MAKE-UP MADE EASY
I’m often asked how to properly apply make-up so this month I will be bringing step by step tips to help you achieve a professional make-up look.
These guidelines will work with any type of look, you can use all or just a few of the steps that are included, for example, if you are going for a natural day look you might choose to skip the eyeshadow and eyeliner step. I only use foundation on my clients when necessary, if you have a fairly even skin tone then go without and just use concealer to cover any redness or blemishes. If you want to achieve an on trend dewy skin, mix a small amount of light reflecting moisturiser with a your foundation and apply with a foundation brush.
Remember there are no set rules in make-up so these tips will simply teach you how to best enhance your features using the colours that suit you.
Begin any make-up application by moisturising skin and conditioning lips
It is best to allow your moisturiser time to absorb before you begin applying your foundation.
Use a primer all over your face, including your eyelids, this will give your make-up extra staying power and make it easier to blend, I love Laura Mercier , Foundation Primer £27:00. Apply your foundation using a foundation brush, MAC no:187 is my favourite.
Conceal under the eyes, any blemishes and around the nostrils, I use MAC studio finish £12:50, there are shades to suit every skin tone it gives amazing coverage and also contains an SPF of 35.
Next use the “drop cloth” trick of depositing loose powder across the cheek bones and under the eyes to catch any eye make-up fallout, this will be brushed off later.
Now on to the eyes, to really make your eyes stand out you will need to use three shades of eye shadow, one light, one medium and one dark. There are a huge selection of palettes available with 3-4 colours in that are great for this method, I really like smash box panorama trio palettes which start from £12:99. The lightest shadow is going to go over the entire eye area, from the lash line up to the eyebrow; the medium shade will go across your eyelid from the lash line to slightly beyond the crease. I work with a minimal amount of product on a large shadow brush, it is always easier to add more colour rather than take it away.
Finally the darkest shade will go on the outer corners of the eyelid and into the crease for extra definition, now using a soft eye shadow brush blend, blend, blend until it looks completely seamless.
Depending on your chosen look you can add eyeliner above or below the lash line to defuse any harsh lines use a small soft brush or a cotton bud. You can also add some kohl liner in the inside of your lash line Rimmel Kohl liner £2:99 is brilliant for this.
To open up the eyes and give the lashes length use an eyelash curler and add two coats of mascara top and bottom, The new Falsies Mascara by Maybelline is amazing, you’ll love the price too at just £7:99.The spoon shaped brush really helps fan lashes out, if you make any mistakes simply remove using a cotton bud.
The eyebrows really frame the face and it’s important that they are properly groomed, there are a few choices when it comes to this, plucking, waxing or my personal favourite threading. You should have this done professionally and believe me, once you discover threading you will never look back. Once you have achieved a shape you are happy with take an sharpened eyebrow pencil and fill any gaps using little feather like strokes, use an eyebrow brush to shape and for any unruly hairs use a brow gel, Benefit, speed brow £12:00 is great for this.
Now that the eyes are done you can brush away the excess loose powder which you applied earlier from under the eyes.
Apply a powder blush with a blush brush on the apples of your cheeks, use Les Tissages from CHANEL £30:50. To find the apples of your cheeks, look in the mirror and smile, the rounded pillow area is where you want to apply the blush. Alternatively you can opt for a cream blush which will give a more natural sheeny look.
Highlight your brow bones, the inner corners of your eyes and above your cheekbones using a small fluff brush, a light coloured shimmer shadow such as phloof by MAC £11:00 will double up brilliantly as a highlighter.
Now for the lips, you can just simply apply a gloss DIOR Addict Lip Polish £20:50 smooths lips to perfection. For plumper looking lips apply a small amount of highlighter to your cupids bow and in the center of your bottom lip. If you prefer a more defined look then apply a lip liner and your chosen lip colour with a lip brush. Sometimes one simple change can transform a face, just by using a darker lip colour you add amazing impact. This one easy step takes you from casual to dressy, and from elegantly understated to intense!
Finally a dusting of powder sets everything or if to set without powder use MAC FIX + £11:00
