Perfection in make-up does not mean that one has to apply more make-up products; rather, it means knowing how to apply the products correctly. Most of the best makeup jobs have one thing in common, that is, the skin still looks like skin, and everything has a natural appearance without being too harsh.
As you get dressed for an important event, work, or dinner, these seven tips on make-up could be of great help.
Always Start Make-up With Well-Prepped Skin
The secrets to beauty begin from the face even before the application of the foundation. Even the most expensive foundation available cannot work on a flaky or an excessively oily skin.
- Wash your face gently without using make-up if there is an excess of oil or any product left behind.
- Choose a moisturizer which would work well for you.
- Leave your skincare to settle for some time before applying your make-up.
- In the day time add sunscreen; let it sink in before your makeup.
- Try a primer like e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, Milk Make-up Hydro Grip, or Benefit The POREfessional to help you have an even base..
When the face is prepped properly, foundation will have a base on which it can be applied.
2. Choose Foundation That Looks Like Your Skin
Not everything about having perfect skin includes full coverage. Perfect skin means having an even surface on your skin but still maintaining some skin texture.
- Choose the correct base for your skin type. For instance, matte base suits oily skin well, whereas radiant or hydrating base might suit dry skin.
- Make sure that the color matches your neck and jaw line and not your hand.
- Apply a little bit of foundation to start with and then go on applying more where needed.
- The base should be applied from the center of your face going outwards.
- If you think you need more coverage then you could consider using NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, L’Oreal True Match, Maybelline Fit Me or Estee Lauder Double Wear.
All you really have to remember is that less is more..
3. Conceal Strategically, Not Everywhere
A common mistake when using make-up is that concealer is applied all over the face. It should be used only in places where it is needed.
- Apply just enough under the eyes; apply it more on the dark areas and not all around the under-eye area.
- Apply a pinpoint amount on the blemishes or redness; allow some time for the product to rest before blending it.
- Select a concealer that is almost similar in color to your foundation for the blemishes; select a brighter concealer for the under-eye lift.
Top concealer picks are:
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
• L’Oreal Infallible Concealer
Remember: Concealer is used to conceal and not apply over already applied make-up.
4. Use Powder Only Where You Need It
Powder may be useful to create the perfect finish, but excess application of the same will make you look dry.
- Keep your application of the under-eye area light; a little fluffy brush goes a long way instead of putting on heavy coverage.
- Apply your powder on your T-zone in case you are an oil-prone individual.
- Don’t powder your naturally glowing areas on your face; this adds some definition.
- Instead of employing rough movements to apply powder on your face, try using gentle strokes to apply it to your skin.
- Examples of setting powders include the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, HudaBeauty Easy Bake, and the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder.
This beautiful trick revolves around the use of the powder rather than applying it all over your face.
5. Define Your Features With Soft, Blended Color
- Contouring need not be dramatic for it to make any impact. Just a little contouring can be very effective for the overall look of your face.
Place the contour on the areas which will get natural sunlight such as the forehead, cheeks, and nose. - Remember that the color of the contour must be a shade darker than that of the bronzer.
- Make sure to blend everything well; any sharp lines immediately give the effect of poor quality makeup application.
- The blush has to be applied a little bit higher up since this makes you look fresh.
- You could select such brands like Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, NARS Blush, Milani Baked Blush, and Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer.
The following is a great guideline: as soon as you see the contour line, you have to touch it up.
6. Make the Eyes and Brows Look Polished, Not Overdone
Eye makeup need not always involve an elaborate eyeshadow application process; rather, simply having well-groomed brows, curled eyelashes, and good definition will work wonders for you.
- Brush up your brows; don’t fill in all areas, just the sparse patches.
- Choose a color that matches your hair color and must be light in color.
- The eyeshadow should have a neutral color so that you will have an elegant appearance on a daily basis.
- You can opt for the colors like brown, taupe, bronze, and champagne.
- Do curling of your eyelashes before putting on the mascara.
- Mascara should be applied from the bottom up and paying attention to the outer lashes.
Benefit, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Maybelline, and L’Oréal Paris have good eye and brow makeup.
It is not to ensure all the features fight for attention; rather, pick out what is important to you and balance the rest.
7. Finish With Lips and a Light Setting Mist
Sometimes it is these last touches that make the difference between regular make-up and an elegant appearance.
- Trace the outline of your lips using a lip liner; select a lip liner that is almost similar to the natural color of your lips.
- Applying the lipstick starts from the middle to the outer sides of the lips. Nude, rose, mauve, peach, and soft berries are some of the colors that one can apply to achieve an elegant appearance.
- Put some gloss in the center of your lips, which will give your look some depth without looking all shiny.
- Spray your lips lightly with a setting spray; don’t spray the bottle too close to your lips.
- MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, NYX Professional Make-up, Maybelline, and Urban Decay make popular lip and setting products.
A setting spray will come in handy to hold the layers together; it also gets rid of the powdery look that may be experienced after using many facial products.
The best type of make-up is not always the one which shouts out, “I am here; look at me!” rather it is the one which is so good that people envy your flawless skin before knowing what you are wearing..