Yesterday was colour blind awaress day and I tried to do that. Raise awareness. The main focus was on students who are colour blind, but I did post a video about my whole makeup application process and what I, as an achromat, find difficult.

Struggling

Foundation/concealer

I cannot pick a shade for my skin. Whatever I use is based on what a makeup artist or sales assistant has chosen for me. I am OK with that. They are helpful. I can see if the foundation/ concealer is full or medium coverage, but I cannot see if it goes orange, if it is a cool or warm undertone.

Eye shadows

I cannot see the colours. I mean, I can see them, but not really “see” them the way you do. That is why I have ranted over and over about cosmetics companies and how they name their products. I need a clear colour name. Dark brown, light shimmery pink. What I do not need is a name like showery rainbow or unicorn breathe. That says nothing to me. It does not help me buy an eye shadow and in all fairness, it drives me away from purchasing a product with a random name. Now, as far as pigmentation is concerned, the lighter the shade, the harder it is for me to see it on my eyelid.

Lippies

Same as above. I have no idea what I am buying

But

I can see if it looks nice on me, or at least I think I can.

If you want to hear more about this, do watch my video, where I also talk about cb students and teachers.

Thanks for stopping by.

Xx

Jo

Hi!!!

Today I am going to share with you some makeup tips on how to apply makeup if you have difficulty seeing. I have various eye problems. I am colourblind, I am short sighted and a few more things.  All this makes my vision quite problematic, but I have found solutions to help me wear makeup even though I cannot see that well. You see for many years, I did not wear eye makeup or contoured cause I was scared I’d look like a freakin clown, but now I am more comfortable wearing it, and I do do quite well!! So, here goes. My words of wisdom!

Tip Number 1

Sure, you don’t want to be asking for help all the time when shopping but you kinda have to, so this is me giving you a nudge and telling you. Also, the beautician/ sales assistants job is to help you choose makeup

You need help, so don’t be shy. Just ask.

Tip Number 2

A friend in need, is a friend indeed. Go makeup shopping with someone you trust and a girlfriend whose makeup look you like!! She will deffo be able to give you good advice on what to buy and if it suits you or if you are applying it well. I have D for that. I always go makeup shopping with her!!!

OK!! If you are shy and do not want to ask for help or if no one is around, then time for tip number 3

Look up reviews of whatever you are thinking of buying then and there (Deirdre taught me that too!!). What d I mean? True story: I was in Boots today and saw a lipstick by Rimmel called Vintage Pink, so I thought, “OK! It is pink (dah!!) and vintage (?!?!?!?!)” So, I went online in Boots and googled Rimmel Vintage Pink reviews and loads of stuff came up. What I needed came up as well. The actual description of the colour (mauve), so I got it. Google was my bestie in this case!!

Practice makes perfect

When you are home and have some makeup on, try out the new looks you want to try. That way you will have a trial and see if a look works for you or if you will totally mess up. Trying the ‘new look’ before an important date etc. will save you from a lot of misery if something goes wrong on the actual time you will need this look.

Also, use Pinterest to find makeup looks you like and then blow up the pictures so they are bigger. Same of course applies to blog posts with pictures.

Get your makeup done professionally and learn

Whenever I hear that a makeup artist can do my makeup for me, I go for it. I ask them what they use on me and if I need anything I buy it. They also give great tips and some times guide you on how to do your makeup yourself!

Applying Makeup

Keep it simple

Sure you like to use loads of stuff on your face and imitate what you see online, but it is not that easy. That’s why I always choose simple makeup looks that don’t require a lot of combinations and blending.I also avoid shades that are too dark because mistakes are not forgiven in these cases. Extra tip: Applying makeup on the eyes is harder than other stuff that’s why I focus more on the lips. Bolder lip and simple eye look.

Get your makeup done by a professional (here: Burberry did my  brows/ eyes)

Measure

If you decide to use different eye shadows on your eyes, it is a good idea to ‘measure’ where one  shade stops and the other begins. That way you will avoid having too much of one shadow on one eye and less on the other. I use my iris as a compass or even like a little ruler/pencil something to give me a sense of length. Applying makeup is like maths. I have also found counting brush strokes very helpful. So, I apply a bit of blush on one cheek and apply the same on the other one. If I use my blush brush two time on one cheek, I use it two times on the other.And again ‘measuring’. Where did I stop with my blush? Where did I use bronzer. Loads of geometry!!

Some people use sticky tape, a post-it note or a business card where they want their eye makeup to stop. You can try that and see if it works for you (I don’t do that).

A magnifying mirror may also help cause it gives you a close up of whatever you are doing to your face!! It is also great when you are ding your brows!!

Extra tip: I also use eye shadows that are in sticks/ pencils. They do not have fall out like eye shadows do. You will not have eye shadow under your eyes! Brands that do this: Lancome, Clinique, Makeupforever, Bourjois, No7 and many more. Makeup forever, Lancome and No7 make eye-shadow pencils that do not budge. They are quite permanent.

For the CB gal

CB (aka Colourblind). Well, apart from everything else I have mentioned, something I do is I label all my makeup products and write the colour on the packaging. Sure, the lipstick looks a bit odd but it is very helpful!!

Also, do a bit of research into your colours. Find out if you have a cool or warm skin tone and what shades match your skin. Once you have that information, go shopping :).

Brands that are good with colour descriptions

Well, I bought a TooFaced Contouring palette that has the colour written on top, so I know which shade is dark and what is light. There is also a pamphlet that shows you what you are supposed to use where.

Clinique does some eye shadow pencils that have the name of the colour on them. So does Bourjois. You may want to check them out. Number 7 at Boots has single eye shadows and some of them have the proper name on them, others don’t.

Unfortunately, makeup companies do not really care about us colourblind girls and insist on naming their products with random names instead of the proper ones, so girls,hope these tips help you out. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

Me against cosmetics companies

I feel like a gal on a mission :). I have sent loads of tweets to the biggest cosmetics companies regarding their products and how they name them, but nothing has come of it. Unfortunately, I do not have a zillion followers, so I do not count. It is kind of a discrimination, don’t you think? 

BUT

I did approach Essie (they actually replied!) and asked if they would do a line that would name the nail polish based on the colour like red for…. red! But nothing happened. L’oreal Mexico made a lipstick commercial that focused on the CB male who saw his partner’s red lippie for the first time which is quite cool, of course when I asked what about the cb gals? Nothing.

FYI I have not found a single company that gives great colour descriptions. If you have, please let me know in the comments below! I will keep trying!!

So, there you have it ladies some ideas/ tips on how to wear makeup when your eyesight is not that grand. Do you have any other tips?

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Happy  makeup-ing ❤ ❤

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