Let's ask a JAL flight attendant! Makeup tips to improve your first impression

Two JAL flight attendants helped out

The two flight attendants who gave us makeup tips were Ms. Yamamoto (left) and Ms. Koyama (right). We asked them about their favorite cosmetics and the things they pay attention to when applying makeup, as well as some makeup tips that we can use right away!

Elegant and modest. The key to flight attendant makeup is to strike the perfect balance

When asked about the key points for JAL flight attendants' appearance, Ms. Koyama told us, "It's about being modest and elegant."

Ms. Yamamoto continues, "I try to keep in mind the perfect balance: not too flashy, but not so unobtrusive that it makes a good impression on customers."

Another thing they pay attention to is makeup that won't come off even on long flights and maintains a clean look.

So, what should you pay attention to in order to achieve elegant, understated makeup that lasts for a long time? We will introduce in detail, step by step, the makeup techniques used by flight attendants that can be easily implemented in interviews and business situations, from skin care to point makeup.

Point 1: First, create a foundation! Prepare your makeup for long-lasting, beautiful skin

Flight attendants sometimes wear makeup for more than 10 hours on an airplane. The secret to keeping their makeup looking good is skin care before applying makeup, which the two of them say they pay particular attention to. They say they pay particular attention to moisturizing care.

It is basic to apply lotion twice. Before applying makeup, always use a mask to hydrate your skin.

Properly moisturized skin will look beautiful even if you apply a light base makeup afterwards. Best of all, your makeup will stay in place longer.

She says that makeup breakdown, which is a concern, can actually be greatly affected by how moisturized your skin is. Creating a good foundation for your makeup will help your makeup stick better and also help prevent dryness on the plane.

Point 2: 70% of your skin is created with a functional foundation

When it comes to base makeup, the two of them use primer, foundation, and powder in that order. At first glance, this may seem like a normal process, but they say that applying the primer prepares about 70% of the skin.

Because it's dry inside the cabin, I use a cream-type base that contains moisturizing and beauty serum ingredients. I also choose a product that has a tone-up effect to brighten my complexion, and I apply the base to add moisture and shine.

I use CC cream as a foundation because it moisturizes, protects against the sun, and evens out skin tone all at once. I apply a generous amount of CC cream to my entire face to moisturize and even out uneven skin tone, then I cover any blemishes I have with foundation.

Just as thickly applied paint will crack when it dries, thickly applied foundation is more likely to come off. As you can see from this, the trick to makeup that won't come off is to apply foundation thinly. By preparing your skin at the base stage, you can apply a thinner layer of foundation later. Many foundations these days serve multiple purposes, so try to find an item that will bring you closer to your ideal skin.

Tip 3: Keep your eyebrows neatly trimmed for a more reliable look!

Eyebrow makeup is an important factor that greatly affects the impression one makes of one's face. She aims to create both 'approachability' and 'reliability'.

My eyebrows naturally have a slight downward tilt at the tails. This gives me an unreliable impression, so I draw my eyebrows from the middle to the ends slightly upwards with a pencil to give me a more confident look.

On the other hand, Ms. Koyama says she is conscious of making a good impression by having well-defined eyebrows.

By drawing the beginning of the eyebrows firmly and sharpening them towards the end, you can create a sharp impression without being too harsh. To match the glamor of the uniform, I try to draw my eyebrows a little thicker and darker than when I wear casual clothes.

Another key point is to match your hair color with your eyebrow color. Especially for those with black hair, making your eyebrows jet black can make your expression look stiff, so by using a brown eyebrow mascara to lighten the color a little, you can create a gentler look.

Point 4: The balance between brightness and elegance is important for eye makeup

When it comes to eye makeup, I focus on two points: making the expression easy to see and elegance.

Since I have thick eyelids, it's hard to see the colors unless I apply eyeshadow all the way to the top of my double eyelids. I try to apply eye makeup a little darker than usual so that my facial expressions are clear, especially when the cabin is dark.

I also pay special attention to eyeliner. By drawing it firmly on the outer corner of the eye and making the rim clear, I can create an intelligent impression. I also try to make sure that my eyes are clearly visible even when I smile.

One thing they both have in common is the color of their eyeshadow. By using matte eyeshadow in shades of pink or beige that aren't too flashy, they create a warm and soft impression. They say they enjoy the difference between their makeup routine and their private life, for example by using glittery eyeshadow for everyday use. Also, by choosing dark brown eyeliner instead of black, you can create a strong look for your eyes while still maintaining a gentle impression.

Point 5: The position of your blush changes the impression!

For cabin attendants, blush is an important factor in determining the complexion and impression of one's facial expression. We paid particular attention to the color and the position of the blush so that we could give customers a bright and healthy impression.

