10 Tips for Better Makeup

  1. Use waterproof mascara.  It won’t smear or run beneath your eyes by the end of the day like most regular, non waterproof mascara will.I prefer NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara (Retail $9.50), it’s a nylon base, so be aware of this just in case you have allergies.
  2. Red Lipstick with a blue undertone will make your teeth appear whiter.  Blue counteracts yellow and will give the illusion of brighter, whiter teeth.There are of course some provisos on this, if you have very warm toned skin, a blue toned red is going to look ‘off’.  So, here’s what you want to do:  Use a warm tone red on the outer part of your lips, this will blend and compliment your skin tone, then on the inner part of your lips nearest to your teeth, use a cool toned red.  This is going to make your teeth look whiter.
  3. Set your foundation with powder.  Powder over your foundation will help it stay all day.  It will absorb the natural oils and moisture in your skin prolonging the wear of your makeup.Now, don’t just fluff it on, set it by pressing it gently into your skin.  Make sure that your foundation is blended well into your skin, as too much moisture will make the powder look thick and cakey.
  4. Light before dark.  Apply your light shadows first, then the dark, as this will keep the light from being muddy.
  5. Lift your Brow.  When applying your eye liner, lift up your eyebrow to get a flat line.  Doing so will tighten up the skin on your lid for smooth application without any “skips”.
  6. Clean your brushes.  Clean brushes will apply your makeup more quickly and cleanlyA clean brushwill also keep your colors bright and true.  So wash your personal brushes at least twice a month. (Also, ew!  Who wants dirty brushes?  All those ugly bacteria running around…..)
  7. Don’t Powder your eyelids.  Leaving your eyelids moist from your liquid foundation or cream concealer will make your eye shadows wear longer.  The moisture will “grab” the shadow and make it stay.
  8. Use blush LIGHTLY.  Blush adds healthy color to a face, giving the impression of youth, life and health, but it is NOT a contour!  It should be applied lightly onto the apples of your cheeks (Where the actual cheek bone is) and not beneath the cheek bone where your contour goes.
  9. Blend.  Blend, blend, blend your eye shadows.  Un-blended shadows can leave hard lines and make your eye shadow appear unfinished.Blending your colors leaves a beautiful gradation which gives a finished, polished look.
  10. Do your eyebrows.  Even if you have naturally dark brows, adding a little bit of powder or pencil to them will help define and finish off your face.Choose a shade 1-2 shades lighter than your head hair and use lightly just to add conformity to your brows.
Method Makeup Academy, Sacramento’s Makeup School