Shay Mitchell’s Hilarious Beauty Fail: Makeup Artist Swap Gone Wrong
See what happened when Shay Mitchell tried to do her professional makeup artist's makeup and how it turned into a beauty fail.
The Setup: Shay Mitchell vs. Professional Makeup
For most of us, our daily makeup routine is a mix of hopeful YouTube tutorials and trial-and-error practice. But what happens when a celebrity—who is used to always looking flawless—tries to do makeup on a professional makeup artist? In a laugh-out-loud episode hosted by Cosmopolitan US, Shay Mitchell, best known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, took on the challenge of doing her own makeup artist’s face. The result? A delightful, relatable beauty fail proving that even stars have their off days in front of a mirror.
The Challenge: Makeup Artist Swap
Shay is used to sitting in the makeup chair, not wielding the brushes herself. To raise the stakes, her model for the challenge was none other than her own professional makeup artist, Ash K Holm—who has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including the Kardashians, Camila Cabello, and Ashley Graham. The twist: instead of receiving expert glam, Ash was on the receiving end of Shay’s self-taught skills.
The Process: From Hope to Hilarity
Shay started confidently, pulling out her favorite products and tools from a chic Beis bag. At first glance, it looked like she might pull off a passable look—she even attempted a cut crease, which is no small feat for a novice. But makeup application is deceptively difficult, and as the session progressed, things started to unravel.
- The Eyeliner Incident: Shay picked up a liquid liner, a notoriously tricky product even for experienced hands. As she attempted to draw matching wings, her struggle quickly became evident. Her initial confidence faded as the lines on Ash’s eyelids refused to cooperate, delivering anything but symmetry. This moment highlighted how even basic steps require years of practice to perfect.
- The Blame Game: Shay tried to blame her shaky hands on too much coffee, but Ash quickly countered, pointing out she drinks coffee before makeup sessions too. This excuse rang hollow, proving that even “caffeine jitters” can’t excuse makeup mishaps.
- The Falsies Redemption: Amid the chaos, Shay did have one moment of victory—she successfully applied false lashes, achieving a rare win (and proving that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses).
- The Lesson Learned: The session was a comedic disaster, but it also highlighted the humility and humor Shay brought to the challenge. It was clear that being on the receiving end of professional makeup is very different from doing it yourself.
The Takeaway: Lessons from a Beauty Fail
This experiment wasn’t just entertainment—it was a lesson in the complexities of makeup artistry. Shay’s experience showed that looking flawless is often a team effort, and even celebrities can turn into “regular people” when faced with brushes and blending sponges. The segment also served as a reminder that practice and patience are key, and that even the most beautiful faces sometimes need help achieving perfection.
Beauty Tips Inspired by Shay Mitchell
While Shay’s attempt at professional makeup was a flop, her overall approach to beauty is anything but. From her skincare rituals to her favorite products, Shay has learned a thing or two about looking her best, both on and off camera.
- Skincare First: Shay is a firm believer that good makeup starts with a great base. She prioritizes skincare, especially using micellar water to remove all traces of makeup and applying eye cream to keep under-eye areas hydrated and youthful-looking. For a real treat, she steams her face with essential oils for a healthy glow and de-puffs with ice water before shoots.
- Natural Ingredients: Shay swears by coconut oil and aloe vera for moisturizing skin, lips, and cuticles, and keeps aloe leaves in her fridge for even more skin and health benefits.
- Favorite Products: Her go-tos include Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer, Shani Darden’s Texture Reform Serum for advanced skincare, and Patrick Ta lip products for effortless color. She finishes her look with a spritz of Cacharel Yes I Am fragrance for a signature scent.
- Indulgences: Shay’s biggest beauty luxury is regular spa treatments, particularly facials and lymphatic massages. These are not just for glamour—they’re part of her wellness routine.
- Quick Fixes: For under-eye puffiness, Shay recommends cold spoons for a quick de-puffing effect.
Beauty, Inside and Out
Shay’s approach to beauty goes beyond skin-deep. She acknowledges that drinking water and getting enough sleep are just as important as any product, but admits these are challenges for busy moms and professionals. Her best advice? Less is more, and confidence is the best accessory—no amount of makeup can compete with inner confidence.
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FAQs
Who is Shay Mitchell?
Shay Mitchell is a Canadian actress best known for her roles in Pretty Little Liars and Netflix’s You. She’s also recognized for her real-life roles as a mother and as a travel and beauty influencer.
How did Shay Mitchell’s makeup fail happen?
Shay attempted to do her own makeup artist’s makeup in a Cosmopolitan video, with hilariously messy results—especially when it came to eyeliner application.
What are Shay Mitchell’s favorite beauty products?
She loves Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, Shani Darden’s Texture Reform Serum, Patrick Ta Monochrome Lip Crèmes, and Cacharel Yes I Am fragrance.
What is Shay Mitchell’s skincare routine?
Shay uses micellar water for cleansing, eye cream for hydration, coconut oil for moisturizing, and enjoys steaming with essential oils and de-puffing with cold water.
Any quick beauty tips from Shay?
Cold spoons under the eyes reduce puffiness, and coconut oil is a multipurpose hero for skin, lips, and cuticles.
Conclusion: Beauty is a Team Sport
Shay Mitchell’s makeup fail is a fun reminder that even the most glamorous celebrities are just people, and that true beauty comes from confidence, humor, and a little help from friends (or, in this case, a makeup artist). Her real-life approach to beauty—balancing indulgence with practicality, and never taking herself too seriously—makes her relatable to fans and beauty lovers everywhere. And when all else fails? Just pop on some falsies and blame the coffee!
References
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/celebs/shay-mitchell-proves-that-make-up-is-def
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/skincare/a28240062/shay-mitchell-skincare-routine/
- https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a32003966/shay-mitchell-beauty-interview/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcjjWl8ugb0
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/news/a55747/shay-mitchell-worst-beauty-fail/
- https://www.ypulse.com/article/2018/09/14/a-sweatshirt-fail-has-this-millennial-brand-under-fire/
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