A trend isn’t a technique. And becoming a makeup artist in 2026\u20132027<\/strong> means much more than just learning how to apply makeup in front of a screen. <\/p>\n But has makeup really become easier these days, or have we simply gotten better at making it look easy?<\/p>\n It’s a question I often find myself asking, especially when I see how much the approach to the world of makeup has changed in recent years.<\/p>\n When I first started out, learning this trade meant, above all, observing, studying, practicing, and looking for opportunities to work. It meant being curious, checking out what other professionals were doing, trying to understand how they worked, asking questions, and very often making mistakes. There was no way to pick up a phone and, in a matter of seconds, find hundreds of tutorials created by people from all over the world. <\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”8608″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n Today we have an extraordinary opportunity that didn\u2019t exist before: we can access a vast amount of information. We can study online, follow international experts, take part in remote classes, engage with communities on the other side of the world, and continue our education even when we can\u2019t be physically present in a classroom. <\/p>\n I myself am working toward this very goal with a new online training project, because I firmly believe in the possibilities that digital technology can offer.<\/p>\n The problem arises when we confuse the tool with the craft<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Because watching a tutorial, taking an online course, or learning a technique online can be a great starting point, but becoming a makeup artist means putting everything we\u2019ve learned into practice in real life, in front of real people, real faces, and in different and often unpredictable situations. And that\u2019s exactly where, in my opinion, the real challenge lies today. <\/p>\n In 2026\u20132027, the world of makeup is going through a particularly interesting phase. After years in which we\u2019ve seen a highly constructed ideal of beauty dominate social media, we\u2019re now witnessing a return to more natural-looking skin, less-than-perfect textures, lighter foundations the so called \u201cskinimalism\u201d and \u201csoft-matte\u201d\u2014and a greater acceptance of a face\u2019s natural features. <\/p>\n At the same time, however, color is back in the spotlight, smoky eyes are making a comeback, lip looks are being reimagined, and we\u2019re seeing more expressive and creative makeup on the runways.<\/p>\n At first glance, it might seem like a contradiction. To me, however, it’s simply the way fashion and beauty evolve. <\/p>\n Trends don’t really disappear: they come back, are reinterpreted, blend with what we’ve experienced in previous years, and take on a new form.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why a professional needs to be aware of trends. They need to know what\u2019s going on; they need to observe, study, and stay up to date. But being aware of a trend doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they have to replicate it on every face. <\/p>\n I’ve been teaching for many years now, and over time, I’ve seen a profound change in the way people approach this profession.<\/p>\n These days, it\u2019s very easy to fall in love with the image of a makeup artist. On social media, we see stunning work, behind-the-scenes footage, photo shoots, products, makeovers, runway shows, and perfect photos. Everything seems fast-paced, glamorous, and instant. <\/p>\n But the real profession is much more complex than what we see on screen.<\/p>\n And that is precisely why I don’t believe in looking for the easiest path. Instead, I believe in looking for the path that allows us to grow. <\/p>\n This does not mean at all that online training is not valuable. On the contrary. If designed well, it can be an extremely important tool and can enable a great many people to learn from professionals they would otherwise never have the chance to meet. <\/p>\n But a training program\u2014whether online or in person\u2014must have one goal: to provide tools that are then put into practice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Because no video can fully replace the experience of standing face-to-face with someone who has distinctive skin, a face that\u2019s hard to read, a specific request, or perhaps an idea that\u2019s completely different from what we had imagined.<\/p>\n That’s where the real work begins.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”8609″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n The word itself says it all: makeup artist. To me, being an artist means, first and foremost, being curious. <\/p>\n Curious to learn, to see, to travel, to observe different cultures, to study the history of fashion and makeup, to watch a movie and wonder why that character was made up in just that way. It means looking at a photograph, a fashion show, or a work of art and letting yourself be inspired. