Rome wasn’t built in a day. In reality, it took a couple of hundred years. Anyway, the point is patience is foundational to success. That same mantra goes for most, if not all, aspects of life, including your makeup routine.
Are you embarrassed by your makeup skills? Here’s what to do
If you want to achieve that neat, awe-inspiring finish to your makeup, there are steps to be taken. Rushing things will hardly ever work out. Makeup application is fundamentally an art, and art calls for a calm and collected approach. So, how can you achieve that natural and flawless look?
Wash and Moisturize
Your face has lots of pores that hold hair follicles. These pores are tasked with producing your skin’s oils (a lot more if you have oily skin). So at any one time of the day, chances are you have some level of oil on your face. And oil and dirt always go hand in hand.
So before getting started on your makeup, wash your face with a gentle cleanser that supports your skin type. If you have dry skin, use a cream cleanser that will help in adding moisture to your skin. For oily skin, moisturize with a foam or gel cleanser to get rid of that extra bit of oil. Washing and moisturizing are the perfect way to get your face ready for all that’s coming next.
Prime Your Face
Before you lay on your foundation, use a primer to get your face in tip-top shape for the application of your foundation. Most people opt to skip this step, but it’s proving a vital step towards achieving a neat finish.
What exactly does a primer do? Well, it creates an extra layer between your skin and your makeup. Primers not only serve to smooth out your face’s surface, but they also help increase your makeup’s longevity. There’s also the added benefit of evening out your skin tone and reducing spots and blemishes on your face.
Conceal Away
Pimples are the worst uninvited guests that you might ever have to put up with. They show up at random times and may even bring with them a plus-one. So there you are, with a zit smack in the middle of your forehead (they just love it there, huh?). But worry no more, concealer to the rescue.
Before putting on concealer, though, you’ll want to start by sanitizing the zit with hand sanitizer. Follow that up with your primer, then lay on your concealer and finally your foundation. It sounds like a lot of extra steps, but if it means hiding that annoying pimple, then it’s worth the hassle.
Foundation First and Foremost
Picture a house with no floor at all. That sounds pretty weird. Well, that’s what foundation is to the rest of your makeup. It’s a platform on which everything is “made up.”
So even after pulling off your primer and concealer, have your foundation in place. With foundation comes the challenge of finding the right one, and that all comes down to your skin type. If you have oily skin, finding the right kind of foundation could prove to be an even more significant hurdle. So what should you be on the prowl for?
Well, the best foundation for oily skin should give you a natural look that’s both non-greasy and non-shiny. It should also be something that offers you protection from the sun by incorporating SPF protection. Oily skin foundation should give a smooth texture with a neat matte finish while also lasting as long as possible (12 hours at least is the standard). Foundation is the cornerstone for the rest of your makeup.
Eye Focus
The eyes form an intricate part of any makeup routine. They’re the sort of proverbial icing on the cake. So, how should you approach your eye makeup?
Well, nothing achieves that glam look like a dash of eyeliner. And the upside is, you don’t need to break the bank when choosing an eyeliner. The best drugstore liquid eyeliners are ready and waiting to serve you just as faithfully as designer brands. Be on the lookout for an eyeliner that’s long-lasting while achieving angled and ultrafine flex tips.
Add Some Color to Your Cheeks
A dash of blush creates a beautiful rosy effect that’s subtle yet noticeable. Blush can be used to achieve different looks depending on where and how it’s being applied. If you’re going for a sun-kissed look or a more traditional look, blush can add an extra layer of aesthetics that will elevate your look.
The trick with blush is in the application. For a simple, healthy, and natural glow, swirl a small amount of color onto your cheekbones and spread it out in circular motions. Another way to pull off glamorous blush is to place your formula about two fingers distance from your nose and the bottom of your eye and spread it out to achieve a balanced look.
Give Contours a Try
You might want to achieve a more angular face. Contours do just that. With minimal effort, you can get that desired lean look you desire. How may you ask?
The first step is to bring out your cheekbones by placing your fingers on either side of your face and feel the dip underneath. Place your contouring pigment just above that area. With a beauty blender, tap over the area. If you want to go a bit overboard, add a bit to your forehead, your nose’s bridge, and on your chin, then blend it in.
Finish Things Off with a Setting Spray
Now that your look is done and dusted, you want it to last for a while. The secret lies in the setting spray. This fantastic product will keep everything in place for the entirety of the day. So, go about your day without having to worry about doing re-touches to your look every other hour.
And voila, a simple guide on how to achieve that flawless and natural look. Makeup routines can get pretty intense, and there are times when trying to pull off a tidy look may seem daunting, but with these steps, it doesn’t have to be.
Resources — Allure, Glamour, Loreal Paris USA
