy and too tight fisted LOOOOOL!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 17, 2016 at 16:05Gorgeous photo! I’m with you on this one. When the makeup is done right I love it. I need to learn how to do it. I probably won’t be doing it everyday but at least…! Lol @ lazy and tight fisted. You are not alone!
Chidimma Njoku
September 17, 2016 at 14:32I love makeup but for me, less is more. The makeup must be as close to natural as possible. I’m not a pro but I like to believe that I could get away with doing my makeup myself for my church wedding *fingers crossed*The one thing that keeps me awake is the price of good products but all that is resolved when I summon courage to buy good ones and they are on fleek! All day! Everyday! I’ve had few makeup woes with the brows.If I had to use just one make up product, it will be lipstick.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 00:04It’ll be lipstick for me too! I think I agree that the good products are often better, so I just try to buy them. The brows are the toughest. Many times when I try, I just end up wiping them off. Lol!Thanks Chiding. Hope you’re well. Done with LawSchool?
Evita
September 17, 2016 at 18:56These questions have been on my mind too!! I’ve always and will continue to stick with the fact that less is more when it comes to makeup. I LOVE makeup. But I can’t remember the last time I used eye shadow. These days, I feel a lot of ladies are taking it too far with the excess contouring and highlighting. Makeup is now synonymous to magic. The transformation is just too much especially on Nigerian brides. Those before and after pictures on IG scare me honestly. my mum has even pleaded with me not to do such makeup on my wedding day.lol! I can spend a lot on makeup but I know my limit. I can go all out for lipsticks but primers and foundations, nahhh. Some days I wake up and I’m like, no strength for makeup today, especially those brows. I can’t even! And off I go barefaced to work. Makeup is fun but then, moderation is key.evitainprogress.blogspot.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 00:02I love lipsticks too, and actually have a collection. Many days, I have no strength for makeup. Lol. Some people def take it too far! Thanks for reading! Xx
Mz Charidee
September 17, 2016 at 23:20I’m definitely learning o, my female colleagues, the real MVPs in this makeup ish will just not give you peace if your makeup is shabby. I still feel uncomfy in heavy makeup because I touch my face alot, so my makeup is mostly light.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 00:01I also touch my face a lot. I may need those kind of colleagues in my life. Lol!
Toluwalade Toyin-Kehinde
September 17, 2016 at 23:33Lmao me I’m just mad at the cost!!! How am I supposed to get all I need/want with a student budget? Mtscheww… That’s why a lot of young girls resort to wrong means just to get Mac. Either way, makeup is such a beautiful art. I enjoy using it. See when I’m making up, I have these moments that I randomly scream out loud or chat gibberish because it’s turning out so good (my poor friends go through alot) and the best part is the highlighter/glow ..it gets me emotional Lmao. I get you on that primer oo… I know the difference but I already have a very dry face and my makeup always stays the same all day even without… Such a wondafuu face so I do without the primer sometimes.. Save my money biko. But again, I dislike people who are too dependent on it. Monday-friday I’m bare faced to school… Ain’t nobody got time to waste makeup for school or the hours I’m supposed to be catching the small sleep I have. Yes it takes me 1.5hrs on a rush so now I have to stop typing and go beat my face for church cause I can’t be late… But, please learn the eyebrows lool I would teach you just buy me ticket 😂😂😝 OK byewww.toyinwithfashion.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 17, 2016 at 23:51Babe!! I’m going to learn the eyebrows! Honest. It has plagued me for far too long. I seeeee your glow now! In fact, learning it before november might just be achievable! I think it’s beautiful honestly. it’s prob the over dependency that may be an issue.1.5 hours Lade!!! Infact, I’m inspired!
Berry Dakara
September 18, 2016 at 02:16I like makeup. I don’t wear it a lot. I’m definitely not a MAC or expensive-brand wearer. Maybe if you got the lower cost brands, you’d take to it more. I only wear what I consider a full face of makeup for events. Otherwise, during the week, it’s just my eyebrows, eye liner, and lip liner.Maybe you can take a makeup class like I did here and herewww.berrydakara.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 19:17To be fair, I’m fine with MAC, as i do only the basics and it seems to work for me. I’m really just often uninterested in spending that much time (especially on eyebrows) Lol! But I think I’ll take a makeup class soon, for those days I’ll like to feel extra! During the week, I do eyeliner, powder and lipstick!.
