Makeup and Beauty Enhancement
Makeup questions test face-shape correction, colour theory and hygiene as much as application. Expect questions on undertone, foundation matching, corrective colours and the order of products.
Rules
- Face shapes: oval, round, square, heart, oblong, diamond and triangle. Darker shading recedes and lighter highlighting brings forward; blend well to avoid stripes.
- Undertone: warm (golden), cool (pink or blue) or neutral. Match foundation on the jawline in natural daylight, never on the back of the hand.
- Corrective colours: green neutralises redness, peach or orange counters blue-brown dark circles, lavender lifts sallow yellow, and yellow disguises purple bruising.
- Order: skincare and primer, foundation, concealer, setting powder, eyes and brows, blush or bronzer, lips. Build in thin layers.
- Hygiene: sharpen pencils between clients, wash or replace brushes, take product with a spatula, never double-dip mascara, discard expired products.
Worked example
A client with a cool undertone has redness across the cheeks and wants a natural finish. Reasoning: a green corrector applied only to the red areas neutralises the redness; a warm-toned foundation would make the face look orange next to the neck. Choose a neutral-to-cool foundation matched at the jaw, sheer coverage, and a cool pink cream blush rather than warm terracotta.
Traps
Testing foundation on the wrist; applying green over the whole face; matching in warm salon lighting; using the same mascara wand on two clients; over-powdering dry skin.