I still remember the first time I saw a facechart. Back then, I had no idea what it was or why anyone would want a sheet of paper with an awkward, blank face on it. Honestly, I thought, “This is going to be boring.” Spoiler alert: I was very wrong.
Facecharts quickly became my secret playground. They’re basically a blank canvas for your makeup ideas — a place where you can experiment without worrying about ruining a real model’s skin. Early on, I made plenty of mistakes. I tried blending foundation directly onto the paper (don’t do that) and attempted eyebrow shapes that looked more like angry caterpillars than chic arches. But each fail taught me something — about colour, proportion, and how to bring an idea to life.
But, what exactly is a facechart? Well, I like to think of it as a blank canvas — a piece of paper with a face on it that’s just waiting for your ideas. When I first started, I used it to test colour combinations, practise techniques, and plan editorial or client looks before touching a real model. Honestly, it became my little safe zone: a place where mistakes didn’t matter, experiments taught me lessons, and I could play around with creativity without any pressure. And the best part? It’s actually a lot of fun — like your own personal playground for makeup.
A bit of history
Facecharts have been around for decades, popping up in the makeup world as simple line drawings used to plan and document looks. If you’ve ever been to a MAC counter, you might recognise their iconic sheets — but the concept existed long before that. Artists use them to record their creations, plan editorial or bridal looks, and communicate ideas with teams, especially during runway shows where multiple models need consistent makeup. In short, a facechart is a makeup artist’s best friend.
What can you do on a Facechart?
Literally anything! You can use real makeup — powders, eyeshadows, blushes, lipsticks — and even art supplies like gouache or pencils to bring depth and highlights to your design. Brushes, sponges, fingertips — they all work. I’ve even played digitally on my iPad, recreating runway looks without touching a real face but still prefer paper and products, because I can touch the products, use things that I have in my kit and makes it easier to recreate them on a model.
The beauty of a facechart is that it’s forgiving. Want to test a bold lip colour? Go for it. Curious about mixing unexpected eyeshadow shades? Nothing’s stopping you. And the best part? You can start over as many times as you want without guilt.
How I use Facecharts
I like to create “colour stories” before applying makeup on a model. I test shades, try some unusual combinations, and plan the entire look on paper. Once I’m happy, transferring it to skin feels effortless because the design is already mapped out. Over time, my facecharts became my personal library of inspiration — a go-to collection whenever I needed ideas or wanted to push my creativity.
Why you should try them
When I first started using facecharts, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But I quickly realised how much freedom they gave me. I could experiment with colours and textures without worrying about making a mistake on a real model. I could plan editorial or client looks in advance, and when something worked, I had a visual record I could go back to anytime.
Facecharts became my little playground for ideas. Every “fail” taught me something, and every experiment built my confidence. And the best part? They’re just fun — like a creative playground where you get to test, play, and dream without limits.
And if you really want to take this further, I’ve created a free colour theory guide that you can download to help you understand how colours actually work together in makeup.Not only a guide on colour theory but also a free Facechart Guide to help you start with your facecharts on your own.
This is something I wish I had when I first started, because once you understand colour, your facecharts become so much more than just drawings — they become a tool to develop your eye and your creativity. I always tell my students to practise drawing facecharts regularly, not just to improve technique, but to get into that creative state of flow where ideas come naturally and you’re not overthinking every step. That’s where real growth happens. So if you’re ready to explore your creativity on a deeper level, download the guide, grab your facecharts, and just start creating.