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively for work and to encounter a wide variety of professional environments. Every trip, every production, and every person I\u2019ve met has left its mark on the way I work. I believe it\u2019s precisely this curiosity that makes all the difference. A makeup artist can\u2019t just stick to what they already know how to do. They must keep exploring. <\/p>\n You have to be willing to put yourself out there, to take risks, and to try new approaches. You also have to have the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Because this is a profession where you never stop learning. <\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n Keeping up with trends is important. But knowing what the customer wants is even more important. This is one of the things I’ve come to consider essential over the years. <\/p>\n A client isn’t just a face on which we have to demonstrate our technique. She is a person with her own personality, her own way of seeing herself, her own expectations, habits, and often even little insecurities. <\/p>\n We need to understand what she\u2019s asking of us, but also know when a particular solution isn\u2019t right for her. We need to get to know the face in front of us and find a way to bring out its best without necessarily turning it into something we\u2019ve seen on social media. <\/p>\n Even technically perfect makeup can look wrong if it doesn’t suit the person wearing it. That’s why, before we even choose a color or a technique, we need to learn how to observe. <\/p>\n Morphology, color theory, skin texture, proportions, light, age, style, and personality become the tools through which we can shape our work.<\/p>\n There\u2019s another topic that\u2019s being discussed a lot these days, especially on social media: becoming the best version of yourself. It may sound like a clich\u00e9, but in our line of work, I believe it has a very concrete meaning. To become professionals, we must learn to know ourselves. We need to understand what our strengths are, where we excel, and where we still need to improve. We also need to learn to embrace feedback. <\/p>\n We can’t be the best at everything, and we shouldn’t be afraid to admit it. Throughout my career, I\u2019ve worked alongside people who were better than me at certain things, and I\u2019ve learned from them. I consider this perfectly normal. A professional doesn\u2019t stop being a professional just because they recognize someone else\u2019s talent. On the contrary, they can become even better precisely because they keep learning. <\/p>\n The problem arises when comparison turns into judgment. We live in an age where it has become incredibly easy to judge. All it takes is a screen to comment on someone else\u2019s work, appearance, or choices. But destructive judgment doesn\u2019t help anyone grow. <\/p>\n At work, just as in human relationships, I think it\u2019s much more useful to learn to observe, understand, take what we need, and keep building our own path. Ultimately, the real goal shouldn\u2019t be to become someone else. It should be to become the best version of ourselves<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Every professional with years of experience behind them had to start somewhere. There are no shortcuts that can completely replace experience. You learn through school, through personal study, by following the best, by observing, by practicing, and then by working. And often, you start right at the bottom. <\/p>\n It\u2019s the time when we learn to function in a professional setting, to meet deadlines, to collaborate with others, to handle unexpected situations, and to realize that real-world work is very different from what we imagine when we still know it only in theory.<\/p>\n A school should provide the foundation and tools needed to embark on this journey. Then you have to keep going. And that is also why I believe it is important today to be able to use both traditional and digital learning methods. The methods may change, but the principle remains the same: study so you can work better. <\/p>\n One of the greatest joys I’ve experienced in my many years of teaching is being able to call on a former student of mine for a job.<\/p>\n It always gives me great pleasure. Because it means that person has started to forge their own path. <\/p>\n He took what he had learned, processed it, blended it with his own experiences, and began to shape his own talent. And that is exactly what a good education should do: not create copies of the teacher, but help each person find their own professional identity. <\/p>\n When I see a former student of mine at work and recognize in her skills something that stems from the journey we took together, I feel a sense of satisfaction that\u2019s hard to explain. But I\u2019m even happier when I see that she has become someone different from me. Because that means she has found her own path. <\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”8620″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n When we choose to make makeup our career, we need to remember one very simple thing: our work exists thanks to the people who choose to put their trust in us.<\/p>\n We may have dozens or even hundreds of them in a year, each with a different personality. This forces us to grow as people as well. We must learn to listen, communicate, respect others, be punctual, organized, and reliable. We must know how to handle different situations and stay calm when things don\u2019t go according to plan. <\/p>\n Above all, we must be technically prepared. We are technical professionals, and we must strive for excellence in everything we do. Creativity is essential, of course. But without technical preparation, it risks remaining just an idea. Technical skill allows us to turn an idea into a tangible result. <\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n There is also one aspect of our work that I consider increasingly important: privacy.