Being new to the world of beauty products can seem a little scary at times and, even if you're not new, stepping out of your comfort zone can also be a little terrifying. Whether you're new to this or just stuck in a rut-of-a-daily-beauty-routine and want to break out I've gathered some tips and tricks for puttin' your face on. Some of these I've learned from beauty gurus, some on my own and some just through the funny mistakes I've noticed on myself and sometimes others.
Rule number one of everything: cleanse and moisturize. Well, the cleanse part should really be a no brainer but I know all about being too tired at the end of the night and just wanting to crash. Do your skin a favor and just wash your makeup off straight away when you get home from work.
Even if your skin is oily find a moisturizer catering to your skins specific needs. We're lucky to live in a time that there are literally hundreds of different ones to choose from. It may take some time to find it but your holy grail moisturizer is out there! Oily skin can still be dehydrated! And always wait at LEAST 5 or 10 minutes after applying moisturizer to apply your makeup otherwise it will most likely just slip and slide all over your face and be really noticeable.
I'm going to take my tips in the order that I apply my makeup on a daily basis.
1. Primer.
Whether its eyes or face I personally think primer is a good idea. When it comes to face primers I've never found one that actually smooths my skin or makes my pores smaller but they do help your makeup stay on a bit. This might just be me but I really like knowing that I've got something between my skin and my foundation so that it isn't going to just sink into my pores. Eye primers are really just a must. I wasn't sure if I was a believer but then I went without one for a few days. Big difference!
2. Get shade matched!
Even if you're not planning on shelling out a bunch of cash on a high-end foundation go to your nearest Sephora or department store and ask to be shade matched and get a sample. Don't go wearing a big winter coat or turtleneck, make sure some of your upper body is exposed (arms, shoulders, neck etc) our faces are often lighter than the rest of our bodies and you really want to look like your whole body is one color. Use the sample until it runs out to make sure you are agreeing with the match and then (if you're not convinced that its worth the big price tag) you'll have a much better idea of what you're looking for in drugstore shades.
3. Eyebrows.
These are tricky and you need to play around with it to figure out what works best for YOU. The one piece of advice I can give is that the colour of pencil or powder you use to fill them in should NOT be as dark as your hair. Go for a lighter, more muted shade to look more natural.
4. Undereye concealer.
Not everyone needs it. Personally, I like using it on myself because the couple sleepless nights I've had with my baby have taken a toll on the circles under my eyes. Don't go too light with concealer under the eyes. A little lighter will make your eyes appear brighter but too light looks unnatural. Make sure you blend it out!
5. Powder.
Use a large fluffy brush and a light hand when applying powder. You don't want to just push around the liquid products you've put on your face. Shade matching can again come into play but you can always go for a translucent powder and not have to worry about it.
6. Eyeshadow.
If you have crepey or wrinkly lids, avoid shimmery shadows there. They will accentuate it. If you have hooded eyes, avoid shimmer in the crease. When you are applying crease colour, keep your eyes open and relaxed. This is especially important if you have hooded eyes. Sure, your eyeshadow will look fantastic when your eyes are closed but what good does that do for ya? You need to be able to see how it's going to sit when you're awake and looking at people.
7. Eyeliner.
Keep your eyes open when you're applying gel or liquid liner. You'll get a much more crisp line and you'll be able to properly see what you're doing. I don't mean hold them wide open, just enough so that you can see. Again, if it only looks great with your eyes closed, what's the point? Probably most importantly, remember to blink. Your body will do it involuntarily at a very inopportune time so take mini breaks to blink and you'll avoid black streaks all over your lids.
8. Mascara
It's pretty straight forward I think but I maybe not to everyone. Go slow with it. Rushing will probably just end with a poke in the eye which leads to watery eyes and smeared makeup. Starting over when you're nearly done is never fun.
9. Contouring and highlighting.
This is probably the one I see the most mistakes with. This step can actually alter how the shape of your face looks. It is the most effective way into tricking others into thinking you have high model-esque cheekbones. But you dont want to look like a tub of Neapolitan ice cream.
Two popular bronzing powders that people use to contour are NARS Laguna and MAC blunt. While these shades look gorgeous on many girls, they may not suit you. Find a shade that isn't too orange or muddy looking.
Make sure you're contouring the right spot. Some say feel for the hollows of your cheeks, some say suck in your cheeks and place it where your cheeks go in and some say use the line from the top of your ear to the corner of your mouth as a guide. These 3 things are all in slightly different places on me. The truth is, everyone's face has a different shape and one way may not work for you. You've got to play around with it and find out which suits you. It MUST be matte. No shimmer.
Last but definitely not least, it's meant to look like a shadow not a brown streak across the side of your face. Look straight ahead into the mirror after doing one side. You're sure to notice that side looking more chiseled with a light wash of colour.
Blush is something I feel like I still struggle with applying. The best advice I can give you is to smile, apply it to the fattest part of your cheeks (haha) and then take your powder brush and blend like hell. Make sure the edges look like soft and not like clown makeup. The best way to start off is with a light shade until you get the hang of it.
Applying highlight is much easier. Just a light sweep over the top of your cheekbones right where light would naturally hit your face. Make sure not to overdo it especially if you don't apply your makeup in natural light.
10. The finishing touches.
Setting spray is a godsend. I have to set my foundation with powder to keep the grease at bay but I hate the look of powdery makeup. Not only does my holy grail setting spray (Urban Decay DeSlick) soften the look of my powder it also helps to battle oil. It really does make my makeup last longer, too!
On a side note, applying your makeup in natural light will always make it look best. If you don't have a space where you can get ready with the sun then just make sure you grab a mirror and check out your work near a window before heading out for the day. You can fix and blend out foundation lines, soften up eyeshadow that may seem too dark or blend out your blush before you grace the world with your beautiful face!
And always remember, it's your face! I wrote this post as a possible guiding light for people looking for advice but if you have a certain way you like to apply your makeup and you feel beautiful then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!
Tweet me! @JimiRayy
Drop me a line! sarahlouisenickelboard@gmail.com
