In an age of endless beauty tutorials and educational content online, it’s easy to believe that mastering makeup is just a matter of watching enough YouTube or TikTok. But if you've ever tried to follow along at home, only to end up frustrated, overwhelmed, or confused about why your results don’t quite match what you’re seeing on screen—you’re not alone.
There’s something essential missing from the DIY digital beauty experience: human interaction, real-time feedback and tailored support customized to you.
When you’re learning makeup in person, you’re not just picking up a handful of techniques—you’re walking through a full learning arc, from beginning to end. You start by understanding your unique features, your current routine, and what’s working (or not). You get the chance to ask questions in the moment, to experiment, and most importantly, to feel what it's like to get it right.
What makes in-person makeup lessons so powerful is how customized they are. If for example you live in Calgary and struggle with dry, dehydrated skin nine months of the year, why waste time learning techniques meant for oily complexions in humid climates? Online tutorials rarely mention how your skin might respond in -20° windchill! In person, we can talk about exactly what works for you—from foundation formulas to brow products that won’t disappear under your toque.
Then there's the physicality of makeup—the angles, the pressure, how you hold your brush, how your hand moves across your face. These small things are everything, and yet, they’re nearly impossible to troubleshoot when you’re learning on your own. You might not even realize that tilting your chin a certain way makes your eyeliner go wonky, or that you're applying blush with too much pressure—until someone gently points it out and helps you correct it in real time.
It reminds me a lot of the African drumming lessons I’ve been taking recently. We’re learning traditional rhythms that are incredibly layered, and at first, I thought I could just follow the beat and copy the sound. But it wasn’t until my teacher came over and watched my hands—really watched—that I started to understand where I was getting stuck. She could hear when something was off, and more importantly, see it in my hands. One week, she even placed mirrors in front of all of us so we could watch how our two hands were actually moving.
It’s the same approach I take when teaching makeup: we sit side by side, facing a big mirror, observing together. I can see how your hands move, how you hold your brush, what feels awkward or unfamiliar. And from there, I can guide you to something that feels better, smoother, more aligned with the look you’re going for.
Makeup is a skill, just like drumming. It takes practice, repetition, and feedback to get better. And while we all learn differently, the vast majority of us improve most through hands-on, in-person learning. Not by passively watching someone else apply their makeup to a completely different face, with different skin, in a different climate, using tools you don’t have.
When you piece together your beauty education from a thousand disconnected sources, you’re essentially trying to build a puzzle without the box cover. You might get some of the pieces in the right place, but it’s exhausting—and it rarely comes together in a way that feels coherent or confident.
In person, the process becomes collaborative. There’s no guessing, no wondering if you’re doing it right. You get to ask questions as they arise, learn by doing, and leave with a clear understanding of your face, your routine, and how to bring out your best features with confidence.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your makeup routine, unsure of where to start, or tired of wasting money on products that don’t seem to work for you—maybe it’s time to step away from the screen and in front of a mirror, side-by-side with someone who can help you truly see yourself.
Ready to finally feel confident with your makeup?
Book a private 1:1 makeup lesson or join one of my small group sessions at Prête Studio in Calgary. Whether you're looking to refresh your routine, learn new techniques, or finally understand what actually works for you, I’ll guide you every step of the way—with warmth and expertise.
💄 [Book your lesson now] or send me a message to find the perfect time. Let’s make your makeup routine feel effortless, beautiful, and entirely your own.
