Steps
Have an expert analyze your skin to see what type of skin you have: oily, combination, normal, dry, etc. Many cosmetic counters have someone there that can do a preliminary analysis of your skin, and recommend some products. If you are on a budget, see what the professional at the cosmetic counter recommends, then go to your local drug store and find a similar product for way less money!
Start with a freshly-washed face. Get a facial, or do one yourself. You want your face to be a clear and smooth canvass for you, the "artist," to do your art. Use a good deep cleansing mask. Do not exfoliate if you have oily or sensitive skin. It will spread bacteria around your face from the already existing blemishes.
If you have dry/normal skin, massage a light moisturizer into your face, avoiding the eye area! Wait a few minutes for it to soak into your skin.
Apply a sheer foundation that matches your skin tone.
To find the right one, go to the makeup counter at a local department store and have the artist there help you.
Use a makeup sponge or wedge, starting around the hairline and working your way down. (Use the wedge for this routine because you can be more precise about where the make up goes.)
Remember to apply the make up all the way down to your throat area and keep blending so you can't see where the make up ends.
Around the eye area, do very light strokes inward, toward the inner corner of your eye. Don't forget to apply it to your upper eyelid too.
Remember to blend all the makeup into your hairline.
Apply concealer to any red or discolored spots. Do this after applying foundation, so you don't use too much (many makeup artists do this the other way around). First apply the concealer, then pat very lightly with your finger to blend. Only apply concealer to the area that you want to conceal. Afterwards, use the wedge to blend the concealer in with the foundation. Stand back away from your mirror to see if you have effectively concealed the areas.
Apply a loose powder all over the face using a powder brush. Pat it into the powder; then, with a paper towel, tap the brush so the excess falls off the brush. Lightly brush across the whole face. Use a powder puff (small) to apply powder on the upper lid. Apply a bronzer to your forehead, cheeks, and chin, if wanted.
Highlight your brow bone and cheek bones by applying a light powder just below the brow, and to the highest part of your cheek.
Apply a small amount of blush to the apples of your cheeks. Smile so you can see the apple of your cheek. Start the application at the apple and drag the blush outward toward your temple, following your cheek bone. Blend the color down a bit below your cheekbone in towards your earlobe.
If you added too much color to the brush, use the clear side of your wedge to blend it in more until the color is faded out a bit. Your cheeks should have a hint of color. You don't want to look like a clown!
Take a fluffy powder brush and blend everything together, so that there are no visible lines or excess powders.
Line your lips with a liner that matches your lip color. Make sure your lip liner pencil is sharpened, but not too sharp. Line around the natural line of your lips. Trying to create a fuller lip by dragging the lip pencil outside your lipline is for professionals. You might just look like you've been slapped in the lips!
Apply lipstick or lip gloss with a brush. It will spread it evenly. It's a good idea to brush your lip brush in your lipstick then some of your lip gloss for a nice light shine.
Line your eyes. Lightly pull one closed eyelid straight to the side and line it with a brown or soft black liner. For a more appealing look, apply liner with very light strokes to the upper lid, stroking toward the outer corner of the eye. To blend, use the angle brush. For a more natural looking eyeline, dip the angle brush in some of your darker eyeshadow. Use a very light amount, or use the applicator tip. For the bottom lid, use a very light amount on the outer corner.
Next, put on the eyeshadow. Most eyecolors come with two or three colors on the palette. The lighter color is for the lid. The darker color is for the crease on the lid, just below the eye bone. Apply the lighter tone first to the lid, spreading upwards to near the crease. For this, use the applicator that came inside the package. For the darker color, using your eyeshadow brush, dip into eye color and tap the brush to lose the excess. Apply inside the crease of the eye. You can find the crease by looking straight ahead. Your eye makes its own crease. Blend the color toward the outer corner of your eye. Sometimes you can blend it around to the bottom lid, but very lightly. The lightest color is for under the browbone. Use the applicator to apply right on the browbone just under the brow line. Make sure to use the larger eyeshadow brush to blend all the colors.
