Clean up Your Makeup Routine

When it comes to the application of makeup, you need to have an easy, no fuss routine for daily life and be able to incorporate other makeup techniques for special occasions. For the most part, women like to look fresh, natural and not too “done up”. I hear this from regular clients as well as the brides that are in and out of the salon all year long. There comes a certain point for nearly all women when we would like to do more to enhance our natural appearance. Here are a few tips to get you out the door with little effort.

FOUNDATION

Choosing the right foundation can be challenging, but there a few things that can make the process easier. First, know your skin type! This is by far the most important thing to know because otherwise your skin could feel oily, dry, cakey, etc. When looking for a foundation it is generally listed on the product what type of coverage you can expect. Liquid is by far the most readily available and fits combination, balanced and dry skin. Powder is also popular and suited for those with balanced, combination or oily skin. Cream foundation is an option suited for those with dry skin and is generally more full coverage. The goal is to have it seamlessly blend into the skin with little effort. It’s easiest to have this done by someone trained to identify one’s skin level (light, med, dark) and skin tone (cool, warm, neutral). Those that work as Makeup Artists are trained to foundation match. Also, anytime you switch foundation brands or formulas you’ll need to be re-matched, luckily most places are more than happy to do this for free!

3 MINUTE MAKEUP

FOUNDATION/TINTED SPF - This is your bare-bones, I-needed-to-leave-5-minutes-ago routine, it’s quick, simple and you’ll look presentable. First, primer, if you have any kind of skin texture issues, large pores, this is important. Primer can be applied with a brush or your fingers. Next is foundation or Tinted SPF – Tinted SPF, BB Cream, CC Cream, it’s all pretty much the same, just find what works best for you and apply all over with your foundation brush.

LASHES - Next, lashes are the easiest way to look like you’re actually awake. Use a lash curler and give each set of lashes a 2-3 pumps, then follow with mascara. A few words about mascara, throw it out every 3 months, always twirl the wand in the tube (pumping dries it out faster) and lengthening mascara will always be less clumpy than volumizing mascara. If you don’t care for mascara, look into lash tinting or lash extensions and you’ll go from 3 minute to 1 minute makeup. Finish it off with a light, translucent powder and you’re ready to go.

5 MINUTE MAKEUP

CONCEALER - Now, if you have a bit more time, adding concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes will help pull your look together even further. Use a concealer after you’ve applied foundation to avoid using too much – a good camouflage brush helps with this as well as creating a finished appearance.

BRONZER/BLUSH - Depending on your look you can use one or the other or both! Bronzer is great for contouring with a fan brush or powder brush - use it sparingly on the temples, hollows of the cheeks and jawline to create a more slender face. Blush should go from the ear and toward the nose to accent the cheeks.

10 MINUTE MAKEUP

EYELINER - When choosing eyeliner, pick something you feel comfortable applying, the easiest is a creamy style liner that’s easy to smudge along the lash line to create a natural look. If your favorite eyeliner doesn’t have a smudge brush on it, buy one! Nearly any imperfect eyeliner application can be salvaged as long as you have a smudge brush.

EYESHADOW - Dust on one basic neutral color over the entire lid then a lighter color onto the brow bone to brighten the eyes. Also, if you haven’t tried one yet try an eyeshadow crayon! Eyeshadow crayons are fast and easy, just make sure you find one that’s long-wearing. You can do many different things with eyeshadow to enhance your look. If you’re choosing to wear mascara apply it after your eyeshadow.

LIPSTICK/GLOSS - Finish off your look with a swipe of your favorite lipstick, right now matte, colorful, long-wearing lipsticks are in – mostly bold reds, plums and bright pinks! If that’s not your style, neutrals and glosses are still popular choices! The goal is to feel confident in whatever you put on.