Make up can help a woman feel polished and put together. It can make the difference between feeling “naked” and feeling like you are ready to face the world. Applying make up is as easy as brushing your teeth. If you are interested in learning more about applying make up in a simple, easy manner…this article is for you.
1. Applying Face Make Up
- Foundation: Foundation is the initial stage in make up application. A good foundation can hide imperfections, cover up blemishes, provide a base for the rest of your make up, and even out the skin’s tone and texture. Apply a small dot of foundation to the nose cheeks, chin, and forehead. Blend each area gently into the other, carefully blending around the jaw line and hair line for a seamless look.
- Rouge: (skip this step if you have oily skin as cream rouge will not stay in place) Cream rouge will help to define the shape and contours of your face. It also keeps your blusher in place for a longer period. Apply rouge lightly to the hollow of the cheek, blending upward and outward toward the ear. If the color of the rouge is too intense, gently wipe off the excess amount.
- Blush: Powder blush gives your face a warmer, deeper look and a radiant glow. Blush is usually packaged with two shades together. You can use the lighter shade on the upper portion of your cheek bone and the darker shade on the lower portion. Just be sure that the two shades are compatible and blended together well. Apply blush by dipping your blush brush in the product and shaking off the excess. Use light strokes to apply the product to the cheekbone working from the apple of the cheek, upward and outward toward the ear. Leave a distance of at least two finger widths between the outer edge of the nostril and the beginning of the blush on the cheek.
- Translucent Powder: Translucent powder adds the finishing touch to your face make up. It helps to blend your rouge and blush with your natural skin tone, evens out the skin tone, and it provides an overall matte finish for your face. You can apply face powder with a blush brush or a powder puff, just be sure to shake off the excess. Lightly apply the product to the face and neck using downward strokes (the same direction as hair growth). Be sure to blend face powder evenly around the neck, hair line, and on the eyes.
2. Applying Eye Make Up
- Eyebrow Pencil: Eyebrow pencil helps to define the eyebrows and add fullness to sparse areas. Apply eyebrow pencil with light, feathering strokes, following the natural curves and contours of your brow. Do not draw an eyebrow line or color in your eyebrows with the pencil. You should use just a few fine strokes and be sure the blend them in well with an eyebrow brush.
- Eye Shadow: There areas many different ways to apply eye shadow as there are women who love to wear it. You can use one two or three colors in varying shades and tones. Just be sure that the colors you use complement each other and your eyes. A general rule of thumb is to use lighter shades on the upper portion of the lid: closest to the brow line. Save the darker shades for the bottom portion of the lid, below the crease of the eyelid.
- Eye Liner: Like eye shadow, eye liner comes in many shades and styles. However, unless you are working towards a very specific look, it is best to keep your eye liner neutral: stick with brown or black. Apply eye liner on the lower lid, the upper lid or both. Start at the inner corner of the lid (but don’t put liner to close to the actual corner of the eye) and work outward. Blend eye liner with a Q-tip to prevent the appearance of a harsh line.
- Mascara: Mascara adds the final touch to your eyes. It can add color, thickness, and length to your eyelashes. Use your mascara brush to apply the product to both your top and bottom lashes, beginning at the roots and working your way to the tips of the lashes.
3. Applying Lip Color
- Lip Liner: Apply lip liner by following the natural contours of the lip. Be careful not to “draw” a line that does not match the line of your lips. Blend lip liner with a Q-tip.
- Lip Color: use a lip brush to apply lip color for best results. Begin at the outer corners of the mouth and work inward, ending at the center. Follow this pattern for both the upper and lower lips. Make sure you open your mouth and apply lip color to the corners of your lips to achieve the most natural look.