First of all, without blush, you look pale and lifeless, so I make sure to apply a lot of blush. If the color is too pink, you look cute, so I choose a slightly darker rose red color. I apply blush from the high point of my cheek when I smile, letting it flow naturally to the side.

Taking into account the changes in complexion that can occur on a long flight, I apply calming warm pink or orange colors to the outside of my cheeks.

Both of them love powder blush. When it comes to applying blush, applying it in a round shape under the pupil of the eye gives a cute impression, while applying it horizontally gives a more mature impression. They also say that applying blush high on the cheeks can enhance a healthy glow.

Tip 6: Use a lip color that won’t come off easily and stick to red!

Lips are the finishing touch to your makeup. No matter how carefully you apply your base makeup and point makeup, if your lips come off, they will not last long. To keep a good impression, it is important to choose a color that is both durable and lasts well.

I chose the color based on the red used in the scarf. I added a touch of glamour by using a bright red lipstick that is visible even in the dark. I first drew a lip liner to define the outline of my lips, then applied a lipstick that stays on for a long time. By using a lip liner, I was able to keep the outline of my lips clear even with a moisturizing lipstick, without it smudging.

For both of them, the basic two-step process is to apply lip liner followed by lipstick. By carefully applying with a brush, you can keep your lips looking sharp for a long time. For job-hunting students, we recommend a soft red lip, such as a light rose red.

Your makeup is now complete! By just taking a little extra care with the color of your cosmetics and the placement of your blush and other point makeup, you may be able to create a different impression than usual. Please refer to the cabin attendant makeup.

Hair styling takes a little extra effort! Flight attendant style hairstyle

A clean and neat hairstyle is an important point for interviews and business situations after joining the workforce. No matter how perfect your makeup is, if your hair is messy, it will ruin it. From here, we will teach you how to easily style long hair and short hair that anyone can do.

[Long Hair] Anyone can style their hair beautifully!

Flight attendants often give the impression of always having their hair neatly tied up. With their hair tied up, not only is it easier to move around, but they also don't have to touch their hair every time it falls on their face, and their expressions are not hidden. In fact, this hairstyle takes into consideration many aspects such as efficiency, hygiene, and communication. First, we were shown how to style the basic updo "chignon," which gives off a clean and dignified vibe.

① Make a base ponytail

Before tying your hair up, spread a thin layer of oil or other product over your entire head of hair, pressing down any stray hairs and giving the surface of your hair a glossy finish.

Tie your hair into a ponytail just below your ears to create the base of the chignon. If it's tied too high, it will give you a youthful and active look, so tie it just below your ears for an elegant look.

②Put the ponytail inside the chignon net

A useful item for creating a beautiful bun is the "Chignon Net." Stretch the net and wrap your hair inside it. Ms. Yamamoto uses two nets stacked on top of each other. If you have a lot of hair and find it difficult to create a chignon, try this.

③ Make a chignon

Next, secure the net and hair. Insert a U-pin into the top center of the bun to keep the net in place, then wrap a strand of hair around the knot to create a bun. Tuck the end of the wrapped hair into the knot so it's not visible, and secure it with a U-pin. Use U-pins in four places, above, below, left and right, to keep the bun from falling apart.

Finish by pinning the hair in place so that there are no loose strands sticking out from the chignon! The end result is a chignon that looks neat from any angle.

[Short Hair] The key is the flow and shine of the hair

Next, she told us the points to keep in mind when styling short hair. How you style the area around the ears and the back of the head can make a big difference in the first impression.

1. Comb your hair and tuck the side hair behind your ears.

Koyama is particular about keeping the sides of her hair from falling over her face even when she bows. To prevent hair from falling, it is necessary to tuck it behind your ears or secure it with pins, but instead of using pins, Koyama uses a mixture of oil and wax to keep it in place. The oil gives the hair shine and the wax sets it in place, and even then, it's not enough to simply tuck the hair behind your ears; the key is to run a comb through the part. Koyama told us that this extra step is the secret to looking neat and making a good impression.

② Make the hair at the back of the head rounder

Blow dry the back of your head with a brush or curl it inward with a hair iron to create a rounded look. This short hairstyle gives a smart impression, but the rounded back of your head adds a gentle impression.

It's not just hair and makeup! Tips for making a good impression

In addition to makeup and hairstyles, Yamamoto and Koyama also pay close attention to personal grooming. Finally, we asked them about other things besides hair and makeup that they pay attention to from the customer's perspective.

I always carry a small shoe polish with me. On an airplane, passengers are seated, so they can see our feet quite often. That's why I use a small shoe polish to regularly clean our shoes.

I pay particular attention to wrinkles in my uniform, and always carry my jacket on a hanger to prevent them from getting wrinkled.

If you think about these small details from the other person's perspective, you'll realize that you've often overlooked them. "Having a clean appearance also boosts your confidence," they say. Along with your makeup and hairstyle, why not try to pay attention to these small details as well?

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