Tunrie
September 19, 2016 at 13:03Haha! I was thinking you could share your skincare/makeup stash with us newbies.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 19, 2016 at 13:14Hahahaha! You flatter me. I always think there’s a ton of YouTube videos and blogs with the info. But I just may share, right after my makeup class! Lol
Samantha LFH
September 18, 2016 at 12:07I definitely agree with it taking a ridiculous amount of time! I love doing my makeup properly it takes absolutely ages and on a daily basis I can’t justify spending that much time getting ready! Lovely post 🙂 xxxhttp://www.samanthafrances….
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 19, 2016 at 13:39I know! The time it takes is the single most annoying factor. Thanks for stopping by!
Ufuoma
September 18, 2016 at 19:28Hi Kachee, you have one of the most expansive lifestyle blogs I have come across. Your topics are so diverse AND interesting. It is so easy to binge-read for hours. Love it.Okay, to the topic. Make up! Na wa oh. I cannot do make up right to save my life and it really is just my eyebrows that have refused to cooperate with me. Why me?About not being able to go out without makeup, I do not have that problem as I do it all the time but I have to admit that I feel self conscious about it because I have acne scarring and I just think everyone is staring at it. I wish I didn’t have to rely on makeup for self confidence sometimes but that’s just the way it is. Working hard on skin care to help my skin appear better because makeup is so much stress especially having to take it off at night. I recently went on a twitter rant about how makeup make me feels like I am slapping mud on my face. Ugh. Hopefully one day I can go on an Alicia Keys movement.Anyway, great post.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 18, 2016 at 19:38Ufuoma! Your makeup looks so pretty in your photos!! Just went back to check your IG page to be sure it was the same you. Don’t sweat it. Honestly, it really looks good!Re acne scarring, I guess we all rely on little extras here and there to boost our self confidence, and that’s fine to be honest. Plus we all don’t need to pull an Alicia as long as the foundations of who we are are not threatened. I’m trying to work on skin care too (just really started learning the basics!).ps: Thank you for your very very kind words. You have no idea how much it means to be at this exact minute. Feeling all emotional right now!
Praise Abu
September 19, 2016 at 10:58My make up game is a zero. I’m not even ashamed to admit it anymore(covers face). The prices of make up products these days just makes me feel even more lazy and indifferent about it but those Youtube tutorials give me hope. I’m working on perfecting my eyebrow and my eyeliner game. My Style Look Book Series
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 20, 2016 at 08:55I try to watch Youtube tutorials and I get tied halfway. But I agree, it gives me hope that someday I can learn. Once I learn my eyebrows, I’m fine!
Tunrie
September 19, 2016 at 13:00Haha! I’m mostly barefaced like Alicia Keys. On days when I almost look sickly then a lipstick can help with balance.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 20, 2016 at 20:44For me, I think eyeliner does the trick on days I look sickly. I often have to run into the drug store to buy one quickly!
favour moyse
September 19, 2016 at 16:37I’m still battling with my brows and its getting better by God’s grace but the time is what I don’t have. One my brows are ok. I could jus rub lip balm and pond powder and off I go.. I will still look beautiful. Can’t coman die because of make up abeg5 BOOKS EVERY LADY SHOULD READ
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 20, 2016 at 20:44We can’t! Brows is what I need to learn as well!
Bubu Green
September 19, 2016 at 17:22You are in the spirit, Kachee ‘coz I’ve saved up a no-make up look post, to publish in few days. Honestly, this make up thing is giving me a headache. In my early twenties, I was slaying with make up skills. I was even termed a ‘make up artist ‘ but the evolution got me humbled. I just can’t keep up, with same reasons you share: sitting for long, staining things that come in contact with my face (my kids suffer a lot from these stains when I carry them), getting right shades (those Caucasians just think every African looks like Alek Wek or Lupita), handing me ‘chestnut brown’ shades. Mschheww! As for eyebrows, I haven’t touched mine but I get sooo tempted sometimes. If I didn’t touch it on my wedding day, I don’t think I’d touch it again. Afterall, Cara Delevingne didn’t. I think these are trends that will go away. Remember when eyebrow painting was just a thin line? People shaved da hell out of dem’ brows. So I would wait until the trend says “full natural brow”.lol. I’m looking into the light, not to be moved by what I’m seeing cos they are so darn gorgeous. That one arch shape though! *flips wig*www.bubusboulevard.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 21, 2016 at 11:20We are def in the spirit together Bubs. You didn’t touch your eyebrows at all for the wedding! Coool!! I Know a couple of people as well who will absolutely refuse to shape them and all. I remember the thin line. Even Agbani Darego won Miss World with a thin line. Hahahahaaa.
