Expert makeup artist Kelli Thomsen reveals how to choose the right makeup lesson for beginners, brides, and beauty enthusiasts seeking confidence through clean beauty education.
Why a Personalized Makeup Lesson Changes Everything
Scrolling through beauty tutorials at 2am, trying to recreate looks that don’t quite work on your unique features, buying products that promised miracles but sit unused in your drawer—sound familiar?
Here’s what most people don’t realize: makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is makeup education.
After 26+ years as a professional makeup artist in Portland, I’ve discovered that the most transformative beauty experiences happen when education is tailored specifically to YOU—your skin type, your lifestyle, your features, your goals, and yes, even your relationship with beauty itself.
That’s why I’ve created a clear, intentional approach to makeup lessons that meets you exactly where you are in your beauty journey.
The Problem With Traditional Makeup Classes
Traditional makeup classes teach you trends. They show you what’s popular on Instagram. They give you a generic routine that might work for the model in the video, but leaves you feeling frustrated when it doesn’t translate to your face.
What’s missing?
- Understanding YOUR unique skin narrative
- Techniques that work with YOUR features, not against them
- Products that align with YOUR skin health goals
- Confidence-building that addresses YOUR specific challenges
- Clean beauty education that honors YOUR body and the environment
That’s the difference between following a tutorial and receiving a personalized makeup lesson from an expert who sees you, understands you, and empowers you.
Portland’s Most Comprehensive Makeup Lesson Offerings: Which One is Right for You?
I’ve streamlined my makeup education into four distinct experiences, each designed for a specific stage of your beauty journey. No more confusion about which service to book—just clear pathways to confidence.
1. The Essentials Lesson: Perfect for Makeup Beginners & Minimalists
90 minutes | $200 (Teen pricing: $175 for ages 13-17)
Who this is for:
- First-time makeup users who don’t know where to start
- Minimalists who want a simplified, 15-minute daily routine
- Teens learning age-appropriate makeup and skincare fundamentals
- Anyone overwhelmed by too many products and techniques
- Busy professionals who need efficiency without sacrificing polish
What makes this lesson special:
This isn’t about dumping information on you. It’s about building genuine confidence with the essentials. We’ll focus on 5-10 carefully selected products that create one complete, polished everyday look you can actually recreate at home.
I’ll teach you:
- Personalized skincare consultation for your exact skin type
- Foolproof application techniques that enhance (never mask)
- Product recommendations that won’t break the bank
- How to care for your tools so they last
- Clean beauty basics: understanding ingredients that nourish your skin
You’ll leave with: A digital guide with step-by-step instructions, product list with where to buy, and the confidence to look polished in 15 minutes every morning.
Perfect for: Portland professionals who bike to work, eco-conscious minimalists, teens navigating their first makeup purchases, anyone starting fresh after years of not wearing makeup.
2. The Signature Personalized Lesson: Complete Makeup Mastery
2.5 hours | $300
Who this is for:
- Beauty enthusiasts ready to elevate their skills
- Anyone wanting to master both everyday and special occasion looks
- Women 49+ seeking ageless beauty techniques for mature skin
- People with specific skin concerns requiring expert guidance
- Those ready for a transformative, comprehensive beauty education
What makes this lesson special:
This is where magic happens. With a full 2.5 hours together, we go beyond application into the artistry, science, and psychology of beauty. This is my most popular offering because it adapts completely to your unique goals.
Customizable focus options:
Ageless Beauty Focus (49+): Specialized techniques for mature skin including addressing fine lines, working with skin texture changes, enhancing natural beauty at any age, and choosing products that work WITH your skin’s evolution, not against it.
Everyday + Special Occasion Mastery: Learn to create a natural daily look that can be elevated for evening events, weddings, photoshoots, or special occasions. One set of products, multiple transformations.
General Makeup Mastery: Comprehensive education covering skincare optimization, color theory for your unique coloring, professional application techniques, and building a complete makeup routine from foundation to finish.
What we’ll cover:
- In-depth skincare consultation and routine optimization
- 1-2 complete makeup looks with professional techniques
- Comprehensive product recommendations across all categories
- Detailed face chart showing exactly where each product goes
- Brush and tool education
- Clean beauty ingredient deep-dive
- The mindset conversation: beauty as self-care, not obligation
You’ll leave with: A complete personalized guide with face charts, professional techniques, product recommendations with exact shades, and renewed confidence in your unique beauty.
