Fool Proof makeup tips

Makeup can be very tricky. You do it right, you’ll look fabulous. Mess it up and look like a hag. Contrary to popular belief, makeup is really easy to get right, once the basics are covered.

Some old-school people think that makeup will damage your skin: make more pimples, cast dark shadow on lips, clog pores… you’ve heard them all before! Point is, makeup as a whole have evolved and improved over the last 2 decades. No longer do they clog pores or make your lips turn black. Rather, makeup is seen more of an extension of your own skin. With formulas that feel like second skin, or barely there gives you great wearability and feel the makeup less. Personally, I like to wear makeup that I cant “feel” on my skin. Its gotta blend in so well and feel so light, leaving my face feeling freshly washed. That makeup causes pimples and clogged pores is basically the fault of the wearer.

To prevent pimples or clogged pores, one has to invest in a really effective, good cleansing system. By system, I don’t mean you have to use 10 types of creams and washes to cleanse. Depending on how much makeup you use, you will only need 3 to 4 types of products to leave you really clean and refreshed.

As a rule, you wash your face twice a day only. With a light gel cleanser in the morning and again at night. (I will elaborate more if you need more cleaning!) Followed by a toner and moisturizer. That’s 3 products you need all day. Basically.

My Story
Personally, I have great skin (no pimples, a bit of clogged pores but not too bad). But I love makeup. I have dark circles under my eyes, which I use concealer to cover, followed by light runover of powder foundation. I alternate between blusher and bronzer as my cheek color, a bit making a great deal of difference. I sometimes use eyeshadow, something light to bring out my eyes and use mascara. My lashes are quite sparse so mascara really helps. Then I use a lip gloss or lipstick and I’m done!

For more glam effect, I shadow my eyes more, and instead of blushing all over cheeks, I keep it high on the cheek bone, and use a highlighter to bring it out more (that’s what I saw on TV when someone demo’ed how Liz Hurley likes her blusher). Line my eyes very close to the lashes and give it lots of mascara. For truly glam effect, I love those mascaras that have 2 sides: one for building the lashes, so they look real thick and long, then the color to set it. Instant superstar!

I also love the lipglosses or lipsticks that have great sparkle in them. Like the Dior Addict. Its really wonderful!

I keep my skin great coz I’m a real stickler for clean skin. If I’ve used a lot of makeup (liquid foundation then powdered over) and lots of mascara, I take a bit longer to clean up. I would use a milk cleanser ( I absolutely love Sanden Brook’s milk cleanser) and massage it all over, tissue off then use a gel face wash to wash the rest off. Oh and remove the mascara with a good eye makeup remover like Lancome’s Bi Facil. It’s great. Loreal has a similar one. Just look for one which has both oil and water. If you look at the bottle, it will have 2 layers. Shake it up and soak into cotton pad. Press onto lashes leave for 2 seconds and gently wipe off. Continue until all is gone. Make sure you clean the bottom of your eyes after that.. inevitably in the process of cleaning your upper lashes, the mascara would have smudged the bottom too.

So after that, I wash off and tone and moisturize. Great skin! All in 5 minutes. 3 before my shower, wash while I’m in the shower, and tone and moisturize after.

I will try to give you a few types of users, how to prep the face, to application of makeup and finally to cleansing and nourishing.