MAKE-UP 101: Flawless Face For Beginners

Makeup is intended to enhance your beauty and, in some cases, hide your imperfections.  But when overly done it can make even the prettiest women look, um, "drag(queen)-ish."

case and point: Meagan Good (image from Google Images).

However, with the proper tips and much practice, you can achieve a flawless face that complements your skin tone and features.

1. Choose a primer that's great for smooth application.  L'oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Dull Primer is a good one but I personally use Phillip's Milk of Magnesia or Wet N Wild Shade Adjusting Foundation+Primer.  Primer is important for long-lasting wear, minimal creasing/shine, and minimal transference. Apply this all over your face (it's ok to use your clean fingers), including the eyelids and underneath the eye.

(I mostly use the Intuitive Blend for my lids but it can be used all over the face).

   2.  Choose a concealer!  This may be optional if you don't have anything to conceal.  However, concealer is        perfect for camouflaging dark under-eye circles and other imperfections (i.e. acne scars).  Pick a shade that's 1-2 shades lighter than your actual skin tone. I use Maybelline's Dream Smooth Mousse in 350 Caramel (yes it's a foundation but it works wonderfully as a concealer personally).  Apply this,using a concealer brush (or your fingers), to your dark spots and underneath the eye, making sure you BLEND IT OUT!

 (the smaller brush is for under eye and the larger brush is for the full face).

3.  Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone!  This is important so that your foundation doesn't look like a mask on your face (or if too light, you could look like Casper).  If you're using drugstore makeup, most times there are swatches so that you can test the makeup but if you're not sure, you can always go to a professional and get a color-matching.  I use Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse in Cocoa 3 (it goes on phenomenally with your fingers).  Apply the foundation all over your face using a face brush (i.e. a stippling brush) or your fingers (make sure that they are CLEAN). Smooth out for a more natural look (blending is always key!!). [OPTIONAL: Apply some of the foundation to your neck area as well so that your face and neck are the same shade.  I choose to skip this step because my neck and face are the same color so my makeup blends well].

4.  Choose a matching skin powder to set your foundation.  This is essential for minimal transference of make-up as well as providing a matte finish.  I use Milani Even-tone Powder Foundation in Creamy Cocoa.  Using a face brush, apply it evenly all over your face.

(I use the face brush for the powder foundation.  I apply the Dream Smoothe Mousse with my fingers).

       5.  Once you've completed these steps, you should pretty much have a FLAWLESS FACE!!  Make sure you BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!!!  This is essential in assuring that your makeup has a natural look!  For a little more definition, you can apply bronzer and/or blush.



My Flawless Face