Choosing the right foundation is key to a successful makeup application. You want a foundation that first and foremost is the right color for your skin. The foundation must also apply smoothly and evenly so the rest of your makeup goes on just as smooth.
There are a couple of ways to go about choosing the right shade for your skin tone. The easiest way, of course is to go to a makeup counter that offers free makeup consultations and they will help you with the process. This can be time consuming and often times there is pressure from salespeople to purchase the products they have used. I have been through this numerous times so I know that can be frustrating.
If you want to go through this process yourself that is fine and not hard at all. You want to go to a makeup store/counter that has testers. Find a couple shades that you think (just by look) might be the right shade. Take a sample from each and apply them side by side in a short line on your jawline (top to bottom) and towards your neck. After you have done that try to blend them in. The one that you can no longer visibly see is the right shade for you. If neither of those shades work the grab some more and try again until you've got it right.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tools/implements and why you need them!
I bet some of you are wondering what you are going to need. If you have ever purchased makeup (which I'm sure you have) then you've noticed most makeup usually comes with some sort of applicator. While those do work in a pinch, they are not the best things to use. They usually absorb all your product and very little actually goes on your skin. Not a very big help, eh? I am sure it is a marketing ploy so that the product doesn't last as long and you have to buy more.. However, I am a bargain person and love to save money so I am going to share some things with you that will save you money longterm. There might be a little more spent upfront (I've got some tips on that too) but it will be worth it!
Before I tell you what you'll need let me say that I have a ton of makeup brushes. Keep in mind that this is my career and you don't need to buy every brush you see (even though I sometimes do...). There are seven brushes you will need and they will help you achieve almost any look. They are:
Foundation brush - This is a large flat or rounded tip brush (flat is better though they are sometimes harder to find unless you go to more expensive makeup stores). Those lovely sponge cosmetic wedges do work but, again, usually all of your foundation goes on the sponge and you get very little on your face. The brush helps foundation spread more evenly and you end up using less product. This brush is used for liquid foundation most often but could also be used for foundation found in the compact style. Again, throw away that little sponge that comes with it! You will thank me later!
Powder brush - This is the most common brush that most people can identify. It is often compared to a blush brush but I will explain what is needed for blush next. This is the brush you will use to apply loose powder to seal your foundation. There is also a trick I will share with you shown to me by a makeup artist that will help guard against fall-out. I will explain fall-out later.
Blush brush or kabuki brush - This (as the name implies) is a short blunt top brush used to apply blush. Not everyone wears blush so that is a personal choice. In place of blush you can also just use a highlighter which is basically just a shimmer on the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones without applying any color.
Shadow brush - This is a rounded tip brush used to apply color to the eyelid. This is for your base lid color. These vary in size but you generally want to go for one that is a bit wider to get more even coverage and to save time. We don't all have 3 hours to get ready, right? This brush can also be used to apply the highlight underneath the eyebrow on the brow bone.
Crease brush - This is a brush designed specifically to apply color to the crease of your eyelid. This application will be explained in detail later as there are a couple ways to accomplish this task. There are also varying sizes and shapes for this brush as well. There are wide flat versions and there are smaller dome-shaped versions. I prefer the dome-shaped because it gives me more control. If the other works best for you go ahead and use it!
Blending brush - This is a fluffy dome-shaped brush used at the end of the makeup application to make sure there are no harsh lines. You want your eye makeup to be fluid and not have a start-stop-start-stop effect. It is important for this brush to be very flexible to aid in the blending process. If the brush is stiff it will not be very effective at blending.
Eyeliner brush - This is a brush used to apply eyeliner. These brushes can either be angled brushes or smaller fine point brushes. Yes, you can still use your pencil liners or liquid brush liners if you choose but I have found that a brush gives you more control and a more fluid line. The easiest eyeliner to apply with a brush is cake liner which usually comes in a small round or square container and looks like paint with a more solid consistency.
Before I tell you what you'll need let me say that I have a ton of makeup brushes. Keep in mind that this is my career and you don't need to buy every brush you see (even though I sometimes do...). There are seven brushes you will need and they will help you achieve almost any look. They are:
Foundation brush - This is a large flat or rounded tip brush (flat is better though they are sometimes harder to find unless you go to more expensive makeup stores). Those lovely sponge cosmetic wedges do work but, again, usually all of your foundation goes on the sponge and you get very little on your face. The brush helps foundation spread more evenly and you end up using less product. This brush is used for liquid foundation most often but could also be used for foundation found in the compact style. Again, throw away that little sponge that comes with it! You will thank me later!
Powder brush - This is the most common brush that most people can identify. It is often compared to a blush brush but I will explain what is needed for blush next. This is the brush you will use to apply loose powder to seal your foundation. There is also a trick I will share with you shown to me by a makeup artist that will help guard against fall-out. I will explain fall-out later.
Blush brush or kabuki brush - This (as the name implies) is a short blunt top brush used to apply blush. Not everyone wears blush so that is a personal choice. In place of blush you can also just use a highlighter which is basically just a shimmer on the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones without applying any color.
