"What Time Of Day Is It?"
(Common make up mishaps and how to fix them)
First of all…here’s a concept that needs to become part of your daily mantra. “Less is More”…novel right? Well in reality it’s the best advice and can always be applied to more than makeup. But for the purposes of this article, think of it in these terms. It’s always easy to add more because you applied too lightly, it’s not always so easy to fix your snafu because you added too much.
If make up makes you leery just by thinking about it, then begin with neutral shades, which will hide any mistakes easier than bold ones. Champaignes and neutral browns work for pretty much any skin tone and almost scream mistake free. Use a sponge applicator (brushes are for people with more experience and control) to minimize powder spilling onto your cheeks, which can happen with brushes. Use firm strokes from the lash line to the crease and use any residual shadow that’s left on the applicator to apply lightly on the upper brow area. (This helps to make the shadow look natural rather than stark lines).
What are some great colors or lines? If you’re feeling adventurous, venture over to Sephora and check out Urban Decay. They carry a wide array of neutral tones with just a little sparkle to perk up those eyes. By the way, neutral tones are also great because they transcend very well from the office to the lounge without too much effort.
But you’re not done yet. Eye shadow with no liner is like a dinner that consists solely of meat. It shouldn’t be done and likewise, is not enjoyable to eat, or see in this case. If nothing else, you do need some kind of liner to make your eyes “pop”. And here is where most people go wrong. Liner should be used to accent, not define the shape of your eyes. If you consider yourself to be a novice…don’t create anything. Follow the natural shape of your eyelid. Not sure which liner to use? Buy a pencil liner that will allow for more control while you increase your lining skills. Also, make sure that you buy one that glides on the skin rather than one that drags. A good one comes from the company Two Faced (also available at Sephora). It glides on super smooth and offers true to life colors.
If you feel that you’ve mastered the basics of eye applications, branch out into the world of bronzers and blushes. The key to this style of make up is to enhance skin tone, again not to create it. If you think that a bronzer will make your skin two tones tanner than it was before…beware. Your face will be tanned a beautiful golden tone, and the rest of you will be pale. Likewise, blush shouldn’t look like you’ve been abused.
The trick to blush and bronzer is to find one that actually contains tones that can be found in your own skin tone. Yes, it can be hard with blush if you’re a darker skin tone, but Nars makes an amazing range of blushes (try Orgasm or Lovejoy) that actually makes every skin tone look amazing. As for bronzer, don’t go any darker than one shade of your actual skin tone. Resist the urge to buy super dark because more than likely, you’ll brush that bronzer twice around your face. So, imagine the results if you buy too dark.
And as for the lips, keep this rule in mind, if your eyes are heavily made up, then lips are very minimal, and the reverse is also true. You can always have your lips be minimal, even if the eyes aren’t heavily played up, but NEVER let your lips look like a beacon of red to match your heavily mod blacked out eyes…it’s an absolute no no, and that makes the difference between looking chic and trashy.
Those that consider themselves masters of the make up world know the wonders that loose powder make up can offer. Rather than looking at it as a mess getting ready to happen, we see blending options and precision control. Liquid eyeliner offers an unmoving line that can stay with you during the day. And bold colors are considered shades that can always be blended down to the right shade. But beyond all these other rules, the key is, don’t overdo! Smokey high vibrance eyes are great…for the club, not the office.
Don’t be afraid to experiment though! Too many women force themselves into a beauty rut just because they’re afraid of making a mistake. If you do, so what! Wipe it off and start over with the knowledge that you gained from your mistake.
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