What I Learned from a Beauty Book from 1982

Last summer, during one of my deep dives into long-form beauty content, I stumbled across a beauty book from 1982. It was one of those vintage finds with slightly yellowed pages, dated cover art, and that irresistible promise of “secrets to timeless beauty.” I picked it up more out of curiosity than anything else—I mean, how relevant could makeup advice from the early ’80s possibly be in a world of Instagram tutorials and influencer culture? I always love studying makeup of course!

Turns out, very relevant.

In fact, the core makeup techniques in that book were almost identical to what I use today as a professional makeup artist. The way you contour a cheekbone, the placement of blush to lift the face, the importance of blending—none of that has changed. The fundamentals of enhancing natural beauty with strategic product placement and an understanding of light and shadow? Same as it ever was.

And that’s what really struck me — because even though the techniques haven’t changed, the experience of discovering makeup has.

It’s that you’ve been sold the idea that makeup is about products being the magical cure, not about the techniques and understanding your face and what products actually work for your goals.

Remember When Makeup Was Fun?

Reading that book took me right back to the mall in the 90’s, standing at the makeup counter with my friends.

The excitement of swiping on a new lipstick and seeing how it looked under those bright department store lights. Letting the sales associate try a new blush on you and thinking, Wow, I’ve never seen myself like this before!

You could sit down, let them match your shade, and walk away feeling like you’d just unlocked a new side of yourself.

It was fun. It wasn’t about finding the “perfect” product — it was about discovering what made you feel good. You could say no, thank you and walk away with a sample, or you could pick up a new lipstick and feel like you’d just given yourself a little boost.

That experience — playing with makeup, trying on shades, and learning from someone in person — was exactly what that 1982 book reflected. The techniques weren’t complicated or product-driven — they were about balance, placement, and enhancing your natural beauty. It was about skill, not stuff.

But somewhere along the way, that joy disappeared.

The Rise of Influencer Culture

That’s the difference between then and now. The techniques haven’t really changed — but the way we’re discovering makeup has.

Today, makeup doesn’t feel like an experience — it feels like a transaction.

Influencers have created this idea that you’re doing it wrong unless you’re following the exact steps they show you. Suddenly there’s a “right” way to apply blush, a “wrong” way to set your makeup, and endless opinions on whether or not you should be baking, strobing, or using a powder puff. It’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed. They are missing a ton of information.

And honestly? It’s no wonder you’re stressed.

You’ve been let down more times than you can count.

How many times have you seen a product on TikTok or Instagram that promised to be the one — the foundation that wouldn’t crease, the concealer that would last 12 hours, the blush that would give you that “lit from within” glow — only to find that it looked terrible on you? Or that it oxidized? Or that it completely disappeared after two hours?

Of course you’re frustrated. Of course you feel like your makeup routine isn’t working.

Because influencer recommendations weren’t made for you.

They were made for the influencer’s lighting, their skin type, their bone structure — not yours (and their pocketbook). That’s why it’s not working.

Why Working Face-to-Face Still Matters

And that’s why working face-to-face with a pro is the missing piece.

Makeup is personal. You have to feel the texture of a product, see how it sits on your skin, and adjust the placement to suit your features. That’s the magic of working with a professional — they’re not just selling you a product; they’re showing you how to make it work for you.

That’s why the 1982 book still holds up. Because good makeup has never been about products — it’s been about knowing how to work with your face.

It’s the same reason those department store beauty counters used to feel so exciting — because you could try on shades, test formulas, and have someone guide you through the process in real time. The beauty counter gave you a space to play and explore — not just consume.

And here’s the best part: You don’t have to buy anything (but it would be a lot easier than going off some random thing you saw online).

That’s why I keep product and technique appointments separate. When we’re focusing on technique, it’s about helping you understand what works for your face — not what’s trending. If you want to explore products afterward, that’s a separate conversation — no pressure, no agenda. Just clarity and confidence.

You can sit down, explore products, try on shades — and walk away without pressure. The goal isn’t to make a sale — it’s to help you figure out what actually works.

That’s the part that influencer culture has stolen from us — the ability to explore without guilt.

Makeup should feel like play — not pressure.

Overconsumption Has Made Us Afraid to Explore

But influencer culture has turned makeup into a race.

The influencer machine thrives on creating a sense of lack. You don’t just need a foundation—you need this foundation. Oh, but now you need a primer for it. And a setting powder. And a setting spray. And wait—this new launch is better than the one you bought two months ago. Now you need that one, too.

It’s not your fault if your makeup routine feels overcomplicated — that’s exactly how the system is designed.

But it doesn’t have to feel that way.

You can explore without the pressure.
You can try shades before you buy.
You can let someone show you how to apply it and see how it actually feels on your skin.

Just like at the makeup counter — just like the advice from the 1982 book — you don’t have to buy into the hype. You can just explore.

What’s Actually Changed

So, what did I really learn from that 1982 beauty book?

✨ The goals haven’t changed. People still want to feel confident, put-together, and enhanced—not masked. The point has always been to feel good in your own skin.

✨ The techniques haven’t changed. Highlighting and contouring existed long before it was given a catchy name. Proper blending and understanding your own bone structure will always win over trends.

✨ Marketing has changed. The cycle of new launches, influencer hype, and product FOMO has turned makeup into a consumer trap instead of an art form.

Stop Chasing Products

At some point, it’s worth asking: Do I actually need this?

Makeup isn’t about a 32-step routine. It’s not about owning a drawer full of unopened foundations or layering six products on your skin just because TikTok told you to. It’s about feeling beautiful and confident.

If the products and techniques you’ve been trying over and over again aren’t working — it’s not you.

Again, it’s that you’ve been sold the idea that makeup is about products being the magical cure, not about the techniques and understanding your face and what products actually work for your skin.

That’s why working with someone in real life changes everything.

You can explore without the pressure.
You can try shades before you buy.
You can let someone show you how to apply it and see how it actually feels on your skin.

Makeup should feel like play — not pressure.

Ready to Rediscover the Fun of Makeup?

If you’re ready to stop chasing the next big thing online and want to rediscover the fun of makeup, join me for The Beauty Breakthrough — my signature makeup lesson right in my cozy, no judgement zone, Austin makeup studio designed to help you master your everyday look. We’ll focus on practical techniques that actually work — no influencer gimmicks required.

Or, if your beauty drawer feels like chaos and you need help figuring out what to keep and what to ditch, book a Product RX session. I’ll help you simplify your routine and build a beauty bag that actually makes sense.

Because makeup should feel easy — and fun. ❤️

👉 Book Your Session