Use eyebrow pencil color that is very close to your natural eyebrow color. Here you just want to fill in missing areas. (It might behoove you to visit a makeup person that can arch your eyebrows correctly. If you've never done it yourself, have someone do it for you.) Your eyebrow should look very natural. If you do apply eyebrow pencil to any part of your eyebrow, use the angled brush to blend it into your brow with very light strokes.
Use a lash curler first before applying any mascara. There are several mascaras to choose from depending on the look you want. If you have short lashes, use a mascara that will add length...if you have thin lashes, use a volumizing mascara. Never pump your mascara brush in and out of the mascara. This causes air pockets. Dip the brush in the mascara once and lightly wipe off the excess onto a paper towel. Looking downward, apply to the top lash with upward strokes. Start with the inner part and work your way outward. Do both eyes with two coats then let dry. After a few seconds, do the bottom lids. It's better to apply to the very outer part of the lash on the bottom lid. This will open your eye more.
Use a pressed powder to lightly powder the rest of your face, and the area under your eyes. Use very light pressure. Keep your pressed powder in your purse for touch ups.
Tips
Make sure all of these colors go with your skin, eyes, and hair colors.
Use a liquid-to-powder foundation to save time and skip powder application.
For the best results, apply your makeup with good lighting.
Trick for lips: After applying your lip pencil to your lip line, rub your lips together so the lip pencil color spreads inside your lips. Now you can apply your lipstick, gloss, whatever color you prefer. Or, fill in your lips with the liner, as well as the outer edge, to help your lipstick last longer.
Always blot your freshly painted lips lightly with a tissue.
Get your beauty rest so you won't have bags under your eyes.
Keep in mind the difference between day makeup, night makeup, and special occasions. Day makeup is light and hinted with neutral colors. Night makeup is more strongly hinted but never very heavy or caked on. Use stronger colors. Special occasions take special items like false eyelashes, liquid liners, and highlighting under the eyes. Look at the magazines around awards season.
When choosing eye makeup, take the occasion into consideration. For everyday makeup, just use a pencil. Black or dark brown will do--but remember, the only women who should use black are those with black hair. Match your hair color (original), if possible.
Liquid eyeliners are best for special occasions. Your eyeliner should be more natural looking for day makeup, and can be a bit heavier for evening looks. If you want a more dramatic look, dot the eyeliner under the lash line, then use the angle brush to blend. Your mascara will bring the eyes out more.
The key to good makeup is to not look like you are wearing makeup at all.
Always apply a foundation that contains at least an SPF of 15. If your foundation does not contain sunscreen apply a separate sunscreen before starting your makeup routine. Wearing sunscreen will keep your skin looking healthy and decrease the likelihood of wrinkles.
Exercise! Why are younger people traditionally more beautiful? They have a higher metabolism and better circulation. There is no make-up in the world that can replace what a minimum of twenty minutes a day of high circulation and sweat (yes...sweat!) does for the skin.
Take as much time as you like! It allows you to figure out what looks best on your face. If you try to rush you might do some damage to your skin by dragging.
If your skin doesn't look smooth, put foundation on before the other makeup, making it look smooth.
Warnings
Make sure you are not allergic to any products you use.
Don't make any straight lines or visible lines with your blush or foundation.
Don't over apply. Always try to keep it simple.
Don't spend big money on small items like lip pencils, mascara, eyebrow pencils. You should frequent beauty supply stores. Target discount stores are fast becoming a great place to go for several make up tools.
Drugstores and beauty supply stores are good sources of trend colors of make-up, or things that you don't wear every day. Buy your foundation at the department store; that way, you can make sure that the color exactly matches your skin tone and the formula gives you the right coverage for your skin type.
Be aware that many concealers, cover ups, or foundations may fade or turn orange in the sun. Before actually applying the product, test it on your hand, the area near the base of your thumb. Do your daily activities and see of the product stays the same color, fades, or etc.
Don't use soap to take off mascara. It can damage your eye lashes badly.
2006-08-09 09:25:45
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answer #8
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answered by Tea_Girl 4
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