11/01/2026
Heyy Celestial Cittenz, have any of you been watching the latest series of Waterloo Road? BTW, this is a long educational read.
Episode 7, where Shola Aku, played by Chiamaka Ulebor goes to a fashion casting and is met by a make-up artist who decides that a beige foundation is a great match for 'Shola's' flawless and beautiful ebony skin, yet Shola stands up to her and says it's wrong yet another mua got it right on her last casting.
The MUA decides that it's Shola's fault before pulling faces and stating in not so many words that Shola's skin tone is the problem.
Now, this MUA had just one beige foundation! I remember back in the day (the mid 1990's when I was training to be a MUA) there were three foundations we could use, they were light, medium and dark. We would have to mix them where necessary to get the ideal match which, in some cases was no picnic - but it was doable.
In the year 2000, mineral, water based foundations in an array of colours which suited various undertones and skin tones came out via Supercover cosmetics in the UK. I tried out the foundations and took a few to work with on national/international fashion shows and events.
Roll on to 2005, my advanced training as a MUA took place via Supercover and then in 2010 I trained and qualified as an advanced, professional MUA tutor and ran my own FHT accredited courses alongside providing an advanced solution and of course, foundation matching which I will say, without ego that I was tremendously good at as per comments from my lovely clients.
Now, if you have a MUA showing or adding a random foundation colour to your face, and you can see it, and they believe it's okay, please do speak up. We are in 2026, the beauty industry has progressed and continues to do so in terms of techniques, skills, products, education and so forth.
Your MUA must undergo training every year and be a part of an organisation where CPD (Continuous Professional Development) is mandatory.
I have added two pictures, one in black and white and the other in colour. Why? When I worked in fashion, the photographer always wanted to take pics of the models before they were confirmed as part of a fashion show, but most of all representing their fashion house. In black and white, everything shows up. This includes any skin flaws, wrong tones, flaky make-up, dodgy lighting, mismatches, and so forth.
In both images, you can see how the foundation doesn't match the skin tone or undertone, yes, as the character rightly said, this could potentially make her skin look grey in pictures. In this case, where I have circled the area in orange, she could even look white when her neck is actually much darker.
A complete mismatch, and no, unless this is make-up for a character in a stage play, her neck should not be caked in foundation. The jawline is used to match the foundation which should also match the skin/undertone of her neck.
When a MUA says to you, well, "I've been using this colour on all people who have the same skin tone as you and this is what I have to work with, and if they blame you, along with turning you into a clown, then end your session and run for the hills!
Yes, ensure you research well when looking for your MUA!
If you have a salon or college of student therapists/MUAs/Nail techs, and you wish for them to gain membership and insurance with a reputable non for profit organisation run by therapists who look after therapists, do get in touch with me and we can arrange the ideal time for an in person or online presentation.
FHT Award winning Ambassador, Sunita Johal, FFHT, MICHT, MIFHB, BSYA (Col.) R-NFR(S). Dip. AH. CH.
held in high regard.