Makeup mistakes

I read the tips closely and re-read them to realize that it is so simple to make mistakes when we are putting on makeup! Thank God for CLEO (Singapore) for addressing these makeup misconceptions which many of us would possibly are making similar mistakes. Once again, these great tips are from CLEO (Singapore) April 2008 issue. 🙂

Mistake #1: Foundation should be darker for evening

This is totally wrong. Bear in mind the core rule of choosing a foundation and not be misled by the time of the day. You should always try to match foundation to your skin tone or you will end up with a different-looking skin color from your face to neck.

Mistake #2: Makeup bases are gimmicks

Well, apparently, all makeup artists sweat by a pre-makeup base before applying foundation. A makeup base brightens up lacklustre skin and is great for those who prefer a more natural look. If you have oily skin, remember to dust off with some loose powder.

There are also different type of makeup which could help to reduce redness, reduce dark eye circles, provide radiance etc. Most importantly, choose one with UV protection.

Mistake #3: Makeup should emphasize only one feature

Sometimes you just cannot have the best of both worlds – you have pretty eyes and sexy lips and you wish to show them off. Sorry, too bad, you can only choose either one.

Wrong! Generally, it is true but in the evening, you can go heavier on more than one feature. E.g. a subtle smokey eye could look great with a red liptick.

Now, you must be feeling more liberated – enhance and show the two features that you love! 🙂

Makeup is an art – learn the right strokes

Makeup is very much an art to me. It needs inspirations, skills and talents. I am lacking a bit of everything. 

To make things a little more confusing, makeup talks about different strokes for the different type of products like cream-based, powder-based etc.

Here are some great guidelines from SimplyHer magazine – now you can also stroke like how the pro does it!

(Source: MAC) 

 

Stroke #1: Eyebrows – use soft, feathery strokes and work from the inner brows outwards, drawing in the arch and filling in brows. Use your fingers or eyebrow brush to smoothen the hard edges of the pencil or powder.  Go easy on the inner brows – never apply too much!

Stroke #2: Eyeshadow – using a brush, dad on colour in quick, light strokes, starting from the inner eye corners. To blend the powder across the eye, use long strokes.

Stroke #3: Mascara – for spiral brushes, apply in zig-zag manner (left-to-right motion). For comb-like wands, use an in-to-out brush stroke (start combing from the roots).

Stroke #4: Blusher – for powder blush, use circular strokes on the apples of cheeks, then move towards the ear with short strokes. Aim for a tear-drop shape that tapers off at the ear. For cream blush, dab with fingers in a teardrop shape.

Stroke #5: Concealer – dab onto problem spots, then feather out at the sides with quick, short strokes.

Stroke #6: Foundation – using a sponge, pat outwards towards the hairline. This keeps facial hair flat and helps makeup blend better. Start with the nose area, but don’t run the sponge across your cheeks as this will cause your foundation to streak.

Stroke #7: Lipstick – apply in long strokes, one curve at a time, starting at the centre of the upper lip. Or use a brush for a more precise application and to save on your lipstick.

Stroke #8: Lip liner – draw in the tricky cupid’s bow with short strokes, slowly building up into a line that curves along your natural lip shape.