<\/p>\n We live in an age where “let’s meddle in other people’s business” is the norm. Everything is photographed, recounted, and published. Every moment can become content. <\/p>\n This is someone who chose us and placed their trust in us. In my line of work, I\u2019ve worked\u2014and continue to work\u2014with well-known figures, VIPs, and international clients. In these situations, I\u2019ve learned even more just how important discretion is. Not everything that happens during a job needs to end up on social media. Not everything needs to be photographed and shared. Sometimes the most professional thing we can do is simply not to post it. <\/p>\n The trust a client places in us is worth much more than an Instagram story. I believe this, too, is part of our professional training. <\/p>\n I don’t think the future of makeup has to be a choice between the real world and the digital world.<\/p>\n We\u2019re fortunate to live in a time when we can make use of both. We can study online and then put what we\u2019ve learned into practice. We can follow a professional on the other side of the world and then exchange ideas with a colleague who works in our city. We can use social media to showcase our work, our style, and our skills. We can use technology to learn, stay up to date, and communicate. <\/p>\n But we must remember that digital technology should be a tool, not our only professional environment. Because makeup is all about people, faces, hands, relationships, experience, and above all, the ability to adapt to what we\u2019re working with. <\/p>\n Perhaps that\u2019s exactly where I started. Makeup seems simpler today because we\u2019ve learned to present it so well. We see the final result: the edited video, the perfect lighting, the flawless skin, the precise technique. <\/p>\n But behind that gesture when true professionalism is at work there are years of study and experience. There are mistakes, there are difficult days, there are different clients, there are projects no one will ever see, there are hours spent studying and practicing, there are trips, meetings, collaborations, observation, and a lot of hard work\u2014and above all, there must be a thirst for learning. <\/p>\n That cannot be replaced by an algorithm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Trends will continue to change. Today we’ll talk about skinimalism; tomorrow another trend will resurface; and the day after tomorrow, we’ll probably bring back something we thought was gone for good. <\/p>\n Products will change. Technologies, social media, communication methods, and even the way we conduct training will change. <\/p>\n Curiosity, technical skill, experience, respect for the client, the ability to listen, discretion, a willingness to take on new challenges, and the ability to continually improve.<\/p>\n Because after so many years in this line of work, I’m more and more convinced that a true professional isn’t someone who already knows everything. It’s someone who, despite years of experience, still wants to learn something new<\/strong>. <\/p>\n And perhaps that is precisely the most wonderful thing about our profession: knowing that, with every new face, every new project, and every new experience, we can become just a little better than we were yesterday.<\/p>\n Trends come and go. The makeup artist’s professionalism remains.<\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-2026-2027"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8627"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8633,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8627\/revisions\/8633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samanthapeluso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}A tutorial doesn’t make you a makeup artist: here’s what really makes the difference<\/h2>\n
The problem, then, isn’t the web<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Makeup trends are constantly changing, but professionalism remains the same<\/h2>\n
\n
The Risk of Always Taking the Easy Way Out<\/h2>\n
Being a makeup artist in 2026\u20132027 means being curious<\/h2>\n
People always come before trends<\/h2>\n
Our job is to listen to her<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The trend comes after<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Knowing oneself is part of the profession<\/h2>\n
Working your way up is part of being a makeup artist<\/h2>\n
Working your way up isn’t a waste of time<\/strong><\/h3>\n
When a Student Becomes a Colleague<\/h2>\n
The customer is our real boss<\/h2>\n
And we don’t have a single customer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Discretion is also a mark of professionalism<\/h2>\n
But the customer isn’t included<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The future of makeup isn’t at odds with digital technology<\/h2>\n
I think exactly the opposite<\/strong><\/h3>\n
In 2026\u20132027, we don’t need less social media. We need more professionals. <\/h2>\n
But some things will continue to have value<\/strong><\/h3>\n