Articles by Topic: Makeup

Now that you've mastered the basics of foundation application, have are some insider tips from professional makeup artists to bring your makeup skills into the next level.

On top of worrying about colour and texture, you need to make sure that your foundation tool is right for you. Different tools give a different effect to foundation.

Before applying foundation, always prep skin with moisturizer, otherwise the foundation will look blotchy and cracked. If your skin is oily, use astringent to clean off dirt and oil, then moisturize and follow with foundation.

Removing makeup is just as important as putting it on, however, it’s incredibly surprising that many woman seem to overlook this process, especially after a long day. Many ladies use waterproof makeup products and it is essential to use good, gentle removers to protect delicate areas and prevent infections.

If your body's skin is as thick as one hundred sheets of paper, then your face is the thickness of ten sheets of paper and your eye area is like one sheet of pape — so treat them accordingly. If you're seeing a dermatologist, make sure to ask about your cleansing routine as they may require these steps to be in a different order. Remove eye and lip makeup first, and then wash your face. Don't forget to wash your hands before touching your face.

When it comes to your tools, splurge! Good quality brushes should last you ten years. The right brushes can make all the difference in makeup application. You wouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in a nail because it wouldn't work. The same idea goes for makeup. You need the proper tools to create the look you want.

Some woman collect cashmere sweaters, Prada handbags, vintage pumps. Others collect makeup. Some less kind, might call it an obsession. But at least makeup is a small investment compared to cashmere or even a good pair of shoes. Each chubby new pencil or glistening pot of gloss holds sweet promise. As most woman knows, makeup is not a practical matter. Makeup is all about intangibles, the little tube of magic wand full of tantalizing possibilities.

As a general guideline, keep the cheeks minimal for a more natural look, so that the focus will be on other areas like the lips or eyes. When applying blush, you should try to replicate your cheeks' color when slightly flushed. Many prefer pale shimmery pinks and apricots as well as corals and berries for very dark skin.

The popular way to wear blush in the '80s was in very strong, bright colors. That style has definitely changed. When it comes to blush, less is more. Your choice may be based on the look you are trying to achieve or even what kind of weather conditions you are dealing with. Here are some guidelines to the different types of blush.

Contouring can be a very scary thought for most women because the normal perception is that contouring involves drawing dark lines at the sides of the nose or harsh cheekbone lines. Contouring actually eliminates the white-face look that so many Asian women do. Makeup artist contour almost every face that they see because most women have different color skin tone on their faces than they do their chest or arms.

It has been embedded in some Asian cultures that lighter skin is more regal and is placed in high regard. I find beauty in all skin tones and disagree with this completely. However, I've seen too many pink-faced Asians, trying to be lighter than their natural tone, to ignore this practice. Another time you may need to lighten skin is if you've ignored sunscreen and your face is now too many shades darker than your body.

Although this completely disregards the cultural desire for lighter skin, I love creating beautiful golden skin. Especially when you live in warmer areas or like outdoor activities. Many times using sunscreen can cause your face to be several shades lighter than your body. In such cases use this as your guide to darken your face while still looking natural.