Color Theory Overview

Color Theory

• Hue: Pure color, differentiates colors (e.g., red vs. blue)
• Intensity: Vividness or brightness of a color
• Value: Lightness or darkness of a color
• Tint: Adding white to a color (highest value)
• Shade: Adding black to a color (lowest value)
• Tone: Adding gray to a color (middle value)
• Primary Colors: Red, blue, yellow
• Secondary Colors: Orange, green, violet
• Complementary Colors: Colors opposite on the color wheel (e.g., red and green)
• Cool Hues: Blue-based colors (blue, violet, green)
• Warm Hues: Yellow-based colors (red, orange, peach)
• Skin Complexion Descriptors:
  • Ruddy: Red or flushed
  • Sallow: Yellowish or pale
• Best/Worst Colors for Skin Tones:
  • Warm Undertones (Peach/Golden): Peaches, corals, golden browns, rusts
  • Cool Undertones (Bluish-Pink, Olive): Blues, violets, cherry reds, and fuchsias
  • Neutral Colors: Suited for most, not strongly blue or yellow-based

Preparing the Canvas

• Undertone vs. Overtone:
  • Undertone: Subtle hue (warm, cool, neutral), doesn't change
  • Overtone: Surface skin color (e.g., redness, tanning) that may change
• Swatching/Testing Foundation:
  • Best areas: Neck or jawline
  • Avoid: Wrists, hands, forehead
• Order of Application:
  • Primer/Moisturizer
  • Skin Tone Correctors (optional)
  • Foundation
  • Concealer (before or after foundation)
  • Powder
• Objectives of Foundation:
  • Protect skin (often contains sunscreen)
  • Even out skin tone
  • Hide imperfections
  • Create a base for makeup

Skin Tone Correctors

• Green: Cancels redness (acne, rosacea)
• Pink: Brightens dull complexions
• Lavender: Neutralizes sallowness
• Yellow/Orange: Corrects blue or greenish under-eye darkness
• Application Tips:
  • For Asian/dark skin, always mix with foundation
  • Can be used before foundation or mixed with it for Caucasian skin

Concealers

• Has higher pigment concentration than foundation
• Available in various types (pot, stick, tube)
• Uses: Hiding dark circles, scars, pigmentation, and skin conditions
• Application Tips:
  • Apply in a stippling/patting motion to blend
  • Yellow undertones best for under-eye darkness
  • "Hollywood V Technique" for face shaping

Contouring & Highlighting

• Main Objectives:
  • Highlighting (matte or iridescent): Brings features forward
  • Contouring (matte only): Creates depth
  • Sculpting: Combination of highlighting and contouring
• Common Uses: Correcting facial proportions (short forehead, receding chin, etc.) and enhancing natural bone structure (cheekbones, jawline, etc.)

Bones of the Face & Corrective Techniques

• Facial Bone Structure: 14 bones, 13 fixed, 1 movable (mandible)
• Zygomatic (Cheekbones): Key for contouring, found by pressing on cheek area, enhances contour
• Mandible (Jawbone): Defines jawline contour
• Orbital (Eye Sockets): Determines eye makeup corrections
• Temporal (Temples): Can be contoured for a slimmer face effect
• Facial Proportions & Zones:
  • Three Zones: Frontal, Middle, Lower
  • Facial Profile Types: Straight, Convex, Concave
  • Oval Face Proportions: Width = 5 eye lengths

Blush Application

• Purpose: To give complexion a healthy glow
• General Guidelines:
  • Apply from outer cheek toward center
  • Use imaginary lines from pupils to nose base to determine placement
  • Different application types for different face shapes (Long/Narrow, Short/Round, Square, Heart, Pear)

Lighting & Makeup

• Different light sources affect makeup perception
• Adjust color choices accordingly

Eye Makeup & Corrections

• 5 Points of Eye Analysis: Size, shape, spacing, balance
• Corrective Techniques: Close-set eyes (light inside, dark outside), wide-set eyes (dark inside, light outside), deep-set eyes (light on lids, dark in crease), protruding eyes (matte, dark shades), hooded eyes (dark on hood, highlight brow bone)

Eyebrows & Corrections

• 3 Key Brow Points: Start, Arch, End
• Corrections: Round, Square, Long, Short, Wide, Narrow

Key Qualities of a Successful Makeup Artist

• Artistic Skill: Enhance features
• Client Engagement: Know trends and product recommendations
• Observation Skills: Assess client's best features, skin type, tone, face shape, and problem areas