I get asked this a lot: "What exactly happens in a makeup lesson? Is it like a class? Will you judge me for what I've been doing wrong?"
No — and yes, we really do cover everything.
A private lesson with me is exactly that: private. It's just the two of us, working through your routine at your pace, with your products, on your face. I've been a professional makeup artist for over 20 years, working at Bobbi Brown and Christian Dior — and the most rewarding part of my career has been teaching women to do their own makeup confidently, without relying on anyone else.
Here's exactly what a lesson looks like:
Watch First — This Is What a Lesson Looks Like.
Who Lessons Are For
Most of my lesson clients fall into one of these groups:
Beginners — women who've never had a proper routine and want to finally learn the right way.
Women updating their look — if you've been doing your makeup the same way for 10 or 15 years, a lesson resets everything. Techniques that worked in your 30s don't always work the same way in your 40s and 50s.
Brides and wedding parties — I work with brides who want to do their own makeup for the honeymoon, and bridesmaids who want to look polished in photos.
Corporate clients — headshots, presentations, video calls. A polished look on camera is different from everyday makeup, and a lesson shows you exactly what to adjust.
If any of these sound like you, a lesson will change how you feel about getting ready every morning.
What We Actually Cover — A Real Example
Here's what we worked through in a recent Zoom lesson:
Face first. We started with primer — one pump, pressed into the skin everywhere except under the eyes. Then BB Cream with a flat brush (never a sponge), working from the inner cheek outward and down toward the jaw. Powder to set it, then bronzer swept across the forehead and down the nose, blush starting low in the apple of the cheek and sweeping upward, and setting spray to finish. By the time we got through the face, she understood exactly why each product is there and what order it goes in.
Eyes. This is where most people get stuck. The first thing I teach: always tilt your head back slightly when applying eye shadow — it exposes the crease and keeps you from closing your eye before you're done. We worked through the color order: lid color first, then the darker shade swept in a windshield wiper motion through the crease, then a light color under the brow bone to blend and brighten everything. Then liner — gel on top, kohl on the bottom — starting from the middle of the lash line and working outward in short, careful strokes.
Brows. Quick but high-impact. Short, feathery strokes with Brow Fixx following the natural arch. One of the fastest things you can do that makes the biggest visual difference.
Lips. We finished with the layering method that makes lipstick actually last: lip primer first (tapped all over the lips before anything else), then liner starting from the center and filling in the entire lip as a base — so color stays underneath even when the lipstick wears off. Then lipstick, then a touch of gloss.
The whole session took just over an hour. She left knowing her full routine from start to finish.
Here's the full tutorial we work from in every lesson:
Online vs. In-Person — Which Is Right for You?
Zoom lessons are great for technique. I can see your face clearly, watch you apply each product, and give real-time feedback. Most clients are surprised by how much we accomplish on a video call. You work with your own products in your own lighting — which means everything you learn translates directly to your daily routine.
In-person lessons are better if you want me to work directly on your face, help you choose products in person, or prefer a hands-on experience. I can come to your chosen location, or sessions are available at my private studio in the Danville, CA area.
Both formats cover the same content — it comes down to what feels right for you.
What My Clients Say
"Sarah helped me find the look I wanted for a family wedding. She came to my house, listened to what I wanted, and then taught me how to apply the make up for a natural look. Sarah was great about not pushing to buy a lot. She looked at items I already had and made suggestions on what I should keep and what I might replace. I love what we came up with and feel confident about doing it by myself. Plus, it was a lot of fun to learn new techniques and approaches." — Kim Risedorph
"In anticipation of returning to in-person work and having my skin wrecked from chemotherapy, I hired Sarah for a make-up lesson... Sarah asked my goals and how much time I would spend on a daily regiment. Being low maintenance and generally lazy, I agreed to 20 minutes. After several practices I can get the job done in 12. The most impressive thing she taught me was her tricks for concealing discoloration and other skin imperfections. Miraculous! I feel more confident and look so much better and got lots of compliments over my new, but natural look." — Marie Ver Haar Griffin
Ready to Book?
If you're ready to finally feel confident in your routine, I'd love to work with you.
For in-person lessons, contact Sarah by phone or the contact form to discuss your needs and schedule.
Zoom lessons available worldwide. In-person available in Danville, CA and surrounding areas — at your location or my private studio.
Sarah Fendrich is a professional makeup artist and the creator of Makeup by Sarah Fendrich, a cruelty-free cosmetics line designed for women who want to look and feel their best. With 20+ years working at Bobbi Brown and Christian Dior, she now teaches private lessons and ships her products nationwide.
