Red flags to look out for when getting professional makeup done

Business Insider asked skilled makeup professionals to share their insights. Here are seven red flags to look out for when applying makeup.

Makeup artists should ask a lot of questions

Hollywood makeup artist Alyssa McGinley emphasized the importance of both artist and client being on the same page.

“If your artist doesn’t ask a lot of questions, it can be hard to be sure you’ll feel safe and satisfied with your service,” she said.

She recommends looking for artists who ask about topical allergies and sensitivities, as well as the occasion, your wardrobe, and the makeup you wear every day.

The artist may also want to know additional details about the event you are attending, such as whether it is indoors or outdoors.

“These details may seem insignificant, but the answers to those questions can have a huge impact on the products and techniques the artist will use and ensure your happiness with their services,” McGinley said.

All brushes and tools must be properly sanitized

“Doing your makeup can be such a fun experience, but the artist is dealing with very sensitive parts of your body, like your eyes and mouth,” McGinley said. “It’s their job to make sure you’re protected from infection and irritation.”

McGinley suggests looking for dirty brushes, sponges, or application tools—they should be mostly free of smudges or product build-up. There should also be visible sanitizing materials such as alcohol sprays, wipes and brush cleaners.

If your artist is working on a metal, glass, or acrylic palette, it should be free of product, sprayed with alcohol, and wiped clean before use.

Makeup artists should also have a collection of disposable application tools

“Beware of artists applying any product directly from the container to the face, especially when working with cream products such as lipstick, foundation and mascara,” McGinley said. “The product should never be applied directly to the skin as cream products can harbor bacteria and transmit infections.”

For this reason, makeup artists should have a collection of disposable application tools, including lip and mascara wands, powder and sponges.

Jazmin Sykes, a makeup artist and educator in Arizona, agreed, saying there should only be one dip for each disposable applicator to ensure cleanliness and sanitation.

Consider working with someone who doesn’t have an accurate portfolio of their work

According to McGinley, “Not every artist is going to have a perfectly curated Instagram feed, but there should always be a source you can tap into that showcases the artist’s collection of work.”

She recommends looking for social media profiles or websites with photo and video examples of their work.

However, when looking at an artist’s Instagram page, Sykes suggested staying vigilant and checking if the photos look filtered.

“Look on Instagram to see their work and most importantly, click on the tagged tab to see what other people have posted about their work,” Sykes said. “Their homepage can be perfectly edited with filters to look nice, but the tagged tab will show what customers have posted.”

Beware of makeup artists who are not responsive or communicative

McGinley cautioned against working with makeup artists who aren’t punctual with their responses leading up to your services.

For big events in particular, there should be plenty of communication beforehand to make sure everyone is on time.

“Everyone has a busy schedule, but be aware of last-minute rescheduling, cancellations or long periods of time without communication,” she said.

A makeup artist should never ask a client to bring their own makeup

According to Sykes, when a makeup artist asks the client to bring their own products, it’s a sign that the artist is not fully knowledgeable or confident in foundation matching or color theory.

“Requiring the client to provide their own makeup shows unprofessionalism,” Sykes said.

Instead, makeup artists should come prepared with products for every skin type and shade.

“The only exception where someone should or can provide their own product is for a skin sensitivity or medical condition,” she added.

It is best to have a written agreement, especially for special events

Depending on the occasion and the services requested, written consent may not always be necessary. But for important events like a wedding, it’s always best to have a written contract or agreement.

McGinley said the agreement should outline the services you expect to receive, a clear date and time, a breakdown of costs and a cancellation policy.