From Beginner to Beauty Educator: My Makeup Journey Since 2017 – And Why I Understand the Struggle Better Than Most

A side-by-side before and after comparison photo of a woman with a blonde bob hairstyle. The left image shows her face without makeup, while the right image shows her wearing a natural makeup look with defined eyebrows, mascara, a soft blush, and a pink lip color.

From Beginner to Beauty Educator: My Makeup Journey Since 2017

And Why I Understand the Struggle Better Than Most

When I first started learning makeup, I wasn’t a professional makeup artist.

I went to beauty school but the focus was hair, not skin and makeup.

I didn’t grow up with drawers full of skincare or luxury makeup products.

Honestly? I was just like so many women trying to figure it all out.

I liked makeup. I liked beauty. I liked the idea of feeling more confident. But I had no roadmap, no special training, and no clue how much I still had to learn.

What I did have was curiosity.

And that curiosity turned into years of studying makeup techniques, cream makeup, mature skin, skincare routines, color matching, contour methods, and the real missing links in the beauty industry that nobody was talking about online.

This is the story of how I went from a beginner makeup lover to someone who now educates women all over the world on makeup, skincare, mature skin, cream makeup, and confidence.

And if you’re just starting?

I want you to know something:

You do not have to be a professional to learn makeup.

You just have to be willing to learn deeper than surface-level tutorials.

2017 — The Year I Started Using Seint Makeup

2017 was the year everything changed for me.

That was the year I started using Seint makeup.

At the time, I knew almost nothing about:

    • color matching
    • undertones
    • contouring
    • mature skin makeup
    • skincare prep
    • makeup application methods

I simply knew one thing:

I loved the makeup.

graphic comparing "traditional products vs SEINT Beauty" on a black background. The left side features a collection of separate traditional makeup products, including liquid foundation, concealer, contour stick, lipstick, compact powder, blush, loose powder, and an eyeshadow palette, all circled by a white hand-drawn line. White arrows point from this group toward the right side, which showcases a single, compact SEINT Beauty palette holding 10 consolidated cream product pans, including highlights, contours, and blushes.

I loved that it was compact.

I loved that everything fit into one makeup palette instead of carrying around a giant makeup bag. It felt easier, simpler, and more realistic for everyday women.

I jumped into the business quickly because I believed in what I was using, even though I still had so much to learn.

Back then, I wasn’t focused on being an “expert.” I was focused on:

    • learning
    • sharing openly
    • washing my face more consistently
    • practicing
    • understanding why makeup worked differently on different women

I was a beginner figuring it out in real time.

2018 — My Makeup Business Started Growing

By 2018, things started growing fast.

People were intrigued by cream makeup and by the simplicity of the Seint makeup system. My business was growing, but more importantly, I was growing.

At this point, I still didn’t know nearly as much as I know now.

But I was learning quickly through:

    • trial and error
    • real-life application
    • helping real women
    • troubleshooting makeup issues daily

I started realizing that makeup wasn’t just about following trends. It was about understanding faces, skin texture, undertones, age, placement, and confidence.

As my audience grew, I realized I needed systems in place to grow with it.

This wasn’t just about makeup anymore.

It was about education.

2019 — I Became Obsessed With Color Matching and Undertones

Jocelyn McClellan wearing Demi Colour by Seint

2019 was a huge turning point.

My husband actually created a specialized database system for me so I could improve my color matching process because I was doing around 40 color matches a day.

That amount of repetition changed everything for me.

I became deeply familiar with:

    • cool undertones
    • warm undertones
    • olive undertones
    • hyperpigmentation
    • facial discoloration
    • neck-to-face mismatches

At the time, many makeup brands and artists leaned heavily toward overly warm foundations. Faces often looked too yellow compared to the neck and chest.

The more faces I worked with, the more I realized:

We were overusing warm foundation shades in the beauty industry.

This was when I truly started understanding makeup at a much deeper level than traditional tutorials.

Through:

    • internal training
    • comparing applications
    • testing different foundation tones
    • observing skin in person

…I developed a much stronger understanding of how foundation actually works on real skin.

By this point, I felt completely different from the artist I had been just a couple years before.

If someone had sat in my chair in 2017 and then again in 2019, they would have experienced two completely different artists.

2020 — The Year I Mastered Troubleshooting Makeup for Mature Skin

2020 changed everything online.

Suddenly, the beauty world became digital.

Instead of working face-to-face constantly, I shifted heavily into:

    • online education
    • email consultations
    • virtual troubleshooting
    • helping women through photos and communication

This was the year I became incredibly strong in understanding mature skin and makeup troubleshooting.

