Makeup basics - Fill your face

Friday, July 12, 2013

I wish I was one of these girls that could recreate all these amazing looks that I see people wearing but at the end of the day I am pretty useless! I have made a promise to myself to experiment a little more and watch a few tutorials. After all practice makes perfect right!

Anyway being completely useless at all things arty I have had to do my research on the basics (I have to at least get that right!!)

So I thought I would share with you a few bits of advice on makeup and application that I have picked up through the years of research.

Beautiful eyes

They say our eyes are the window to our souls and everyone knows a window should be dressed properly. You can make your eyes appear bigger by using a liner as close to the lash line as possible on both the upper and lower lashes. By making the line on the top lash thicker towards the end of the eye will make your eyes appear wider. Choosing lighter colour eyeshadows like beiges and golds and applying white or silver shades at the inner corners of your eyes will really make them stand out. I have seen a great white liner in urban decay that i want desperatly.

Using a primer before applying your eyeshadow will help to avoid creasing as well as increase the longitivity of your shadow.
Remember to use a bit of highlighter on the brow bone for further definition.

Application tip 1. Always put your eyeshadow on first to avoid rubbing off your foundation during application. Applying foundation afterwards means that you can sweep away and cover any loose powder that has fallen under the eye area.

Application tip 2: Apply shadow on your lid, the contour crease, and the line around your eye as a liner.

Next my makeup must have…Foundation of course.

Foundation

Best to try and start on the right foot here, there is no point in getting the foundation right if you haven’t used a good primer, this admittedly is something I have only just started doing myself and let me tell you as a foundation full coverage lover this is a must!! Primer helps keep your foundation on all day, and will help create a smooth natural look I am currently addicted to Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.

The next big choice when it comes to foundation is liquid of powder?? For me it HAS to be liquid every time. Whether you want light, medium or full coverage, liquid is the way to go. The problem that I find with using a powder alone is that is never truly matches your skin tone and you get that dry unnatural look with it. There are many benefits to choosing a liquid, mainly that it lasts longer and can be matched better to your skin tone which allows for a more flawless and natural look. When buying foundation I often choose one shade darker than my natural colour (just my preferance).

Application tip: When you apply your foundation try to cover up uneven spots, breakouts, and redness and areas that are needed, avoiding covering your entire face. And don’t forget to blend, blend, blend, there’s nothing worse than a foundation ring around your face!!

Application tip 2: Always use a translucent powder to finish off your foundation as this help gets rid of any shine. (A must for me as I like a matte finish due to my naturally oily skin) I've just picked up Photo Set powder By Smashox so i'll let you know how i get on with that.

All the cheeky things

It Is very important that you get this right please don’t pile loads of bright pink blush all over your cheeks! You neced a complimenting blush ( pick a shade that is suited to your skin tone and hair colour, I am currently loving the coral shades as they are great for my tone), a matte bronzer (I like Hoola by Benefit as it isn’t too dark), and a highlighter ( I am currently in love with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle).

First apply the blush directly on the cheek bone and swept outward to help them stand out then use your matte bronzer beneath your cheekbone to create a shadow effect. Then give your face a nice fresh look with your highlighter this will also help to highlight your bone structure.

Lovely Lashes

Don’t under estimate the power of an eyelash curler! Curl your lashes first and then apply your first coat of mascara. I prefer waterproof mascara as I am a big cry baby, I currently have a thing for the DiroShow mascara that I reviewed earlier on this month. I have read recently that it is best not to use waterproof all the time due to the difficultly in removing it which can pull out your lashes and irritate your eyes from all the rubbing.

You may even wish to curl again before applying your second coat of mascara.

Lushious Lips

Don’t be frightened of colour just make sure you pick a shade that is best suited to your skin tone and hair colour if you are in a panic and overwhelmed by choice go for a pink colour as there is a shade out there for everyone!

If you are a red head go for a pink shade with a hint of purple in it for the perfect contrast to your beautiful hair, blondes are better going for a lighter shade like dreaminess by Mac or something a little brighter even like elegant pink by Dior. For us brunettes fuchsia shades are the way forward, I have a gorgeous sparkly fuchsia gloss from Lancome that I just love!

If you want to play it down go for a nude gloss of lipstick that compliments your look shy girl by max is one of my new favs at the minute.