Guest Author - CC - Cathy Crispo
Applying makeup is actually easier than you think. Of course, with lots of practice you will be able to do it without even thinking about it.
Here are the application steps:
Foundation
Conceal
Powder
Blush
Eyeshadow
Eyeliner
Mascara
Lipliner
Lipstick
Let's go through them individually.
Foundation
Apply foundation over your entire face and don't forget to go over your eyelids, under your eyes and your lips. This will make for perfect even skin tone.
Conceal
Some people actually prefer to conceal before applying foundation but I find that sometimes your foundation may actually do the concealing for you and therefore allow you to skip this step. If however you do need to conceal, roll the concealer on to the area with your sponge or blot it on with your brush. You don't want to wipe it on like you did your foundation because then you'll actually take the foundation off.
Powder
All you need here is a very good dusting of powder. Remember to go over every area that you've applied foundation.
Blush
Applying blush before any other colours actually helps you to control the amount of cosmetics that you will be putting on. Some days, you may require less cosmetics than others and applying blush now, will help you to regulate that. Keep in mind that when applying blush, you should not go past the center of your eye and not lower than the tip of your nose. No racing stripes either please! Just blend in a circular motion and you'll be alright.
Eyeshadow
Depending on the look you are going for the application of eyeshadow will also vary. Typically, you will need three colours. The first colour should be a little lighter than your skin tone, the second should be a colour to complement your eye and hair colour and the third colour will be the lightest colour; preferably a pink or a white with a little shimmer in it. The first colour is also known as your lid colour. Apply that over the entire eye lid going as close to your lashes as possible and bringing the colour right up to under your eyebrows. The second colour is your crease colour and that will go into the hollow of your eye. Don't forget to blend here too because you don't want to see a clear defined line. Now, if you're an Asian beauty, you can apply this colour onto your eyelid from your lash line up to about the middle of your eyelid. The last colour is known as a highlighter and that colour goes just under your eyebrow.
Eyeliner
I prefer to apply eyeliner only to the top of the lash line. Start at the inner corner of your eye and draw a thin line out to the outside corner of your eye. Applying eyeliner just to the top makes for a bigger, brighter eye. If you must have eyeliner beneath your lower lashes, keep it very thin, start from the outside corner of your eye and bring it in only to the outside of your iris. Going all the way across can cause shadows and make you look like you haven't slept in days. Mind you, for an evening look, going all the way across is okay. Why? Because in the evening you will most often be surrounded by soft lighting which will illuminate the skin under your eyes.
Mascara
Apply mascara in a sawing motion; back and forth. This will ensure that you coat all sides of your lashes. Apply just a little bit to your lower lashes. You want just enough to take off any excess powder that may be sitting there.
Lipliner
Line your lips and colour them in. This helps to keep your lipstick on. Be careful with your cupid's bow; you don't want them pointy. Round is in.
Lipstick
Apply your lipstick with a lip brush and I promise you that your lipstick will last you twice as long. Blot off with a tissue by pressing the tissue to your lips. If you press down on the tissue by smacking your lips together, you can actually change the shape of your lips. Now apply more lipstick. For extra lipstick insurance, try not to press or rub your lips together and don't lick them either!
Voila! You're all done!