I realized something important:

Traditional makeup artistry and troubleshooting are not the same thing.

Many makeup artists know how to create beautiful makeup.

But troubleshooting requires understanding:

    • texture
    • skin conditions
    • discoloration
    • dryness
    • mature skin movement
    • product placement
    • layering
    • skin prep

I became stronger because I was solving real problems all day long.

This is also when I deeply realized that many women need multiple foundation shades to truly create balance in the skin.

Especially women dealing with:

    • melasma
    • sunspots
    • redness
    • vitiligo
    • hyperpigmentation
    • uneven skin tone

One foundation shade often cannot solve every issue on the face naturally.

That realization changed my makeup philosophy forever.

2021–2022 — Cream Makeup Became Mainstream

By 2021 and 2022, cream makeup started becoming far more popular.

Brands like Huda Beauty and others were introducing more cream products, and suddenly people were more open to understanding cream formulas.

One of the biggest challenges early on with Seint makeup was this:

People didn’t understand cream makeup yet.

Many people assume all cream makeup is the same. But just like liquid foundation, every cream formula behaves differently.

This is where I learned even more about:

    • cream consistency
    • placement techniques
    • strategic application
    • contour tones
    • mature skin movement

Seint’s thicker cream formula became something I actually appreciated more over time.

Why?

Because thicker cream makeup allows you to work strategically in specific areas instead of coating the entire face heavily.

Back then, many people were still applying makeup all over the face excessively.

But beauty trends were changing.

People were beginning to understand:

    • less is more
    • strategic contouring
    • placement over heaviness
    • softer shaping techniques

This was also when contour stopped feeling so intimidating for women.

I became much more skilled in:

    • cool contour vs warm contour
    • subtle shaping
    • face structure
    • realistic contour placement

Makeup became less about “covering” and more about creating art through enhancement.

2023–2024 — The Years That Changed My Entire Beauty Philosophy

These were the years that changed me the most personally and professionally.

I was going through significant personal and health struggles, and those experiences completely changed the way I looked at beauty.

This was when I dove deeply into skincare education.

And I realized something massive:

Makeup is not the true foundation. Skincare is.

Before this period of my life, I honestly didn’t know much about skincare.

Growing up, the only thing I really had to wash my face with was a bar of soap.

I had to learn:

    • skin barrier health
    • hydration
    • inflammation
    • skincare layering
    • active ingredients
    • skin cycling
    • mature skin changes
    • ingredient interactions

This became a huge learning curve for me.

I wasn’t satisfied with most grocery store skincare.

But I also wasn’t fully satisfied with many medical-grade skincare lines either.

Then I discovered RFA skincare.

RFA opened my eyes to what skincare education could really look like because they didn’t just sell products — they educated people.

And education has always fueled me.

I became obsessed with learning:

    • the science behind makeup
    • why skin ages
    • how environment affects skin
    • how health affects skin
    • why products react differently on different people
    • why makeup sits differently depending on skincare

This was when I stopped thinking like a traditional beauty influencer.

I started thinking deeper.

2025–2026 — Why I Teach Beauty Differently Than Most

Today, I feel incredibly strong in what I know and believe.

I have tested countless makeup lines over the years, and honestly, Seint makeup still stands out strongly to me — especially for mature skin.

Trust me… I’ve tried not to love it so much.

Surely there had to be something better out there.

But what I realized is this:

Cream makeup is not the enemy when applied correctly.

Over-application is.

Today, beauty has changed dramatically from when I started in 2017.

Women no longer want:

    • heavy makeup
    • full-face coverage daily
    • complicated routines
    • confusing techniques

They want:

    • quick makeup application
    • healthy skin
    • strategic makeup placement
    • confidence
    • simplicity
    • skincare-first beauty

And that’s exactly where my philosophy evolved too.

Results of using Olive Tree People for years

But during 2025 and 2026, I deep-dived even further into what the skin and body were truly asking for.

I started questioning everything:

    • Why was skin so dehydrated?
    • Why were so many women struggling with sensitivity?
    • Why were active ingredients becoming stronger while skin barriers seemed weaker?
    • Why did makeup sit beautifully on some skin and terribly on others?

That search led me deeper into skincare simplicity and skin barrier health.

This was when I started using a skincare line that did not use water as its main ingredient. Instead, it focused on the health of the olive tree and the power of bioactive ingredients infused into the skincare itself.

