Bonjour, Mes Amis!
Today I came across an interesting article from Oprah’s website that got me to do a little digging. After all the effort and care we put into our daily skin care routines to keep us looking and feeling young, fresh, and healthy, it’s alarmingly easy to pile the years back on with misguided make-up techniques! So, with some tips and pointers from Oprah, MORE Magazine, and Lisa Eldridge (international make-up artist extraordinaire!) , here are a few simple tips to help you put your best face forward!
1. Skin: Less is More
First off, your foundation. Powder has gained a bad reputation for emphasizing wrinkles in dry or aging skin. However, reaching for that thick, creamy foundation is going to have the same effect, with the added consequence of a ‘cakey’ finish. The trick with foundation is to focus on finding a sheer, lightweight formula that will brighten and even your skin tone, rather than worrying about cream or powder to cover-up wrinkles with. A high-quality powder foundation, like Colorescience, can be applied lightly and evenly (easiest to do with a brush or sponge!) to provide a smooth color and smooth texture. If you’re fond of a creamier texture, try their tinted primers or sheer mineral creme foundations instead!
Also, while we’re discussing the texture of face products, it’s important to know that your concealer can highlight wrinkles just like foundation. So, rather than an all-over application, remember to only lighten what appears to be dark! For example, rather than applying a concealer under the entire length of your eye and into the wrinkles on the outer corner, only lighten the inner-half of your under-eyes for that brightening effect. And to be sure you’re not using too much concealer even on the areas that need it, make sure to apply last, not first – think of overall coverage as a first defense and concealer as a last resort.
The keys to using foundation and concealer correctly are to apply them lightly, and only where you need it!
2. Eyes: Define, don’t Drown
The key to eyeliner, first and foremost, is application technique! How many of you, like me, have been tugging at the outside corners of our eyes to pull the skin tight to try to get a straight line? It doesn’t really work out very often, does it? The best way to apply eyeliner is to angle your chin up, then look down into the mirror, so that your lids are partly closed (but you can still see!), and then apply to the upper lid. A liquid liner will give you a sharp, defined line, while a pencil will give you a softer, more blendable one.
Now, eyeshadow. I know sticking to the ‘tried and true’ colors you may be used to (brown and bone shades) is tempting, but both are made with pigments (yellow, red, white) that actually emphasize discoloration and make your eyes look tired. Instead, try taupes, sage, and jewel colors; these will brighten your eyes and add dimension to your look. Also, a cream powder, like a cream foundation, can actually cake into fine lines and make your eyes look older; stick with a powder, but remember to apply lightly!
Mascara is the easy part. First, make sure that you apply it evenly, but not in excess; too much mascara can weigh your lashes down and downplay their curves. Mascara is the best way to give your eyes that alert and captivating finishing touch!
3. Eyebrows: Au Naturel
Here is one of the only times where More is More, and Less can be scary! The days of super-thinned out and dramatically arched eyebrows have come to a close, and the natural look is back. Thin eyebrows actually make you look older, as our eyebrows naturally thin as we age, so a fuller brow can take off a few years! Not sure what shape or size is right for you? Come see Patricia for a Brow Design appointment, and figure out the perfect shape to frame your eyes!
4. Cheeks: Beautiful Blush
That bit of blush on the cheeks can be an easy step to skip in the morning, but a rosy flush on the apples of your cheeks actually gives you a youthful glow! The easiest mistakes to make here are color selection and application. You want to make sure that the color is sheer enough so that it looks like the blush is the natural flush of your skin tone, not a hot pink splash! When applying your blush, do NOT just use a line/streak motion! Start on your cheekbone (just above the fullest part of your cheek), then lightly swirl your way up to your temples, making sure it’s blended in for that “I-look-this-fabulous-just-after-waking-up” look!
5. Lips: In With the New
The best way to freshen up your look? Try a new shade of lipstick! Pulling off a color, as long as it works with your skin tone, is not the tricky part of lipstick; once again, the key here is texture! A heavy, thick lipstick will look great at first, but eventually bleed and look a bit excessive. The key here is to go for a more sheer look, which will look more natural anyway! First, make sure your color is partially sheer, which will give the effect of a naturally colored lip. Second, try applying your lipstick with a brush or your finger, rather than straight from the tube; this ensures that you use less product, so that it stays in place for a longer, more even wear.
I hope these tips have inspired you to re-investigate and play with your make-up drawer! Who knows? Maybe this week or weekend will be the perfect opportunity to show off a look that is all new and all you!
Bisous,