Perfect for: Portland creatives wanting to look camera-ready, professionals with client-facing roles, women celebrating their ageless beauty, anyone ready for comprehensive transformation.
3. DIY Wedding Makeup Lesson: Look Flawless on Your Big Day
2 hours | $300
Who this is for:
- Brides doing their own wedding makeup
- Bridesmaids wanting to look photo-ready
- Mothers of the bride/groom seeking special event perfection
- Anyone with a major milestone event requiring flawless, long-wearing makeup
What makes this lesson special:
Your wedding day isn’t the time to experiment. This specialized lesson is entirely focused on bridal preparation—from skincare prep to photography considerations to long-wearing techniques that last through tears, dancing, and endless hugs.
What we’ll cover:
- Complete bridal skincare consultation for a flawless canvas
- Full wedding makeup trial with weather-resistant techniques
- Long-wearing, photo-ready application methods
- How to photograph beautifully (avoiding flashback, SPF issues, etc.)
- Touch-up strategies and timing throughout the day
- Emergency kit recommendations
- Complete wedding day timeline and application guide
- Practice time so you feel absolutely confident
You’ll leave with: A detailed wedding day guide with face chart, complete product recommendations proven for weddings, your emergency touch-up kit list, and the absolute confidence that you’ll look stunning in person AND in every photo.
Perfect for: Portland brides planning intimate ceremonies, destination weddings where bringing an artist isn’t practical, DIY-loving couples, bridesmaids coordinating looks, mothers wanting to feel beautiful without hiring professional services.
Pro tip: Book 2-3 months before your wedding date for optimal preparation time. Shorter timelines available based on schedule.
4. Refresh Lesson: For Past Clients Ready to Evolve
75 minutes | $150
Exclusively for past makeup lesson clients
Who this is for:
- Past clients wanting seasonal color updates
- Anyone ready to learn new techniques
- Those exploring new clean beauty products
- Clients needing a confidence refresh or troubleshooting
What makes this lesson special:
Your beauty journey doesn’t end after one lesson. This is your evolution session—we’ll review what’s working, update what’s not, introduce new products or techniques, and ensure you’re still feeling confident and excited about your routine.
You’ll leave with: Updated guide, fresh product recommendations, refined techniques, and renewed confidence.
Flexible Add-Ons: Because Every Journey is Unique
Extended Session Time (+30 minutes) | $75
Need extra time for complex techniques or additional looks? Add 30 minutes to any lesson.
Virtual Follow-Up (30 minutes) | $50
Schedule within 30 days of your lesson for troubleshooting, questions, or technique refinement from the comfort of home.
What Makes Kelli Thomsen Beauty Different: The Portland Clean Beauty Experience
26+ Years of Professional Expertise
I’m not a beauty influencer teaching what worked for me. I’m a professional makeup artist who’s spent over two decades mastering skin types, facial structures, color theory, and the science of clean beauty ingredients.
Clean Beauty Commitment
Every product I recommend is carefully vetted for ingredient quality. I believe makeup should enhance your skin’s health, not compromise it. We’ll discuss ingredient education so you can make informed choices long after our lesson ends.
Holistic Approach
This isn’t just about application techniques. We address:
- Your skin’s unique narrative and health
- Your lifestyle and realistic routine capabilities
- Your self-worth and relationship with beauty
- Sustainable practices that honor the environment
- Mindset: beauty as empowerment, not obligation
Portland’s Most Personalized Experience
No cookie-cutter routines. No one-size-fits-all recommendations. Just deeply customized education that honors your uniqueness.
Detailed Take-Home Guides
Every client receives a digital guide with face charts, step-by-step instructions, exact product recommendations with shades and where to buy them, and all the techniques we covered. It’s like having me in your bathroom every morning.
Real Clients, Real Transformations
“I’m 52 and had been doing my makeup the same way for 20 years. Kelli’s Ageless Beauty session completely transformed how I see myself. She taught me techniques that work WITH my mature skin, not against it. I finally feel confident and beautiful.” — Sarah M., Portland
“As a complete beginner, I was terrified I’d look stupid not knowing anything. Kelli made me feel so comfortable and broke everything down into simple steps I could actually remember. Now I do my makeup every day in 15 minutes and feel put-together for the first time in my life.” — Jessica T., Lake Oswego
“I did my own wedding makeup thanks to Kelli’s DIY Wedding Lesson and it was PERFECT. It lasted through tears, dancing, and looked amazing in every photo. Best investment I made for my wedding.” — Amanda R., Portland
Your Investment in Confidence & Vitality
Lesson Investment:
- Essentials Lesson: $200 ($175 for teens)
- Signature Personalized Lesson: $300
- DIY Wedding Makeup Lesson: $300
- Refresh Lesson: $150
Optional Product Investment: $200-$500
Depending on your approach (minimalist to comprehensive), you’ll invest in products that become tools for daily self-care and confidence. These aren’t expenses—they’re investments in your skin health and wellbeing.