Hydroxytyrosol became one of the biggest staples in the skincare I was using and studying. The more I learned, the more I realized something major:

Hydration is one of the greatest anti-aging tools we have.

Not stronger actives.

Not harsher treatments.

Not constantly over-exfoliating the skin.

Hydration.

Because without proper hydration, the skin barrier suffers. And when the skin barrier suffers, makeup suffers too.

That was the missing piece I felt the beauty industry was overlooking.

This was when Olive Tree People completely shifted my perspective with their product:

F06 — the Cell Active Serum.

An amber glass dropper bottle containing Oliveda F06 Cell Active Serum Face against a plain white background. The bottle features a black ribbed dropper cap and a clean white label displaying the Oliveda logo, an organic tree ring graphic, and text indicating that the product is "Olive Tree Therapy" and made with a 100% organic bioactive elixir instead of water.

Combined with an oil, it became known as the LOVE DUO, and that combination was when hydration truly took over my beauty philosophy.

I had learned so much through RFA and medical-grade skincare education, but now it was time to go even deeper into:

    • hydration
    • barrier repair
    • inflammation
    • skin resilience
    • bioactive skincare
    • how healthy skin changes makeup performance entirely

And this transformed everything.

A side-by-side before and after comparison photo of a woman with a blonde bob hairstyle. The left image shows her face without makeup, while the right image shows her wearing a natural makeup look with defined eyebrows, mascara, a soft blush, and a pink lip color.

No longer was I applying makeup onto dry, depleted skin.

Neither were my clients.

Suddenly makeup started:

    • laying smoother
    • lasting longer
    • looking softer
    • needing less product
    • enhancing skin instead of masking it

I now understand deeply that skincare cannot just be about:

    • oily skin
    • dry skin
    • acne-prone skin

It also has to include:

    • climate
    • travel
    • age
    • hormones
    • health
    • activity levels
    • inflammation
    • makeup formulas
    • seasons
    • lifestyle

The skincare routine you use at night should not always be the same one you use during the day.

The skincare routine you use while traveling should not always be the same one you use at home.

Winter skin is different from summer skin.

Mature skin is different from younger skin.

And makeup performs differently depending on all of it.

That missing link is what pushed me deeper into education.

At the end of the day, I’m not someone who started out knowing all of this.

I was just like you.

I didn’t grow up understanding:

    • skincare
    • mature skin makeup
    • cream makeup
    • undertones
    • hydration
    • skin barriers
    • or why makeup worked for some women and not others

I simply became determined to find answers.

What started with Seint makeup in 2017 turned into years of studying real skin, real women, real struggles, and real solutions. Then Olive Tree People (Oliveda) completely shifted my understanding of hydration, skin barriers, and how healthy skin changes everything when it comes to makeup.

Because the truth is:

beautiful makeup starts with healthy skin.

Clean, waterless beauty look by Jocelyn McClellan using Olive Rose HT Shaping Contour and HT Mascara alongside Seint cream makeup.

Today, my passion is helping women simplify beauty instead of feeling overwhelmed by it.

Whether it’s:

    • Seint cream makeup
    • mature skin makeup
    • Oliveda skincare
    • hydration-first skincare
    • skin barrier repair
    • or beginner makeup techniques

…I teach from the perspective of someone who truly had to learn it all herself.

And maybe that’s why so many women connect with my approach.

Because I’m not here to teach perfection.

I’m here to help you finally make beauty make sense.

Seint Beauty FAQ’s

Seint beauty lip & cheek shades

Get Started with Seint Beauty!

The best place to start is with a custom color match - I'm here to help! Submit a makeup free photo on my home page and I can get you matched to your Seint foundation colors within 24-48 hours!

Here are some Seint Beauty FAQ’s that you may have with all the answers in one place! If you’re on the fence about getting a custom color match to Seint makeup, hopefully this can answer whatever questions you have and bring some clarity regarding Seint official and their makeup!

Throughout all my years as a Seint artist, I’ve had the opportunity to color match and work with countless incredible souls. I’ve recorded so many tutorials regarding how to use Seint makeup and covered so many topics; I figured it was time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions all in one place to hopefully help answer any questions that you may have. Whether you’re new to Seint or a long standing customer, here are your questions answered!

Photo of Seint Official makeup palettes

What is Seint makeup?

Seint makeup is a cream-based product which includes cream foundation, contour, blush and lip colors (aka lip & cheeks), and more. While most of Seint’s products are cream-based, they do have an assortment of mostly powder eyeshadows, with a handful of cream colors.

