Any tips on how to do complete makeup?

Question

I am rubbish at applying my make-up lol. Mascara always ends up above and under my eyes lol Do I need to squint for five mins to stop my lashes touching my face? I just find it hard to put on - I just end up using clear mascara instead.
My foundation sometimes seems to look bitty or streaky depending on if i use powder or liquid. I cant get blusher looking as nice as I'd like either lol
So basically - How do you put on your make-up well so it looks smooth and well... nice?

Answer 1

Hi there!

I have worked as a professional make-up artist for 15 years and I understand how difficult it is to achieve a flawless look.

First of all make sure your skin is cleansed and moisturised - the healthier your skin is the better the finished result will be.

Make sure your brushes are clean and your colour is in good condition.

When it comes to foundation a liquid one usually performs better or if you don't need much coverage then try a tinted moisturiser. Spend a bit of time getting the colour and shade correct - enlist the help of friends or a make-up consultant in a store.

Apply concealer over the foundation to help it blend better and so you can see where it needs to go.

Use a light dusting of translucent powder using a clean, large brush to set your base and then you are ready to apply colour.

Start with your eyes - if you are unsure of colour just practice - if you make a mistake you can always wash it off and start again.
There are many looks out there and sometimes it is just a case of looking in magazines to find a look you like and copying it at home. When it comes to mascara I always look straight ahead and then look down with just my eyes while I apply - it puts you in a better position to avoid smudging. Start in the middle and then look up slightly to apply to the outer eyelashes. It really just takes a bit of practice.

Apply lipstick next.

Apply your blusher last. It makes it easier to adjust the depth of colour once your lip colour is in place - use a medium sized clean brush to pick up the colour, give the brush a shake to get rid of any excess colour and start at the apple of the cheek, just below the centre of your eye and sweep the colour along the cheekbone in an upward stroke. Start with a little colour and build it up - it is easier to add colour than to take it away.

If you want tips from the professionals, there are MAC training dvd's available on the internet for £3.99 that are full of tips and ideas.

Knock 'em dead.
X

Answer 2

Start by using a good concealer, I use Rimmel Hide the Blemish. Only use it where you need cover. Make sure you blend it outwards so you don't get the clay mountain effect. Then if you can get away with it don't use foundation or use tinted moisturiser instead. Try using your findertips and start at your nose and work outwards, this should stop you getting that horrible line round your head, use a tiny bit at a time. Then, for mascara, try putting your finger over your eyelid, this shouold mean any mascara you usually get on your eyelid will instead go on your finger.

Get a bronzer that is quite light. Use a large blusher brush (one of the big massive ones), swirl it on the bronzer then blow it to make sure theres not too much. Sweep it gently across your forehead, down your nose, then make that fish face you used to make as a child, or make a big grin so you can see your cheeks. sweep the bronzer from the puff of the cheek towards the ear. Gradually build it up if you need more. too much in one go will make you look silly.

hoe this helps a bit.

Answer 3

First thing is getting the perfect shade of foundation. Then you don't need to apply it to your entire face---just the areas that need evening out, and it won't look streaky. Take some time at a department store getting samples and don't buy anything till you get into natural light. They always look different once you get to your car mirror! As far as blush---pick a nice easy shade like Nars "orgasm"---it's universally great on everyone and easy to put on.... just gives you a nice healthy glow. Apply with a big brush (not one of those little skimpy ones that comes with the drug-store blush) to the apples of your cheeks. You can find the apples if you smile---it's the part that pudges up. You must have really long/curly lashes if they touch your face when you blink---you're lucky! You could try holding a tissue by your eyebrow and blink over and over until the excess is removed onto the tissue. Good luck!

Answer 4

foundation : make sure you're using a good quality brand not those cheap ones. Make sure your face is clean and oil-free before . .also avoid any foundation with any oil products or lanolin in it. It shouldn't look streaky if you have a good brand and you blend it in well. Use your fingertips as the heat will warm it up and make it easier. Or use a sponge or a foundation brush. for powder, don't use layers and layers it'll look disgusting. For blusher, make sure you use a soft, round blusher brush as it won't leave streaky edge marks behind. Also use the right colour .. avoid red/pink if your face goes red easy (go for bronze/peach). When applying mascara curl your eyelashes first. When you apply the mascara, tilt your head back a bit so you can see your nostrils. Then apply. Wait a few seconds for the formula to dry.