How to Choose Your Perfect Makeup Lesson
Choose the Essentials Lesson if:
- You’re new to makeup or haven’t worn it in years
- You want a simple, quick daily routine (15 minutes or less)
- You’re a teen learning the basics
- You identify as a minimalist
- You feel overwhelmed by too many products
Choose the Signature Personalized Lesson if:
- You want comprehensive makeup education
- You need multiple looks (day-to-night versatility)
- You’re 49+ and want ageless beauty techniques
- You have specific skin concerns requiring expert guidance
- You’re ready to master makeup artistry
Choose the DIY Wedding Lesson if:
- You’re getting married and doing your own makeup
- You’re in the bridal party and want to look flawless
- You have a major special event requiring photo-ready makeup
- You need long-wearing techniques and confidence
Choose the Refresh Lesson if:
- You’ve taken a lesson with me before
- You want to update your look or learn new techniques
- You’re exploring new products
- You need troubleshooting or a confidence boost
Still not sure? That’s okay! Contact me for a complimentary consultation and we’ll find your perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Makeup Lessons
What if I have sensitive skin or allergies?
Perfect—that’s exactly why personalized lessons exist. I’ll evaluate your specific sensitivities and recommend only products that work with your skin, not against it. Clean beauty is especially important for sensitive skin.
Can I bring my own products?
Absolutely! I encourage it. I’ll evaluate what you have, identify what’s working, check expiration dates, and recommend what might better serve your goals. We’ll also discuss ingredient quality.
What should I bring to my lesson?
Just yourself and any current makeup or skincare products you’d like me to evaluate. I provide all professional-grade clean beauty products for your lesson.
Do you offer virtual lessons?
Currently, I offer in-person lessons at my Portland studio for the best hands-on learning experience, plus optional virtual follow-up sessions for past clients.
How far in advance should I book?
For Essentials and Signature lessons: 2-4 weeks advance booking recommended. For DIY Wedding lessons: 2-3 months before your wedding date is ideal, though I can accommodate shorter timelines based on availability.
What happens after my lesson?
You’ll receive a personalized digital guide within 48 hours containing everything we covered: product recommendations with exact shades and where to buy, step-by-step instructions, face charts, and techniques. You’ll also have the option to purchase recommended products through me or I’ll direct you where to find them.
What if I need help after my lesson?
That’s what the Virtual Follow-Up add-on is for! Schedule 30 minutes within 30 days to troubleshoot, ask questions, or refine techniques.
Do you work with all ages?
Yes! From teens (13+) to seniors, I specialize in personalized education for every age and stage. The Ageless Beauty focus within the Signature Lesson is especially popular for women 49+.
What’s your cancellation policy?
[Insert your policy here]
Ready to Transform Your Relationship With Beauty?
Your personalized makeup journey starts with a single decision: to invest in yourself, your confidence, and your unique radiance.
Whether you’re a complete beginner taking your first steps into makeup, a bride preparing for your special day, a woman celebrating your ageless beauty, or someone ready to master the art of makeup—I’m here to guide you with 26+ years of expertise, genuine care, and unwavering commitment to your transformation.
Don’t procrastinate on creating your custom look.
Your skin health, your confidence, your self-worth, and your radiant beauty are waiting to be unleashed.
Choose Your Portland Makeup Lesson Experience:
[Book Essentials Lesson – $200] | Perfect for beginners & minimalists
[Book Signature Personalized Lesson – $300] | Complete makeup mastery
[Book DIY Wedding Makeup Lesson – $300] | Bridal perfection
[Book Refresh Lesson – $150] | Past clients only
[Not sure? Schedule a free consultation]
“Eco beauty isn’t just a trend—it’s a commitment to your skin’s well-being and a harmonious relationship with the environment. When you step into my sanctuary, we embark on a voyage personalized to your unique skin needs”
Kelli Thomsen
