Okay, so I know I haven't posted Make-Up Tip Mondays in like, two weeks, and I just got a sweet email from a friend of mine this morning asking me if I was stopping it. The answer is no. Absolutely not. I was just really busy two weeks ago, and to be quite honest, just forgot this week, (Sorry about that)!
So, because I love you all so much, and I guess you guys actually do like Make-Up Tip Mondays, I am giving you a middle of the week makeup Make-Up Tip... Two Tips actually... Just because I feel so bad for neglecting it.
So, to start things off, if you are like me, when you go to the make up counter, or the drug store, (where ever you find your face fancies) you can feel a little overloaded with all the possibilities of things to try and things to add to the growing collection in your make up case.
One of the BIGGEST things that overwhelms me, is BLUSH. Oh man! Just thinking about all the different colors and all the different options: Cream, liquid, powder, mineral, shimmer, matte... the list goes on and on. Can I let you in on a little secret? My personal preference in MOST situations is simply this: Bright pink, in a matte powder.
Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I say this, but I have yet to find a single woman out there who doesn't look phenomenal in a bright pink, matte powder blush. Trust me, a little goes a VERY long way, so it's nice to your wallet too.
The best color I have ever EVER found is Lancome's Cosmopolitan Pink... but sadly, I'm not entirely sure they still carry that color. It looked good on EVERYONE. I'm talking, pale girls, dark skinned girls, latina girls, asian girls. You name it, I tried it on them, and they loved it. 8 times out of 10, they bought it too.
Now, it depends on the look you are going for, but I would say that for everyday looks it is the best.
If you want to look sunkissed, an all over powder bronzer is awesome, and then a peach colored cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. If you don't know where the apples of your cheeks are, look in the mirror and smile, and you'll know exactly where to put it. (One thing... a lot of people do the fish face when putting on their blush, it's honestly not necessary, and I think smiling is much easier personally. Also, just a side note, I personally believe that the more you smile while putting on your make up, the prettier you feel, and the more self confidence you gain... just my own opinion... Try it! I promise you'll be a convert! Don't we all as women need a little more self confidence? Can you just imagine a world where women felt GOOD about themselves? Now, smile, and tell your friends to do it too!).
Oh, and about the bronzer, I'll address that as we get a little closer to summer time.
To apply powder blush, I think the BEST brushes are flat head brushes, but they seem to be in short supply these days. Here is an example of a brush that will do:
What I do is this, I get a little bit on the side, and then put it on in circles, starting in the front and moving to the back. Start with a little, and add as you go. It's ALWAYS EASIER TO ADD THAN IT IS TO TAKE OFF.
*****UPDATE ON THE BRUSH SITUATION!!***** I just went to Target today and SONIA KASHUK makes a flat head blush brush... It's brush number 4.
It's synthetic, so not as nice as mink, but the price tag is much nicer... $14.99!!! Awesome, or what? Ready for more good news? You can apply cream blush with it. Nice, huh? Okay, back to the Make up tips... :)
If you are using a cream blush, use the pads of your middle and ring fingers (they have a lighter touch) and getting just a small amount, dab it on your cheeks. Once it's on, then go back over with clean fingers and blend it in. Again, try to stick to the cheekbone area. (Though, if you have a rounder face, you can apply blush just below the cheekbones for a slimming effect... not too much though!)
Okay, now on to the next topic... LIPS.
I like lip liner. Not everyone does. I tend to use a lip liner that is very VERY natural, but just a shade darker than my own lip color. I use pencil almost exclusively (the one's you sharpen). No real reason there... just usually personal preference.
I start with the top lip, right in the cupids bow, by making a little V.
Then I take the pencil and put it at a 45 degree angle so that I get a slightly thicker line that blends better.
I use small strokes and just go right along the lip line. Because I have a thinner upper lip, I make a thicker line with the liner along the outer corners of my upper lip. If you divide your upper lip in to three segments, only the middle third doesn't have the thicker line... does that make sense?
Then, on the bottom lip, I line it along the natural lip line as well, and if you have a thinner lower lip, you can do the same trick I just mentioned above on the lower lip. This creates dimension, and causes an effect that "plumps" your lips.
Because I'm a bit of a natural girl when it comes to lips, (again, personal preference) this is the point where I whip out the lip gloss.
If you like to use lipstick, try applying it with a brush. It's always nice to change things up. :) If you use lipstick, just go along the line you just created, and fill your lips in. I like to use a brush because there is typically less feathering and clean up after I apply it.
Now, on to the lipgloss. Yes, I ALWAYS use lip gloss on top of my lipstick because it adds dimension. I'm all about dimension when it comes to lips. That's how I make them stand out without using super bold colors.
You can use this trick for plain lips or lipsticked lips. Here goes:
Put the lip gloss on the pad of your middle finger, or your ring finger. Put enough on there so that you can dab it on.
Now, take your finger, and try to stick to just the middle third (remember what I said above) of your top and bottom lips. If you get too much toward the outer corners it can sometimes end up where you don't want it and make you look like a sticky mess.
Now, sticking to the middle third of the top and bottom lips, dab it... don't smear it... on. Don't rub it in, just dab it on... this is why you need to play with the amount you put on your finger beforehand, because too much will make a mess, and too little will be just that... too little.
For a fuller lip, dab the lip gloss just outside the lip line you made with the liner... not too far outside it, but it will create a fuller look to your lips.
I don't know if you have noticed when you pick out lipsticks or glosses in the store before trying them on, but I know for me, my skin changes the color of lipsticks and glosses. Mine turns EVERYTHING really pink. So, I tend to use lipsticks that have a blue undertone, (for example RED lipsticks are amazing, but I go for red lipsticks that have blue undertones, or COOL undertones versus REDS that have WARM undertones or yellow undertones) and I like glosses that have a warmer undertone... I use a lot of peachy glosses with shimmer... (I'm going to get sidetracked for a minute and explain this... my personal choice is cream lipsticks and shimmery glosses... just my opinion... but try it and see if you like it-I know a lot of women can NOT be talked out of their metallic and shimmery lipsticks... just TRY it-Make up is removable!).
Anyway, the reason I go with cool undertoned lipsticks and warm undertoned glosses is because they kind of cancel each other out and I am left with a more neutral, flattering outcome once it's all applied.
Well, I know I was long winded on this one, but I am going to see about possibly adding pictures or video tutorials in future Make-up tip Mondays... I have to figure it out though... Until then, if you have any questions, just leave a comment and let me know!
I hope this was helpful.
With love,
Suz
