Less time and money, more glam – these smart makeup tips will fix the most common problems, like smudging, caking or fading, and keep your makeup flawless.
Cleanse first. If you want your makeup to look better and last longer, make sure you apply it right after washing and moisturising your face. While your skin is plumped, refreshed and hydrated, it’s a perfect canvas for makeup. Whereas if you wait a while and try to pick up where you left off later, you’re more likely to find your makeup looking patchy, flaky and overall yucky.
Do your eye makeup before applying foundation. It seems logical to start big – with foundation. But if you plan on applying eyeshadow today and want to save time, start with the eye makeup. That way, if some of it ends up on your cheekbones, you’ll quickly wipe it off and/or cover it with foundation. Whereas when your foundation is already in place, you’ll have to re-do the entire thing.
Apply mascara according to your eye shape. You heard us right! Automatically going for the good ol’ ‘the more – the better’ application technique can actually do more damage than good. To enhance the natural beauty of your eyes, take clues from their shape. Round eyes, for example, will benefit from a short, ball-shaped mascara brush and close attention to the outer corner of your lash line – that helps to visually create a sexy cat-like appearance. Wide set eyes? Use a large wand and coat the inner corner of the eyes with one extra layer. Hooded eyes call for an emphasis in the centre to create that much needed height.
Powder your lashes. Want thicker, fuller lashes? Lightly apply a layer of translucent powder on top of the first coat of mascara and cover it with another mascara layer.
Use a spoon for a smudge-free mascara application. Mascara is normally the last step of the makeup routine. And nothing is as annoying as accidentally smudging it all over the eyelid when everything looked so perfect just a second ago! Next time, hold a spoon so it’s ‘hugging’ your eyelid – that way, the residue will coat the back of the spoon and not your skin.
Apply white liner to the rim of your eye. We all know about the magic of a black eyeliner – a thin line on your eyelid and you look sexier than ever. But did you know that applying white eyeliner (or a nude colour a few shades lighter than your skin) to your bottom inner rim will open up your eyes and make them look bigger? You’re welcome.
And under your eyebrows. Basically, a white liner is the new superhero in the makeup world. A thin line under your eyebrows will highlight and accentuate the beautiful arch you’ve got going on. A lighter nude shade will do the trick as well.
And once more… Seriously, white eyeliner is, like, the best investment ever! Want to make your delicate, lesser pigmented eyeshadow pop? Blend a white eyeliner over the entire eyelid and apply the eyeshadow on top – it will intensify the colour significantly.
Cover dark circles with an orange-coloured lipstick. Rough night? A touch of matte or satiny orange lipstick under your eyes goes a long way towards neutralising those dark circles. Apply concealer on top and you’re good to go! Insane as it sounds, it works.
Highlight your Cupid’s bow. Don’t stop after dabbing your cheekbones and brow arch with a highlighter. Apply some to your Cupid’s bow as well – it will make your lips look fuller.
And define it with an X. The latest makeup trends might be all about colouring in the Cupid’s bow to make your upper lip appear fuller but if you prefer the classic enhanced gap, draw and X with a lip liner in the middle of your upper lip and colour in the bottom three sections with said liner or your lipstick. The upper section forms a sharp and perfect Cupid’s bow!
Coat lipstick with a lip balm. Sick of getting your lipstick smudged or faded? Wait 10 minutes after applying it in the morning, gently dab it with a cotton round or a tissue and apply a lip balm on top. A look that will last!
Use your thumb to get rid of excessive lipstick. Oh, the horror of lipstick-stained teeth! To keep your lipstick off your teeth, pucker your lips and put your thumb in between, then pull it out. That way, the excessive lipstick on the inside of your lips will end up on your thumb instead of your teeth.