Stephylately
September 19, 2016 at 20:33Hey Beautiful! Hope you good. Loved reading this post.Being an up coming makeup artist, I LOVE MAKEUP and its all self taught. I have never had my makeup done for me but it would be interesting in a weird way to allow someone to paint my face only because I am particular about certain things. My Makeup woe is having used a foundation that literally melted on my face in a very disgusting way. If I had to use one makeup product it would have to be my primer. Primer is BAE.xwww.stephylately.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 20, 2016 at 20:40I’m fine Steph! And your makeup skills look so good, it’s hard to believe you’re self taught!! Really Primer? Which one would you recommend?
Funke olotu
September 20, 2016 at 13:12The price arghhh! Instead of saving in school a lot was going into makeup cause I’m the bold, in your face, I don’t care girl but with this economy I’ll be going for less,😭😂 I’m going to be fine with my foundation and powder because some time last month I ordered some products on line and they were fake! I am tiredhttps://funkeolotu.com
XOse
September 20, 2016 at 20:58I loveeeeee makeup! I have a good amount of beauty products but the good thing is most of it is affordable. I don’t see paying hundreds of dollars on makeup.When I first started wearing makeup it was eyeshadow and lipgloss, then winged liner and dark lips, now I’m much simpler. I do believe less is more. Every now and then I’ll put on a bold lip.Great post!xoSEhttp:/www.sashaelizabeth.com
Tuke Morgan
September 20, 2016 at 21:12So I actually really like makeup but I don’t beat my face everyday. I attended a make up class in the summer of 2014 because I thought it was wiser to invest in learning the art than to spend money paying make up artistes everytime there is a Grand event/wedding to attend. When I was working a 9-5, i always tried to do my eyebrows and put on some eyeliner, lip balm/tint and sometimes mascara. On days when I came to work with foundation, my colleagues knew I had gone somewhere beforehand or was going somewhere after work or during lunch. I can actually count the number of times I have done professional make up:1) my secondary school prom in 2008, my friend’s aunt paid for make up for both of us2) one time in camp when a roomie practised on my face, i took passport pictures that day and the pictures aren’t very flattering3) my mum’s 50th birthday in 20144) a natural hair shoot I had in 2015, one of the pictures i took with my sax that day is on my card :)5) my friend’s wedding in August, I was a Bridesmaid :D6) for an interview with BBC in AugustI really haven’t done professional make up that money times. I’ll rather spend that money on products that I know I would use for months. Tuke’s Quest
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 23, 2016 at 08:45It’s definitely wiser to invest in the art of learning, and that’s what I’m doing next month! Oh wow though, I didn’t think you had done professional makeup this few times. Your makeup game is actually tight. I noticed the change, when you started doing your brows. Nice!
Yummy Mum Life
September 22, 2016 at 13:26You know I love makeup bad bad.I am a very wise spender when it comes to buying and I have never never had professional makeup done but I want to see how someone else’s work will look on my face.www.CheecheeLIVE.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
September 25, 2016 at 21:47Hahahaha. I know you do! You probably should, just to see how it will turn out! Have a great week ahead Chee!
Sky
September 26, 2016 at 07:26I LOVE makeup and i’m good at applying it, except for lashes which i’ve tried like three or four times, for some reason the way my lashes are curled makes it hard to put them in. I’m conscious of them the entire time they are on, which i hate and they make me hot and sweaty too! does that happen to anyone else? They look so nice but i don’t think they are for me.For my (version of) full face, i take about 30 to 35 minutes max, much less if i’m not in the mood and just doing my eyeliner, brows and powder.The skin on my face is not great, but i wear very little foundation if ever (except when shooting for the blog), my trick is to just wear some concealer or foundation under my eyes and then ‘bake’ my entire face with regular powder. My skin appears okay then, better than with foundation even.One key part is the brows. i allowed makeup artists shape them on three occasions in the past and i regretted it every time. I HATE the uniform, precision-cut brows that most MUAs here do! Mine are feathered and slightly mussed-up and i love it that way.SkyNotFancy
Oyindamola Abbatty
November 1, 2016 at 13:45I’d say I’m average with make-up which I use to cover my spots, I like to think that if I have a flawless face I’ll use less make-up but until then I’ll never know. But really though, the cost of make-up now is getting exasperating, the exchange rate isn’t helping either.The YC blog || Bloglovin’