For years, I have struggled with makeup. I have tried different products, different brushes, and different brands. Until recently, I’ve never really been completely satisfied with my makeup routine. My blush never lasted, my eye makeup ALWAYS ended up under my eyes, and my dark circles could NEVER be hidden. As I approach my 40s, I finally feel like I’ve mastered my makeup! There are a few tweaks that my methods could use, but I like the overall effect I’m getting. Fortunately, there are a few tips I can pass on to you that will make a world of difference. Here is why you’re putting on your makeup all wrong and what you can do to get it right.
The order you put on makeup matters
For so many years, I struggled with the order that I should apply products. Does foundation go before or after concealer? Eyeliner before or after eye shadow? The best order I’ve found is as follows: Primer, eye shadow primer, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, eyeliner, foundation, concealer, powder, blush, mascara, setting spray. I’ll go into more detail with some of those steps, but for now, I’ll focus on one part that might surprise you. Your eye makeup goes on BEFORE your foundation. When a makeup artist taught me that trick, I was shocked. It felt strange. If I put on eye makeup first, I couldn’t put foundation on my eyelids! The horror! But, for some reason, it works. It also gives you a chance to blend out any eye makeup mishaps. Not that you ever have any – I know I never do! 😉
Use primer and setting spray
I don’t always use primer and setting spray, but when I’m doing a full face of makeup and I know I want it to last, I make sure to use a primer and a setting spray. Though I recommend asking a professional for help picking out a primer that is right for your skin, the one I use is Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. It’s expensive, but worth it. For setting spray, I go cheap – Nyx Makeup Setting Spray in Matte. This spray makes my blush stay on all day. Eye shadow primer is also essential. A makeup artist told me if you use a good enough eye shawdow primer, you don’t need to use expensive eye makeup (more on that later).
Shake and bake (your concealer)!
This is a technique I learned from watching makeup tutorials on Instagram. (I can’t recommend makeup videos enough – they feel like a form of art.) When you apply your concealer, it needs time to “bake”. By that I mean, apply it, don’t blend it in, and let it sit on your face for about five minutes. Your body heat will cause it to set better on your face. At that point, you can blend it in.
Know when to spend and when to save
As I mentioned earlier, some expensive products work better than the cheap stuff. The opposite is also true. In my experience, I choose to splurge on foundation, concealer, powder, and primer. Where I save is on eye shadow, eyeliner, blush, and mascara. That last item in particular blew my mind when I figured it out. I’ve tried expensive mascaras, thinking that they’d be less likely to run and make me look like a raccoon. WRONG. The best mascara I’ve found costs less than FIVE DOLLARS. I wear contacts, so I have to wear something waterproof that won’t smudge, but is also easy to take off. This Covergirl mascara fits the bill.
Though I resisted it for years, I strongly recommend getting help from a professional when determining what is right for your facial chemistry. You may have to experiment a bit beyond that. Just remember that makeup should be a fun experience, a chance to express yourself, and something you use because you like it. No amount of makeup can cover up you not enjoying yourself!