Answer 5

the best bet would be to buy a teen magazine which will tell you all about make up and stuff

sugar and bliss are good for this

also look at this website:
http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/school/0,,,00.html
it is soooo useful! i use the tips on here all the time and people always say how natural my make up looks!


i would also advice investing in some good quality make up, not £1 pound stuff as it would not even do the prettiest person ever any good. for foundation, i have spent so long trying to find the perfect one as i had the same problems as you and for the past year or so i have been using dream matte mousse by maybelline. its not that expensive, around £5 - £7 and it really does give you flawless skin and doesnt looked too caked on.
they also do a dreame mousse blush which is definatly worth a try aswell but it would be pointless telling me whereabouts is best to apply it, as it depends on your face shape.
also to apply mascara well, its perhaps best to curl your eyelashes first which will widen your eyes and make it easier to apply, and also make your eyes look bigger at the end result. you can get eyelash curlers from most beauty stores like boots, superdrug, sephora etc..

hope all this helps, and just remember beauty is from within. make up should only be there as an addition to what you already have, and its a true fact that most (decent) guys prefer women with only a bit of make up on.

Answer 6

If you are really concerned you could always get a friend to come round and help you - or perhaps book yourself a makeup lesson at your local beauty salon as lots offer that service. I used to put on foundation with a damp sponge but now use a brush (larger than eyeshadow size but not blusher size) - got it from Avon and it's great. I then use loose powder on areas that need it. Blusher on apples of cheeks and eyeshadow and eyeliner - then mascara which I must admit I sometimes make a mess with too! Lots of practise should help and don't do it in a hurry. And remember: less is more - don't slap it on!

Answer 7

Start by puting moisturiser on your face b4 u apply foundation it goes on better. Put liquid foundation on with a sponge, then use a brush a bit smaller than a blusher brush to apply loose powder . To put mascara on i gently wipe the end first with babywipes to reduce the look of clumps on your lashes, it always helps to dry them quickly too. Blusher pearls is the best type of blusher to use, just make sure you use a big brush and gently sweep over your cheekbones. Finaly add some lipgloss and your ready to hit the town x

Answer 8

I hate applying makeup because I too am quite hopeless at it, so I just stick to the things I know and keep things simple. When I see something on a friend that I like, I ask them how to do it. I find that reading from a book or something similar is really confusing and that being shown is the best way. Try taking a makeup course, where they show you how to apply all types of makeup and you usually come out of it with some free makeup. My friend did a one week (nights only) makeup course with Mac and she got what she paid for it back in product. But you can also do courses that are like one or two hours long. I found some on www.redballoondays.com.au but I'm sure if you go to your nearest department store makeup counter they will have some suggestions of courses as well. Good luck!

Answer 9

My best reccommendation if you have bad luck at mascara (I do too, it makes my eyes itch) is get a GOOD QUALITY eyelash curler, one by shu uemera or kevyn aucoin. seriously theyre like $25, but you'll never have to buy another one and they work a heck of a lot better than drugstore ones. get really good at using it, and you don't really need mascara. For a really natural look, especially good for day time, use a dark brown eyeliner on the inside top rim of your eye, and on the bottom along the lash line (this time not the inner rim). In terms of foundation, unless you don't have very nice skin, just use concealer on discoloured or blemished parts of your face, and under your eyes. this looks SO much more natural than foundation everywhere. Buy a nice, natural-toned blush and smile, brushing the brush down the apples of your cheeks on diagonal (from the cheekbones to the side and down). Finally, always pat moisturizer on over your makeup, being careful not to smudge or smear it. this looks dewy and natural. hope I helped!

Answer 10

I have three words for you:

Cotton Wool Buds!

haha!! My secret weapon against splodgy mascara!! With regard to foundation, make sure your skin is smooth (exfoliate once or twice a week, and cleanse tone and moisturise religiously!) so your base is easier to blend. I apply it with my fingers then blend troublesome bits with a make-up sponge.