How you wear your makeup depends largely on your style and personality. Do you like the natural look, enhancing skin tones and colors without making the presence of cosmetics obvious? Or do you prefer to wear bold, dramatic colors?
In either case, certain makeup essentials are necessary to get the job done right. To begin, use concealer to hide facial skin blemishes and to even the tone of dark circles below the eyes caused by sleep loss. Next, use powder or liquid foundation color to even and smooth the skin of the face, or use bronzer for a tanned appearance.
Use eyeliner pencils to enhance the eyebrows or define the contour of the eyes. For more dramatic results, use liquid eyeliner instead of a pencil. Add a touch of neutral eye shadow for a natural look, or play up the eyes with bold, bright colors that make a statement. Complete eye makeup with the application of mascara to the lashes.
Outline lips with lip liner, and use the lip liner as a base for lipstick. Choose from satin, matte, or glossy finishes. Add blush to the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones and add glow to the skin. To set the makeup and keep it looking fresh longer, use face powder. This will also help to reduce oily shine.
Accenting skin complexion
Selecting the right makeup includes taking into account age, skin complexion, and skin composition. These are critical factors when it comes to choosing the right cosmetics. For example, teens who wear makeup will want to avoid putting on a "stage face." Use a few simple cosmetics to enhance features and create a fresh, clean look.
Generally, Asian persons will find that a foundation or powder with a yellow base will work best for their skin. Powders or foundations with pink bases will often result in an unnatural appearance and are best avoided. Likewise, Latino Americans should choose colors that enhance their striking looks and stay away from brighter colors that could clash with their skin tones.
The darker skin of African Americans contains complex undertones with different shades. Choose shades carefully to complement and draw out these subtle colors, or ask the advice of a beauty consultant for help in identifying the undertones.
The natural tendency of women is to apply more makeup as they age, to hide the aging process. Unfortunately, this strategy isn't always helpful. Sometimes it's best to ease up and apply a few simple makeup touches that enhance natural tones. This will have a better effect than applying excessive makeup.
Caring for makeup
Makeup only lasts so long. After that, the chemical composition begins to break down, resulting in new colors, textures, and strange smells. Don't use expired makeup; these products can be dangerous to the skin. It won't look right, either.
How long does makeup last? It depends on the product, but generally concealer and liquid foundations will last between three and six months. After that the texture will change, and it may start to smell bad. Foundation powders should last for approximately one year.
Mascara should be thrown out and replaced after three months. This is because it is most susceptible to bacterial contamination. Replace it to avoid developing an eye infection. Liquid eyeliners should also be replaced after three months. Pencil eyeliners should be replaced at least once a year.
Replace lipstick when it starts to smell, and replace lip gloss every six months. Wand lip gloss can be safely used for at least a year. Lip liners are sharpened with frequent use, and this cleans the pencil. Therefore, lip liner pencils really don't have an expiration date. The same is true of eyebrow pencils.
Usually, blush powders have a longer shelf life than creams. Keep the blush brush clean and help keep blush powder fresh. If it starts to smell or the texture changes, however, it's time for a change.
Cosmetic application accessories
A few tools are required to properly apply or remove cosmetics. First, buy a storage container to keep all the cosmetics together. An aluminum makeup artist case works well for this purpose.
Next, buy a good makeup mirror. One with 7x resolution is optimal for small details. Consider a lighted mirror as well. Some even feature adjustable lighting, which can help the user adjust application techniques to day or evening lighting.
Buy a good blush brush and wash it regularly. A good brush will be large and fluffy. A good lip brush is also the best way to apply makeup. This will cause lip color to be more subtle and last longer.
In comparison, an eye shadow brush should have stiff bristles. Use narrower brushes for eye creases. Many people also prefer to curl their eyelashes before applying mascara. The purpose of an eyelash curler is to help define and curl the eyelashes.
Don't forget to remove your makeup before going to sleep. Use a makeup remover that takes oil and makeup off the skin without drying it out. If you forget to remove makeup, especially if you're wearing foundation or powder, you may experience breakout, skin irritation, or acne as a result. Instead, remove it at night and let your skin breathe so that it will be fresh when you start all over again tomorrow morning!