These are the kinds of beginner tips that I wish I had when I first started experimenting with makeup. Typically, we think that a makeup beginner is someone in their early teens, but these tips and techniques are things to think about at any age. Hopefully they will make your makeup routine a little easier. When you sit down to do your makeup it should be fun and fuss-free; this is time that you are giving to yourself for a little extra pampering!
1. Using a foundation buffer brush.
These are the best to use with liquid foundations. The Target Up and Up Complexion Brush is affordable and the brush fibers are extremely soft. This brush will really help the foundation buff into the skin evenly and flawlessly. You can even use this with concealer. Simply use a dabbing motion to blend the concealer into the skin.
2. Use some type of eye shadow primer.
You can buy all the shadows in the world, clean out the entire drugstore, but they are never going to look as nice on your lids or last as long if you do not put a primer on first. Milani’s The Eye Shadow Primer is a great affordable option, comparable to Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion. You want to apply this all over the lid, into the crease and up to the brow bone. This product is slightly tacky, but not so thick that it will become cakey on the lids. It is going to make shadows pop, look more pigmented and last longer.
3. Seek out smaller eyeshadow brushes.
If you are struggling with eye shadow application, opt for smaller brushes so you have more control. Once I started doing this my makeup world completely changed. Here are four essentials:
- The makeup sponge tip applicator. These come in most drugstore eye shadow trios and quads. Do not throw it out! It will pack on shadows just as good, or even better than most shadow brushes.
- A smaller flat brush is essential to have especially for darker eye shadow shades. For anything that you want to place beyond your lid space, a smaller shadow brush is the best tool to do so. Sonia Kashuk has a good one for precise placement. Pat the shadows into the crease or into the outer V of the lid with control and take your time.
- A smaller sized crease brush. A great option is from Real Techniques. This can easily wedge into your crease to begin the blending process.
- After all this, go in with a clean, larger blending eye shadow brush to blend out any harsh lines on the edges of your eye look. My favorite one that I've had for years is from Eco Tools. Buff back and forth and this will give the most finished professional look to your make-up.
4. The false lash applicator.
When starting out with false lashes, it can be a tricky process. Here is the lifesaver: a false lash applicator. You can often find these in false lash kits from the drugstore. Use them! When applying lashes with your hands, the lash glue gets all over your hands and the falsies will start to stick to your fingers and come right off your lash line. This tool is great if you have shaky hands because you can squeeze the product as much as you want to ensure stability. To use the false lash applicator, clamp the false lash in the middle of the band. First, place the center of the band on your lash line and then use the other end of the tool to place down the ends of the band.
5. Pre-treat your lips.
When you sit down to do your makeup, apply a lip balm in addition to your everyday facial moisturizer. This will prep and pre-soften your lips for whatever lip product you end up putting on. When it comes time for lips and you're thinking, “Hey this balm is going to mess up my matte lipstick shade!” just blot the balm away with a tissue and then apply your lip product. You will still benefit from the moisture. Your lips will appear plumper, and they will feel more comfortable under a dry finish product. These trendy matte lipsticks will not look good on dry, cracked lips. Kylie Jenner would back me up on this.