Is Seint makeup good for mature skin?

Seint beauty is truly incredible for most if not all skin types. It is a cream-based foundation which means it works especially well for those with mature skin. Seint makeup can be used to achieve a light application to a full coverage look.

Photo of Seint official highlight colors

How do I choose my Seint foundation colors and build a custom palette?

Building your custom makeup palette with Seint official is easier than ever before, just get started with a color match HERE! As a trained Seint artist, I can color match your skin tone to the right shades of Seint foundation and give recommendations for your contour, eyeshadows, and more. All you have to do to get started is submit a makeup free photo here on my website and I’ll send over your custom Seint color match within 24-48 hours!

Why do I need more than one Seint highlight color?

Everyone’s skin tone is different, but more often than not, our skin is not one color/tone. You may see darker tones, you might see lighter tones. The IIID foundation is named accordingly as the makeup is meant to enhance the beauty that’s already there and provide a more natural look in comparison to other foundations within other makeup companies.

Why is my Seint contour hard?

The formula for the Seint Official contour colors is a little different than the other cream products but a trick I’ve used for years now is letting my palette warm up in direct sunlight to help the longevity of the makeup last all day as that is an area that can get rubbed on more. I warm it up in sunlight until my colors are soft enough to be applied. You can also run a blow dryer lightly over the top of your tin to warm up the cream and soften the contour for application. If you ever need to melt down your tin to soften it out or refresh it, using a candle warmer works great as it’s not too hot and is easy to use. 

Is Seint makeup TSA approved?

Yes! This is yet another reason I love Seint makeup – no more worrying about measuring out your liquid foundation when traveling. Since the makeup comes in a palette and most of the products are cream, you don’t have to worry about being stopped in airport security! It’s all in one compact – foundation, contour, lip colors, eyeshadows, etc. and it’s that easy.

Does Seint have a skincare line?

Yes! The Seint cleanser, toner, and creme are sold separately or they can be purchased in a bundle along with Seint microfiber cloths. If you are new to skincare and looking for somewhere to start, the Seint skincare collection is the perfect place for you to begin. You can shop Seint’s skincare HERE. To learn more about skincare and how it goes hand in hand with your makeup, check out my Skincare Blog Post here!

Do I have to buy Seint makeup brushes?

Seint Official makeup brushes are specially curated to go hand in hand with the cream-based makeup. They make all the difference in the world and can help you achieve the makeup look you want depending on how it’s used, which brush is used, and what methods you use to apply Seint makeup. You can start off with a couple brushes or you can get the Brush Collection! Keep your brushes safe using the Brush Holder and cleaning them regularly.

How often should I clean my Seint makeup brushes?

I recommend cleaning your Seint beauty makeup brushes at least once a week and giving them a good deep clean once a month. Using the Seint Brush Cleanser, spray a paper towel or washcloth directly and lightly sweep/swirl your brushes over the towel to remove product build up. I use Dawn dish soap to disinfect my brushes once a month during their deep cleaning, making sure not to soak the brushes or press down too hard onto any brush mat that I use to clean them.

Photo of Seint Official makeup brushes

Do you use a primer with Seint makeup?

Primers aren’t always necessary but choosing the right products to prep your skin for your makeup is! You can use a sunscreen, setting spray, or normal primer before your makeup application – it doesn’t matter which one you use, but it does matter whether or not it’s made for your specific skin type! The key is less is more –  the more product you layer on your skin before applying your Seint makeup, the harder it will be for your makeup to adhere the way you want. 

I’ve put together some of my recommendations for primers categorized by skin type; for COMBINATION – OILY SKIN options, click HERE. For NORMAL – DRY SKIN options, click HERE. For dry skin, I also recommend the Seint Setting Spray!

Should I moisturize before applying Seint makeup?

The cream-based makeup contains ingredients that help moisturize and lock in moisture so not much else is needed, however if you have skin that is typically more dry, you can definitely moisturize before applying your Seint makeup.Make sure to only apply it to your driest areas and give it time to fully absorb into your skin before continuing with your makeup application. 

Photo of Seint Official makeup ingredients

What are Seint Demi Correctors?

Seint said it best:

“Demi Correctors is a carefully calibrated saturation of cream color that is strategically applied using a featherlight technique. Most of your skin remains untouched, resulting in an undetectable makeup that reveals the magic of your face.”

“Analyze the colors present in areas of your face you want to correct for, then utilize color solving to select shades from your palette to filter out any excess colors you don’t want, and infuse your skin with a natural luminosity.” 

