Make-up has the power to enhance our natural features and give us that extra boost of confidence. However, not everyone is an expert in the art of make-up, and it can be overwhelming trying to navigate the vast array of products and techniques. Luckily, some simple and effective make-up tricks can help elevate your beauty game and achieve a flawless finish.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips and tricks are guaranteed to help you achieve a polished look in no time. From mastering the art of winged eyeliner to creating the illusion of fuller lips, these make-up hacks will have you feeling like a make-up pro in no time.
Start fresh
The key to achieving a flawless makeup application is starting with a clean and moisturized canvas. By cleansing and moisturizing your face before applying makeup, you create a smooth and hydrated base for your products to adhere to. A gentle exfoliation can also help to slough off any dead skin cells and create a smooth surface for your makeup to glide over.
Timing is also crucial when it comes to applying makeup. It’s important to apply your makeup immediately after washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing your face, as any delay can result in the skin becoming dehydrated and flaky. This means that you should avoid any activities that might cause a delay, such as checking your phone or doing household chores until you have completed your makeup routine.
Finish with eye makeup before face makeup
One key step to achieving a mess-free eye makeup look is to apply your eye makeup before your foundation, blush, and concealer. This way, you can easily clean up any fallout or smudging without ruining your base makeup.
Another essential step is to prep your eyelids with a primer or cream shadow. This will help to create a smooth and even base for your eye makeup, while also ensuring that it stays in place all day. A good primer will also help to prevent creasing and fading, ensuring that your eye makeup looks fresh and vibrant all day long.
Showcase eyes via Black or brown gel pencil
To create a well-defined and polished look, waterproof eyeliners have become increasingly popular. Unlike kohl pencils which are often less pigmented and brush-on gels that can be messy, these liners offer a perfect balance. They give a defined look to the eyes while also being less harsh than liquids or markers. To get the most out of these liners, it is best to rest your elbow on a table or any sturdy surface for a steady hand. Begin by looking straight ahead into a mirror, raising your chin slightly, and sketching along the base of the upper lid with small back-and-forth movements.
Start from the outer eye and work inwards, stopping three-quarters of the way in and tapering off. Make sure to get as close to the lash roots as possible to fill in any gaps. It’s important to remember that dense pigment, rather than line thickness, creates a strong border. To further enhance your eye shape, “tight-line” the waterline under the upper lashes by gently pressing the brow bone to expose the underside of the rim and lining it. Use a light touch when lining beneath the eyes, or for a more dramatic effect, line the lower-lid waterline instead.
Spend more on the curler, less on mascara
Achieving the perfect curl and length for your lashes can make a world of difference in your overall makeup look. The key to getting a long-lasting and effective curl is by using a quality lash curler. Investing in a curler from trusted brands like Kevyn Aucoin, Shiseido, or Bobbi Brown ensures that you won’t have to deal with pinched, crimped, or broken lashes. Look for a curler with a well-designed shape, hinge, and padding that suits your eye shape and size.
To use the curler, place it near the base of your lashes and gently close it, making sure not to pinch your eyelid or lashes. Hold it in place for about 30 seconds before releasing. For a finishing touch, use a low-cost black mascara from your local shop, which is just as effective as high-end brands. When applying mascara, start from the curled roots and use a zigzag motion while moving towards the tips. This method ensures that the heaviest concentration of product is at the base, where it adds volume and thickness to your lashes. Remember to replace your mascara every three months to keep your lashes healthy and prevent infections.
Use neutral shadows to accentuate eyes
Choosing natural hues that complement your eye colour is always a safe bet. For those with darker eyes, warm tones like golds, bronzes, and browns can enhance their natural depth and beauty. Meanwhile, cooler tones like silvers, blues, and greys tend to suit those with lighter eyes. You don’t need to be a contouring expert to make your eyes pop.
Applying a pale, shimmery shadow on your lids can brighten and add sparkle to tired eyes, while a medium shade blended in the crease and just above it can minimize any fleshy overhang and create the illusion of larger eyes. For a more dramatic look, using the darkest browns and charcoals as a smoky topcoat for your gel eyeliner can help soften the look or conceal any mistakes.
Fix your brows
Your eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face as they play a significant role in expressing your emotions. Therefore, it’s crucial to take care of them, regardless of whether you wear glasses or a fringe. The goal is to keep it looking natural while filling, extending, and grooming your brows to perfection. Use a brow pencil to create short, feathery strokes that follow the direction of hair growth. If some areas are sparse, you can use powder to add depth, which will adhere to the pencil base. Finally, use a spiral brush or an old, clean mascara wand to blend the product for a flawless finish.
Focus on brightness, not coverage
Instead of opting for a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly, go one shade warmer or more golden. This will not only counteract any sallow or ashy appearance but also neutralize redness or rosacea.
When selecting a foundation, look for the term “luminous” in the product name. It ensures that the formula contains light-reflecting particles that give your skin an incandescent glow – like swallowing a light bulb! It’s the perfect way to restore radiance to your face.
And, let’s face it, great-looking skin is your biggest beauty asset. So, don’t shy away from dewy and sheer foundations. Opt for a highly pigmented and grown-up formula that will make you look like you’re not wearing any makeup at all.
Use makeup brushes
As we age, our skin develops a unique texture with expression lines, fine wrinkles around the eyes, and some discolourations. But don’t worry – it’s all-natural, and even celebrities have them (thanks to Photoshop). Heavy makeup coverage is not the solution; it only makes the skin look caked and unnatural. Instead, opt for silky synthetic brushes that mimic the skin’s texture, providing a natural-looking finish.
Using a foundation brush, start from the centre of your face and blend the foundation outwards, gradually fading it off towards the jaw and hairline for a seamless look. Employ circular and back-and-forth motions, and ensure it blends well in areas like nostrils, under the nose, around the lips, and nose-to-mouth creases where makeup tends to settle.
For concealing blemishes, dark circles under the eyes, or specific brown spots, use a smaller concealer brush to tap-blend. Apply it at the inner corner next to the nose and any other areas that require additional coverage. Remember to blend well to ensure a seamless and natural-looking finish.
Apply cream blush to highest points on cheekbones
To achieve a radiant and youthful look, apply a creamy blush to the highest points of your cheekbones. This technique effortlessly adds life and energy to your face, while seamlessly blending into your skin for a natural-looking flush. It also draws attention towards your eyes and away from any distracting elements, resulting in a fabulous overall look.
For optimal results, select a vivid and clear shade of pink, rose, apricot or red, depending on your skin tone. Don’t be intimidated by the initial brightness, as it will easily soften with a gentle tap-blend, melting seamlessly into your skin. Say goodbye to powder blush and embrace this cream formula for a fresh and flawless finish.
Switch up your lipstick and lipliner
To achieve a perfectly defined pout, it’s important to start by matching your lip liner to your natural lip tone. Use the liner to sketch the borders, correcting any faded, asymmetric or thinning upper-lip line by slightly rounding the bow rather than creating new points.
Next, fill in your entire mouth with the liner to create a base that will prevent the formation of a ring around the mouth and stop your lipstick from migrating into lines. When selecting lipstick, choose a creamy formula over gloss. If you prefer nude shades, skip the pale hues and opt for shades that match your lip colour and liner. If you’re feeling adventurous, dare to try a new-for-you shade such as peachy pink, rose or red, which will beautifully complement your whitened teeth and dazzling smile.
