When makeup is expertly applied, it gives your face a flawless, smooth looking base and an effortless glow. Whilst anyone is capable of applying makeup, professional makeup artistry calls for precision, a range of shades and creativity. It’s easy to make mistakes, but to help you apply makeup like a professional we spoke to skin specialist, Amanda Von Hagen from Glo Skin Beauty, who gives her 7 top tips on how to improve your makeup application skills.
1) Invest in your makeup tools
Investing in tools can be an afterthought when shopping for makeup, but not only does it aid precision when attempting that daring eye look, it also creates a more even blend for the perfect base. Think of it like painting on a canvas- you will only be able to create an abstract painting using your fingers, whereas painting with brushes will add structure and finesse any detail. Instead, view your face like a blank canvas which you are using tools on to improve the accuracy of your makeup application. Make sure to invest in high quality brushes that will last a long time, as opposed to brushes that shed hair and irritate the skin.
2) Conceal correctly under the eyes
Concealer is our best friend for the tired days when our skin is looking dull. Most people apply concealer in a half moon shape under the eyes and blend, but what if you knew a way to make your face appear lifted and awake, whilst concealing the bags under eyes? To conceal like a professional, apply the product in an upside-down triangle under the eye. This is known as ‘the triangle of light’ due to its ability to brighten under the eye and lift the cheek area. Giving you a fuller, more youthful look, this trick is perfect for also reducing the appearance of fine lines and sagging, tired skin.
3) Mix primer with your foundation for longer lasting makeup
Professional makeup does not only look good, but it lasts all day too. Primer creates a barrier between the skin and the makeup, whilst helping your makeup stay in place. By mixing your primer into your foundation, it creates a cream that blends into the skin easier. This will avoid cakey looking makeup, helping create dewier skin. Depending on the type of primer, you can get numerous skin benefits such as colour correction, anti-ageing and moisturized skin.
4) Make fake brow hairs look real
Nothing looks worse than harshly drawn brows. The goal is to have realistic hair strokes in the brow shape and style you want. The most common mistake people made with brows is choosing a colour that’s too dark. Pick a brow colour that is two shades lighter than your natural hair colour, and then use small brush or pencil strokes to create realistic brow hairs. Be sure to finish off by brushing through your brows with a spoolie to buff out any harsh lines.
5) Scrub your lips for a smooth base
A perfectly applied lipstick can make a look come together. Whilst most makeup lovers apply lipstick straight from the bullet, dead skin can make your lips look rough and uneven. To combat this, use a lip scrub to gently exfoliate and ensure the smoothest application possible. Whilst there are a number of great lip scrubs on the market, you can simply DIY your own too by mixing one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar.
6) Perfect your face shape with contour and highlight
Contour and highlight are amazing makeup products to emphasize your favorite features. With face contouring, you can create the illusion of lifted cheekbones, a chiseled nose, a smaller forehead and a defined jawline. Whilst you can contour and highlight to completely change what your face looks like; it is mainly used to add structure to your face and accentuate your natural features. If you are new to contouring, use the popular ‘3’ method where you apply contour in a 3 shape down the side of your face. Start along the sides of your forehead, moving down to the hollows of your cheek and then under your jawline. Be sure to start with a little product and build, rather than over- do it.
7) Know your eye shape to help you define your eyes.
As we age, our eye shape can change as the skin loosens and becomes drier. So, understanding your eye shape and how makeup can help to define your eyes is paramount for highlighting the best bits. For example, those with hooded eyes can use eyeshadow to outline a crease, those with smaller eyes can use a neutral shade on the water line to make their eyes appear bigger, whilst those with wide set eyes can use liner application to create the illusion of closer eyes. Do some research to determine what eye shape you have, and what works best!