“Using a Seint brush, apply a light touch of Demi Corrector directly to the places on your skin that need color correcting to achieve a flawless finish without layering and add texture with makeup.”

SEINT Lip & Cheeks

Below are some of my SEINT lip & cheek favorites for every day wear, different tones, and more. If you’ve been color matched by me for SEINT, you know I don’t usually match you to any lip colors but that’s because it comes down to personal preference. That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to give any recommendations!

Here are a couple graphics showing my favorites and how to distinguish between the tones of the SEINT blush colors. If you need recommendations, check out the graphics or leave a comment for me letting me know what tones you normally wear that you’d like to stick to! I’d love to give some lip color recommendations for you!

Grad Gift Guide

Be sure to check out the Seint & Beauty tab on the homepage for more blog posts about Seint makeup and products!

From Maskcara to Seint

seint maskcara seint artist seint makeup
Seint blog post cover photo

Recently, Maskcara Beauty has made a pretty significant change to the company; they have officially moved on from Maskcara to Seint. With their upcoming birthday (January 15th) right around the corner, they finally revealed the surprise we have all been dying to hear. That being said, I have been receiving so many questions about this big change – why, when, who, etc. So keep reading to hopefully answer what you’ve been wondering!

Why Did They Change the Name?

Maskcara Beauty will always be a beloved part of our story. As the brand has grown, we have seen some issues with the name Maskcara; that the story of Cara’s blog gets lost, that we don’t actually sell mascara, that we don’t believe that makeup is a “mask,” and perhaps most importantly that this isn’t just Cara’s story. We wanted a name that Artists particularly could connect to and feel a sense of ownership of. Recognizing and enhancing the beauty that already exists in every face has always been our inspiration, so we are changing our name to better reflect our mission.

I couldn’t have said it better myself! A huge part of Maskcara has always been the Artists. While it is a direct sales company, the Artists are intended to be there for their customers every step of the way, not just for sales. They are, in a sense, your personal makeup artist, answering any questions you might have and helping you recognize the beauty that’s already there. In addition, the decision to say goodbye to Maskcara and introduce Seint is one Cara felt represented the company better than it’s former name. Seint no longer associates itself with just one woman, but with many, especially the Artists who connect women to each other!

What Does "Seint" Mean?

Maskcara or Seint makeup application

Our brand is about bringing beauty to the world and enhancing the beauty in every face. We believe there is a truth and a wholeness in beauty, and that concept kept bringing us back to beauty being divine and holy. We wanted a name that embraces the idea that beauty can stand on its own. The name is inspired by our belief that seeking, experiencing, and cultivating beauty is a sacred work; the work of saints. Saints aren’t made or created; they are simply recognized for the good they bring to the world. In a similar way, we believe that we don’t make or create beauty; we recognize, nurture, and preserve it.

“Seint” is the traditional French spelling of the word “Saint” and it’s perfect to describe the work of Artists, helping women recognize the beauty they have and enhancing it. I have always loved Maskcara because the makeup isn’t meant to hide your true beauty compared to other brands. Instead, it helps you see the beauty that’s  there and bring it to light!

Have the Products Changed?

Brushes, perfectors, palettes, and the skincare line are all getting an updated look, but the functionality of the product will stay the exact same. You will notice a very subtle change with the Seint rebranded tins.​

Seint has updated all of their product packaging to reflect the name change and let me just say how gorgeous all of it is! The former Maskcara makeup brushes have also received a gorgeous update to both the look and the names. You can read more about them here!  Shown below are some of the updated packaging/products in addition to the new makeup bag, travel case, and brush holder. Even though the packaging has changed, the HAC (Highlight and Contour) method is still the same, tried and true. The tools are even more beautiful now to use as you apply your makeup!

Most products have received an update while others will be discontinued once their current stock is sold out. Those are: 

  • Milk Creme (Tidal)
  • Milk Toner (Tidal)
  • Milk Cleanser (Tidal)
  • Stay Setting Spray with SPF
 Any products that are limited edition/seasonal items will also be discontinued once they have sold out so make sure to go grab some of those goodies while they last! 

Overall, this company truly impresses me time and time again. The purpose, products, and Artist program have been an incredible experience to be a part of and I can’t wait to see how far it will go! I love being an Artist with this company and I have been one for going on 4 years now. The name Maskcara will forever hold a special place in my heart but I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Seint! Stay tuned for more and new products to come because there will be new eyeshadows, new foundation colors, and a brand new product ready to shine!