APPLYING MAKE UP

Wake up can be such a drag to apply sometimes especially when you are in a hurry.

So how to do it in a fast, concise way without wasting time and been late for your date.

To start with clean your face, because dust accumulated throughout the day prevents the skin from breathing and make-up from holding.

 You can also use a facial wipes when applying a fresh coat of makeup in the afternoon to avoid clogging your skin and breakouts.

Makeup does not sit well on dry skin, so you need to moisturise your skin with a product that is adapted to your type of skin.

There is no need to slather on six layers of powder you will just look embalmed and funny.

Always apply the correct shade of makeup so go to a beauty expert with a clean face for a trial.

Concealer and Foundation despite both been cover ups have different roles.

Concealer should be one or two shades LIGHTER than your skin and is used to cover blemishes, freckles, discolorations, moles, and acne.

Dab it on your undesirable areas and blend it in lightly with either a concealer or blending brush, or your finger (which I prefer) gently.

Foundation should the exact same shade of your skin and goes either all over your face or just on problem areas to even skin tone and provide a base for other makeup as well as add more colour to the face.

It can be liquid, cream, stick, or powder and comes in a variety of finishes and coverage levels ranging from like tinted moisturizer to full coverage.

It can be Dewey, natural, or matte in finish you need to consult a beautician or make up expert before you buy to see which one is ideal for your skin.

Face powder works at giving you that clean look by absorbing oils and grease, thus reducing the infamous “shine”.

There are three powders you can choose from depending on your occasion and skin type.

Pressed powder is found in a compact and good for concealing skin problems. It can even be worn alone and works better for women without oily skin.

Loose powder comes in a container and is a good option for both oily and normal skin types it must be applied with a large powder brush.

 It has good oil absorbing qualities and smoothes the skin and adds colour - all while seeming translucent.

Just ensure you dust it on evenly before you get dressed, or the powder will float onto your clothes.

Mineral powder is a new-comer to the makeup world; it provides long coverage and does not clog your pores.

It is also believed to decrease the look of fine lines and actually work to heal the skin.

Match the powder colour to your natural skin tone by testing it on the top of your hand a wrong shade gives you a reddish or orangish appearance.

Remember the steps are concealer, foundation, and then powder though it’s vital to not wear all three every day, give your skin a break.

I know most women (me inclusive love blush) because it not only adds colour but also contours and defines your cheek bones.

 Look into the mirror and smile this helps you figure out where the "apple" of your cheek is. 

The diagram below should help you identify the shape of your face and where the blush needs to sit.

Another trick is to match your lip colour. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot, or even red.

Choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is typically best for oily and combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin and for even better results, combine cream and powder together.

A trick when you run out of blush use lipstick by dabbing a little on your cheeks, and then rubbing with fingers, voila.

Use a baby toothbrush to exfoliate your lips with a mixture of sugar and coconut oil or cover your lips in lip balm or petroleum jelly before scrubbing.

Begin by defining your lips shape with a lip pencil whose shade is closer to the colour of your lipstick. Lip liners prevent lipstick from bleeding and hold it better. 

Apply your lipstick from the centre of the lips out to the corners. For added shine, add a touch of lip gloss.