Applying makeup is an art form. And to make it more difficult, the “best” way to do it isn’t the same for each person.
However, there are some of the most trusted tips and tricks that work more often than not and we’ve gathered the best ones to help you work through your cosmetic conundrums.
From matching foundation to getting your eyeliner just right, be sure to scroll all the way through for some advice you may not have thought of.
1. Make your own mix
“If you can’t find a perfect shade, buy one that’s slightly darker than your skin and one that’s slightly lighter, then fine-tune the color yourself.”
First, spray hairspray on a clean, disposable mascara wand. Then brush your brows up and into the shape you’re going for. If it makes the hair on our head stay in place, it definitely works for the hair on our face!
9. Use a matte bronzer to make your eyes look bigger
If you’re doing a full face of makeup but want to keep your eyes bare, put a little bit of matte bronzer in your lid crease and bottom lashline. That way, they will still be bare, but they will also appear bigger.
Then sweep eyeshadow on top with a fine liner brush to create a smudge-proof eyeliner. Now if you’re out of eyeliner, you can use your shadows for the same effect!
16. You can also use a cotton pad for eyeliner guidance
If you use cotton pads to apply your face makeup, use those same pads for your eyeliner! Simply fold it in half and use the straight side to line up with your eye for the perfect sweep. No tape needed.
“My favorite ‘look younger’ makeup tip is to first use a luminizer in the inner corner, then swoop it with a fan brush underneath the eye. This brightens the face.”
“Skin needs time to breathe and when you’re sleeping, your body is repairing the most. Sleeping in makeup is not only messy, but it causes breakouts, premature aging, and stained bedding. Take care of your skin, loves!”
“Those looks are made for them, their skin type, skin tone, and face shape. People always come into my shop and request to look like Kim Kardashian and I have to explain to them that it might not work on them and sometimes they even get upset when it doesn’t turn out. Yes, I can do it, but it won’t look good on you. Instead, ask for something dramatic like Kim Kardashian or whatever you want but do not ask to look like them!”
“Your makeup, no matter how much you paid for it, will not look its best when it’s added on top of dry, scaly, splotchy, oily and just plain unhappy skin. Want to get makeup optional skin? INVEST in skincare.”
“When wearing foundation please blend it out. Put product on your jawline, and blend it out into your neck. Also blend the foundation along the edges of your face out. It’ll help create a natural look and make it less obvious you’re wearing foundation, plus it will visually improve your color match.”
28. Don’t use stark white concealer under your eyes
“Use an under-eye concealer one shade lighter than your face concealer, not two or three shades. It will give you a naturally bright effect instead of a contrasting white effect, which looks super unnatural.”
30. The same foundation that works for you in the summer might not work for you in the winter
For example, I use a more moisturizing foundation in the winter (Too Faced Born This Way) and prefer a more matte coverage in the summer (Hourglass Stick Foundation).
32. Blend your foundation into your hairline and make sure to contour that too
Everyone knows to drag their makeup down their neck a little bit, but too often I see people with a line between their makeup and hair. Not a good look!
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people do this and it makes me cringe. Brushes already harbor bacteria if not cleaned and taken care of properly; you blowing on your brushes and getting saliva particles all over it isn’t helping considering you’re applying it directly to your face therefore causing breakouts, clogged pores, etc. If you’ve picked up too much product, just tap it off or give your brush a little shake.”
Fun fact: most of the mascara magic actually comes from the brush. So if you found one that really works for you, save the brush when you’re done, clean it, and try using it with a cheaper bottle! It’s really not necessary to spend big bucks on this.
“Add your favorite blush to the cheeks before you apply foundation for a glow that looks like it’s coming from beneath the skin. A bright, warm pink at the apple is perfect for any complexion.”
“Apply two shades of blush for the perfect flush of youth. Pink, or anything in the red family should be placed on the apple of the cheek; it will give the effect of blood coming to the surface. Peach, coral, or anything in the orange family should be applied to the highest point of the cheekbone; that gives the effect of heat rising. Finish by bringing a matte bronzer to the skin where sun hits the face (forehead, cheekbone, bridge of nose, and chin).”
“Use the handle of a brush to lift the eyelid at the base of the lashes to roll your lashes up and back; this allows you to wiggle the mascara wand against the base of the lashes and pull through any clumps in a clean and precise manner.”
“If you want to find the perfect red for your complexion, try applying one lip color that has the same undertone as your complexion all over the lip: Cool uses cool, warm uses warm. Apply a red with the opposite tone just to the center for a lip that looks full and fantastic.”