Shadow brush - This is a rounded tip brush used to apply color to the eyelid. This is for your base lid color. These vary in size but you generally want to go for one that is a bit wider to get more even coverage and to save time. We don't all have 3 hours to get ready, right? This brush can also be used to apply the highlight underneath the eyebrow on the brow bone.
Crease brush - This is a brush designed specifically to apply color to the crease of your eyelid. This application will be explained in detail later as there are a couple ways to accomplish this task. There are also varying sizes and shapes for this brush as well. There are wide flat versions and there are smaller dome-shaped versions. I prefer the dome-shaped because it gives me more control. If the other works best for you go ahead and use it!
Blending brush - This is a fluffy dome-shaped brush used at the end of the makeup application to make sure there are no harsh lines. You want your eye makeup to be fluid and not have a start-stop-start-stop effect. It is important for this brush to be very flexible to aid in the blending process. If the brush is stiff it will not be very effective at blending.
Eyeliner brush - This is a brush used to apply eyeliner. These brushes can either be angled brushes or smaller fine point brushes. Yes, you can still use your pencil liners or liquid brush liners if you choose but I have found that a brush gives you more control and a more fluid line. The easiest eyeliner to apply with a brush is cake liner which usually comes in a small round or square container and looks like paint with a more solid consistency.
I must come clean...
Okay. For all of you out there that decided you want to give my blog a read, I decided that I need to be completely honest and upfront with you. I have an eyelash addiction.
I know, you are thinking, 'how many pairs of lashes could she have'? The sad part, I didn't even know until I counted them 10 minutes ago. I have 26 -- and those are the ones that haven't been worn yet -- because I just purchased them all within the last two weeks. I have two little organizers full of ones that I've already worn. That would probably make my grand total about 40 pairs. I have enough lashes that if for some reason (which I would not be terribly upset about -- we will get to that later) all my eyelashes fell out I would have enough eyelashes to wear a different pair every day for a month and a week and never repeat pairs! FANTASTIC!
What? You aren't supposed to wear fake lashes every day? Who told you that? MYTH! Good news - YOU can do whatever you want! HA! Those who say you shouldn't wear them all the time are either jealous because they don't know how to apply them or they have wonderfully beautiful long lashes and will never need them anyway unless it is for a special occasion.
Oh yeah, special occasions. I do not believe that eyelashes are only for special occasions. Do I usually save my "craziest" lashes for parties and the like, yes. Have I ever worn a crazy pair to school or work because I was feeling particularly creative, yes. That is the wonderful thing about eyelashes and makeup. Okay, I am getting ahead of myself.
In closing, my name is Kelly and I am an eyelash-o-holic. WHO CARES?! Hopefully by the time you get through a few posts of my blog YOU will be too! Don't be afraid of eyelashes. They are loads of fun once you learn how to apply them and you'll be surprised at how easy it is!! Oh, you want me to show you? Keep reading and I might! <wink>
P.S.- For those of you who are curious, because I know a few of you are.... I have attached photos of some of the lashes referenced above. This will give you an idea of what is available to you and what your options are. TIP: Halloween is a GREAT time to find false lashes! You can usually always find them at beauty supply stores like Sally Beauty Supply but you can find some really fun and crazy ones in the Halloween specialty stores or even in your local grocery store or drug store! So, grab yourselves some and let's put 'em on!
I know, you are thinking, 'how many pairs of lashes could she have'? The sad part, I didn't even know until I counted them 10 minutes ago. I have 26 -- and those are the ones that haven't been worn yet -- because I just purchased them all within the last two weeks. I have two little organizers full of ones that I've already worn. That would probably make my grand total about 40 pairs. I have enough lashes that if for some reason (which I would not be terribly upset about -- we will get to that later) all my eyelashes fell out I would have enough eyelashes to wear a different pair every day for a month and a week and never repeat pairs! FANTASTIC!
What? You aren't supposed to wear fake lashes every day? Who told you that? MYTH! Good news - YOU can do whatever you want! HA! Those who say you shouldn't wear them all the time are either jealous because they don't know how to apply them or they have wonderfully beautiful long lashes and will never need them anyway unless it is for a special occasion.
Oh yeah, special occasions. I do not believe that eyelashes are only for special occasions. Do I usually save my "craziest" lashes for parties and the like, yes. Have I ever worn a crazy pair to school or work because I was feeling particularly creative, yes. That is the wonderful thing about eyelashes and makeup. Okay, I am getting ahead of myself.
In closing, my name is Kelly and I am an eyelash-o-holic. WHO CARES?! Hopefully by the time you get through a few posts of my blog YOU will be too! Don't be afraid of eyelashes. They are loads of fun once you learn how to apply them and you'll be surprised at how easy it is!! Oh, you want me to show you? Keep reading and I might! <wink>
P.S.- For those of you who are curious, because I know a few of you are.... I have attached photos of some of the lashes referenced above. This will give you an idea of what is available to you and what your options are. TIP: Halloween is a GREAT time to find false lashes! You can usually always find them at beauty supply stores like Sally Beauty Supply but you can find some really fun and crazy ones in the Halloween specialty stores or even in your local grocery store or drug store! So, grab yourselves some and let's put 'em on!
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