Beauty Tips - Make Up Artist Advice
Moisturizers, Concealers, Primers and Foundations
After working 10 years in the cosmetic industry, I have gleaned some very comprehensive advice from national make up artists. They have shared terrific advice over the years which I hope to pass along to other women interested in enhancing their beauty. Below you will find terrific tips which will give enhance your everyday look and help with common skin and application concerns. You will read very informative advice on moisturizers, concealers and foundations which all women should know.
First, before any make up is applied to the face, you need to start with fresh clean and moisturized skin. Any make up artist will tell you a clean face is a blank canvas in which to create the look you want. The moisturizer you use is as important as the cosmetics you choose.
Moisturizers For Skin Concerns:
Dry Skin
If you have rough or dry skin, consider using a moisturizer which contains natural oils or an anti-wrinkle/anti-aging formula. Dry skin comes with age as you produce less moisture the older you get. Begin by using a light serum which allows the moisturizer to soak in and enhances its effectiveness. Also, if you have dry skin be sure to use a night cream as well. Don't wash your face with bar soap as it will dry you out further.
If you have oily skin which tends to cause havoc on your make up throughout the day, be sure you begin your face cleaning regimen with a good toner. The toner acts as a balancer restoring the PH of your skin and also helps remove oils. Use an oil free moisturizer to avoid clogging your pores or adding unneeded moisture to your face. Try to avoid using acne washes as these tend to dry your skin out more and in return your body will produce additional oils to counterbalance the medicated washes creating a horrible cycle. Drying out the skin causes wrinkles and damage over the long run so it's best to treat problem skin naturally by drinking lots of water, using tea tree oil and washing your face before you go to bed.
If you have normal skin, simply use your moisturizer of choice always with an SPF.
*Tip: 90% of wrinkles are caused by sun damage! Always use a moisturizer containing an SPF of 30 or more.
Primers
Facial primers are the next step, especially if you don't already have youthful, flawless skin. A primer can be applied with your finger or foundation brush. It creates a smooth surface and helps to hide wrinkles. Primers also allow your foundation to be evenly applied without caking or streaks.
The Beauty of Concealer
Concealer is a wonderful and magical tool used by all make up artists. You can use concealer to hide blemishes, hide dark circles under the eyes, cover veins around the nose and highlight cheeks and other areas of the face. When choosing concealer you should always select one shade lighter than your foundation. Here are a few ways to use concealer:
Under Eyes
Regardless if you have dark circles or not, it is always a good idea to apply a bit of concealer under the eyes and on the eye lid. Be very gentle when blending in these areas however as the skin around your eyes does not regenerate the same as the rest of your face. Tugging and unnecessary rubbing will cause damage and wrinkles.
Around Nose
It may sound strange but make up artists will always apply a small amount of concealer around the nose. Usually there are very small spidery veins which can appear reddish and stand out if not covered. Also, this will prevent the foundation from caking around the nose area.
*Trick: Apply concealer down the length of the nose to create the image of a slender nose. This is a photo shoot trick used by make up artists to change the shape of someones nose. If your nose is long and you wish to shorten the appearance, do the opposite and highlight the outside of the bridge leaving the bridge shadowed.
Dab a small amount of concealer on the blemish and blot with a small amount of powder. Always apply the concealer before the foundation.
Foundation Beauty Tips
Foundation
Foundation is a great way to give your face a nice even tone and create a canvas for color to be added. A very important beauty tip is to choose the correct shade for your skin. If you don't know your shade you can narrow it down a few ways.
Cool Tones: To discover if you are a cool tone, check the color of the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins are blue, you are a cool tone. Generally cool toned individuals look good in purples, blues, grays, silvers, reds and dark shades.
Warm Tones: If your veins are green in color on the inside of your wrist you are a warm tone. Colors which work well are: peach, pink, brown, lavender and pastels.
If you have both green and blue veins or you can't tell, you are a neutral tone. You can then select a shade based on tonal range. Brands like L'Oreal Paris' True Match offer a selection in the three different categories. You can also visit your local department store and have a licenced expert match your skin for you. Most brands have a similar spectrum of shades so this will help you narrow it down.
To match your skin tone it is not always beneficial to apply it to the inside of your wrist but generally when you are shopping at a mass retailer, this is your only option. The best way to match your tone is to apply it directly to your jawline. Compare the jaw to your neck.
*Trick: Many people have a darker face than neck simply because it is exposed more directly to the sun. To ensure your foundation is evenly colored you can try blending your shade (face) with a slightly lighter shade to match the neck. Be sure to apply foundation on your neck as well and blend with powder to create an even look.
Also, I cannot stress this enough...ALWAYS use a foundation brush. Having good tools is very important when applying make up but a foundation brush is by far one of the most important of all. A foundation brush allows you to apply the make up creating smooth even strokes. It fills in any areas such as wrinkles or scarring and blends much better than a sponge or your fingers.
Foundation should not be used unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have nice skin and are looking for a modest day look, avoid foundation if you can. It is better to use a mineral powder or something which allows your face to breathe and shine through. Foundations tend to create a masked look if applied heavily. If you have a few problem areas you can simply dab the foundation in those areas only and add some powder rather than creating a facial mask. You can use foundation in the evenings or at times when you need your makeup to be more durable. Foundation should always be blended, any make up artist will give you this piece of beauty advice...blend blend blend! It should never have the appearance of a mask or sit on top of your face.
