Want to know the best cosmetic tricks adopted by the greatest beauty experts? Look no further. Here are the quintessential – quite simple – makeup tips to make your own.
10 Makeup Artist Tricks
1. ‘Stains’ are the new ‘sticks’ when it comes to lips. Heralding a looser, less-defined movement, a lip stain offers flush colour without the heavy texture or drying residue. Explains Elsa Morgan, L’Oreal Paris Makeup Director; “The lip stain has an extremely edgy but wearable appeal. It can be worn for everyday, either subtly in a flush floral tone or to create sensational impact in a riot of orange, purple and bright pink.” For optimum effect, press colour into the centre of the bottom lip and kiss lips together. Coverage should be imperfect, but if it’s too drying without gloss, dab some clear balm on the bottom lip and go.
2. Keep your look – and cosmetics – fresh, advises Janet Pardo, Senior Vice President, Clinique product development. “Knowing when to throw out products keeps your skin healthy,” she says, adding that overusing makeup everyday can lead to the problematic skin you are so desperately trying to camouflage! “If you keep using old makeup everyday you might be making your skin vulnerable to bacteria that can lead to breakouts and irritation.” Always note the date of purchase and ask at counter about the product lifespan.
3. In the world of Bobbi Brown, pink blush proves perfect for everyone. “A touch of colour makes everything look pretty” she enthuses. The key is to apply it correctly, she notes. Use two shades of blush for the perfect colour; the first being a natural flush that looks like your cheeks would after exercise (dusted on the apples of the cheeks with a brush, blending upwards towards the hairline) and the ‘pop’ of colour swept only onto the highest area of the cheek when you smile. “Layering blush is a good way to help colour last longer,” she notes.
4. Making a beauty statement need not equate to Mardi Gras like makeup, assures Mecca makeup artist, Charlotte Blakeney. For example, bright eyeshadow doesn’t have to hold court all over your moveable lid; instead, you can add just a small amount to the corner of your eyes with a cotton bud, for a subtle, shimmery sparkle. Or if colour is not your bag, simply dab on some clear lip-gloss or lanolin to the eyelids for a sexy shine.
5. Mixing and matching is the new movement in makeup. Elena Afanasew Failla, Benefit Beauty Artist says that fun and fresh cosmetic moments can be as simple as blending a tan or taupe, loose eye powder with a lip gloss for a custom made pat-on lip pigment. Or loose bronzing powder can be mixed with your moisturiser for an instant highlight on the top of the cheekbones and temples. “Think of your makeup as you would your wardrobe,” she suggests. “Mixing things together – as long as the consistency is right and you get no adverse reactions – is a budget-friendly way to revamp it!”
6. “I find the easiest way to store my makeup is to have two kits; one for daily essentials that I always use, and another for favourite ‘extras’ and seasonal colours that I may use on a night out,” says Linda Riddell, Natio Training and Education Manager. “This helps keep the daily essentials kit uncluttered and application fast and efficient.”
7. “It’s really important to pay attention to changes in your skin and adjust your skincare regime as your needs – not wants – change,” advises Elizabeth Arden makeup artist, Stephen Gaskett “Don’t get stuck in a rut of using the same products day in and day out. Refresh your makeup look every season by injecting new shades and textures,” he advises.
8. Thin lips? Don’t shy away from bold fuchsias and hot reds, says Michael Brown. “To counteract a lack of fullness, the best shades are the brightest and shiniest in the box, as they add volume and light reflection, giving more depth to lips.” To apply, outline the lip after lipstick has been applied. “If you do it before, a lot of people undercut their shape and make them smaller!”
9. “A trick I use to “lift ” the outer-corners of the eyes are with a concealer,” Revlon Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman says. ”You do this by dabbing a little concealer on the outer corners of eyes with your index finger, patting it in ever so gently. I personally use this trick every day and it really makes you look better.” Go with a moisturizing concealer as well so your eye area will not dry out, she adds.
10. A perennially perfect tan is a possibility, but even if you have got application down pat, be sure to continue to pay attention to the bits that often go unnoticed, advises Jodi Bibra, spray tan technician and Owner of Tanology ‘A good trick is to apply a light coat of moisturiser on the elbows, knees, tops of feet, ankles, wrists and the top of your hands. This will help form a barrier so the tan will not grab in these areas,” she notes.
