7 Hills I Would Die On - Make-up Edition

If you’ve spent enough time around makeup, you eventually develop a few very strong opinions.

Not rules, exactly. More like those little makeup beliefs you find yourself repeating to every client, every friend, and occasionally anyone who will listen. After years of experimenting with makeup and eventually creating my own beauty space at Samah M Beauty, I’ve definitely collected a few.

So, in no particular order, here are seven makeup hills I would happily die on.

First: skin should still look like skin.

I love a beautiful, perfected complexion as much as anyone, but I don't think your skin needs to look completely airbrushed to be considered good makeup. Real skin has texture. It has pores, little imperfections, and character.

For me, the magic is in finding that balance between looking polished and still looking like yourself. Especially when you're sitting in my chair at Samah M Beauty, I want you to leave looking like the best version of you — not like you've borrowed somebody else's face.

Second: more makeup doesn't always mean better makeup.

There is a time and place for full glam, and believe me, I love it. But sometimes the most beautiful makeup is surprisingly simple.

A beautiful base, thoughtfully placed blush, softly defined eyes and the right lip can be enough. Makeup isn't a competition to see how many products we can fit onto one face. It's about knowing what to use, where to use it and, perhaps most importantly, when to stop.

Third: blush is seriously underrated.

I will stand by this one forever.

The right blush can completely transform a makeup look. It brings life back into the face, adds dimension and somehow makes everything else look better.

Whether it's a soft peach, a rosy pink or something a little deeper and more dramatic, I genuinely believe most makeup looks benefit from a little colour on the cheeks.

And if you've ever sat in my chair and thought, “Is that enough blush?” — the answer is probably no.

Fourth: your makeup artist should actually listen to you.

This might sound obvious, but it's incredibly important.

Every person who sits in my chair has a different idea of what makes them feel beautiful. One person might want barely-there makeup, while another wants full, glamorous, “I have somewhere very important to be” makeup.

Neither is more correct.

At Samah M Beauty, I want the conversation to be part of the experience. Tell me what you love, what you don't love, show me your inspiration pictures, tell me what you've tried before — even if you don't know the makeup terminology. It's my job to translate all of that into a look that works 

Fifth: Your makeup should look good in real life, not just in photos.

There is a difference between makeup that looks incredible under a ring light and makeup that looks beautiful when you're sitting across from someone.

I’m all for a little extra definition when you're getting photographed, but makeup shouldn't only work from six feet away or through an Instagram filter. I want it to look beautiful when you walk into a room, when you're laughing with your friends, when you're looking in the mirror — and yes, when someone is standing very close to you.

Especially for bridal and event makeup, this is something I think about a lot. Your makeup has to survive real life: conversations, hugs, happy tears, dancing, food, photographs and several hours of being fabulous.

Sixth: not every makeup trend is meant for everyone.

I love a good beauty trend. I'm always interested in what's happening in the makeup world, and experimenting is half the fun.

But there is a difference between loving a trend and feeling like you have to wear it.

Just because something looks incredible on someone else doesn't mean it will necessarily make you feel your best. Your features, your personal style, your outfit and the occasion all matter.

Trends are temporary. Feeling beautiful in your makeup is much more important.

And finally: the best makeup is the makeup that still feels like you.

This is probably the biggest hill of them all.

I've always believed that makeup should add to you, not take you away from yourself.

Whether you're getting ready for a wedding, a special dinner, a photoshoot or simply want to feel a little more glamorous on an ordinary day, I want you to look in the mirror and still recognize yourself — just with that little extra confidence that good makeup can bring.

That's ultimately what I hope to create at Samah M Beauty: a space where beauty feels personal rather than prescriptive. Where you can experiment, get glammed up, try something new, or simply enhance what you already love about yourself.

Because at the end of the day, makeup washes off.

But feeling beautiful in your own skin? That's the part worth keeping.