It’s a question people often ask:
The short answer? Not every makeup artist wants to teach, is trained to teach, or
even should teach.
Here’s why that’s perfectly okay—and even important for the industry.
1. Teaching Is a Separate Skill
Just because someone is a talented artist doesn’t mean they’re automatically a good
teacher. Teaching requires breaking techniques into clear steps. It involves explaining
why you do things, not just what you do. It means adapting to different learning styles.
Many incredible artists are highly intuitive or visual. They might do things from muscle
memory that are hard to verbalize. And that’s okay—they’re focused on doing, not
teaching.
2️. Protecting Their Unique Style
Some artists have signature styles, techniques, or product combinations that set them
apart in their market. They’ve spent years (sometimes decades) developing those
secrets. Not everyone wants to give them away for free—or even at all. This isn’t
“gatekeeping” out of spite. It’s protecting their brand, business, and competitive edge.
Just as a chef might not share their signature recipe, a makeup artist is entitled to keep
their artistry proprietary.
3️. Time and Business Priorities
Teaching is a different business model. It takes time to plan classes or workshops. It
requires organizing materials, models, marketing, and logistics. It can involve
certification, insurance, and liability. Some artists simply want to focus on serving their
clients. Their joy is in transforming faces, not managing classes.
4️. Energy and Personality
Let’s be honest: teaching isn’t for everyone. It takes patience, enthusiasm, and
communication. It can be emotionally draining—especially for introverts or highly
detail-focused artists. Some makeup artists love the quiet, focused artistry of one-onone work. Pushing them to teach would make them (and their students) miserable!
5️. Demand vs. Supply
Not every client base wants lessons. Many clients prefer to pay for professional
application for big events. Others want one-time lessons, but not at the frequency that makes teaching a full-time service. Artists often decide to focus where the demand is strongest—and for many, that’s booking appointments, not classes.
Why It’s Okay Not to Teach
There’s a myth that “real professionals should want to teach.”
But the truth is: Being a teacher is a choice and a calling, not a requirement.
Artists are allowed to choose how they share their talent. Clients benefit from artists
who are laser-focused on providing great service. Those who do choose to teach often
do it brilliantly and passionately—because it’s voluntary, not forced.
The best part?
There are artists who love to teach—and they make fantastic educators! They run
masterclasses and one-on-one lessons. They share tutorials online. They nurture the
next generation of talent. But for those who don’t? That’s just as valid.
I’m proud to do both. I love transforming clients for their most important moments and
sharing my expertise with those who want to learn. Whether you’re looking to book a
professional makeup session or learn the skills yourself, I’d be honoured to help you
look and feel your very best.
