Basic Must Haves in Makeup
10 Essential Makeup Must-Haves
Most women have the same exact problem: a cosmetic bag that's overflowing, but no clue exactly what to do with all the products. That's when it's time to take a back-to-basics approach: These products are all you need for a flawless face and our makeup application tips will help you get the look just right.
Most women have the same exact problem: a cosmetic bag that's overflowing, but no clue exactly what to do with all the products. That's when it's time to take a back-to-basics approach: These products are all you need for a flawless face and our makeup application tips will help you get the look just right.
1. A no-show foundation
Are you warm? Cool? Olive? Give up? (We don't have a clue, either.) The best way to find your perfect match is to leave it to the professionals. Stop by any cosmetics counter and ask for help finding your shade. If you're fending for yourself, swipe a few colors vertically across your jawline, and whichever one is barely visible is your best bet.
Are you warm? Cool? Olive? Give up? (We don't have a clue, either.) The best way to find your perfect match is to leave it to the professionals. Stop by any cosmetics counter and ask for help finding your shade. If you're fending for yourself, swipe a few colors vertically across your jawline, and whichever one is barely visible is your best bet.
Tip: After cleansing and moisturizing your face, apply foundation with...your fingers! It's quicker and easier than using a sponge or brush. Simply dab the foundation onto the areas that need it most (ruddy cheeks, dark circles, uneven spots) and blend gently.
2. A super concealer
Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. And while it may just be a temporary fix, with the right technique you can hide them completely.
Tip: Apply a non-creasy eye cream, then use your ring finger to gently dab concealer onto dark areas. Allow it a minute to be absorbed, then carefully blend the edges into skin. The key is light pressure—if you rub too hard, you'll actually rub the product off.
Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. And while it may just be a temporary fix, with the right technique you can hide them completely.
Tip: Apply a non-creasy eye cream, then use your ring finger to gently dab concealer onto dark areas. Allow it a minute to be absorbed, then carefully blend the edges into skin. The key is light pressure—if you rub too hard, you'll actually rub the product off.
3. A natural blush
The right shade will make you look like you're blushing, not like you're wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer.
Tip: Use a blush brush to swipe a small amount of color across the apples of your cheeks (the round section that sticks out when you smile). If you can see clearly where the blush begins or ends, you've used too much or the color is too dark.
The right shade will make you look like you're blushing, not like you're wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer.
Tip: Use a blush brush to swipe a small amount of color across the apples of your cheeks (the round section that sticks out when you smile). If you can see clearly where the blush begins or ends, you've used too much or the color is too dark.
4. A great eyelash curler
Most eyelashes grow outward, not upward, so applying mascara without curling your lashes won't provide the same impact.
Tip: Never curl lashes after you apply mascara—they can stick to the tool and end up getting yanked out. Use a plastic curler like Sephora's Go Curler (which can help you avoid the "bent"look that metal curlers give). Place it as close to the base as you can without catching your eyelid, press for a few seconds, then gently press a few more times along the middle of lashes if necessary.
Most eyelashes grow outward, not upward, so applying mascara without curling your lashes won't provide the same impact.
Tip: Never curl lashes after you apply mascara—they can stick to the tool and end up getting yanked out. Use a plastic curler like Sephora's Go Curler (which can help you avoid the "bent"look that metal curlers give). Place it as close to the base as you can without catching your eyelid, press for a few seconds, then gently press a few more times along the middle of lashes if necessary.
5. Clump-free mascara
Mascara thickens as it's exposed to air over time, which leads to clumps. If yours is goopy, toss it! Or try a different brand.
Tip: Curl lashes first, then press the mascara wand against your lashes, steering clear of lids. As you move the wand up toward the lash tips, gently wiggle it back and forth in a zigzag motion, which helps ensure you hit every lash.
Mascara thickens as it's exposed to air over time, which leads to clumps. If yours is goopy, toss it! Or try a different brand.
Tip: Curl lashes first, then press the mascara wand against your lashes, steering clear of lids. As you move the wand up toward the lash tips, gently wiggle it back and forth in a zigzag motion, which helps ensure you hit every lash.
6. Aglide-on eyeliner
Eyes are sensitive, and probably don't take kindly to us slathering them with makeup—especially on the sensitive rims and inner lash lines. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging, and be sure the product is labeled as ophthomalogist-tested.
Tip: When lining your upper lash line, press a finger gently against your brow bone to pull up the lid slightly. This makes the skin slightly taught and helps you get closer to the lashes. Use your other hand to "dot" the liner across the tops of lashes.
Eyes are sensitive, and probably don't take kindly to us slathering them with makeup—especially on the sensitive rims and inner lash lines. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging, and be sure the product is labeled as ophthomalogist-tested.
Tip: When lining your upper lash line, press a finger gently against your brow bone to pull up the lid slightly. This makes the skin slightly taught and helps you get closer to the lashes. Use your other hand to "dot" the liner across the tops of lashes.
7. An allover highlighter
A slightly shimmery cream highlighter has many uses—from lifting your brows to slimming your nose to sculpting your cheeks. Choose a soft nude, peach, or pink for the most versatility.
Tip: To visually slim your nose, use your pinky to trace a thin line of highlighter down the length of the bone, then blend. To make cheekbones pop, gently blend highlighter across the tops of your cheeks, right above your blush.
A slightly shimmery cream highlighter has many uses—from lifting your brows to slimming your nose to sculpting your cheeks. Choose a soft nude, peach, or pink for the most versatility.
Tip: To visually slim your nose, use your pinky to trace a thin line of highlighter down the length of the bone, then blend. To make cheekbones pop, gently blend highlighter across the tops of your cheeks, right above your blush.
8. The perfect nude lipstick
Some look too brown, and others too pink. Is it futile to try and find that one nude shade that just makes a bare face pop? The makeup artist known for the natural look also specializes in natural-looking lipstick (go figure). Trust us—she has the perfect nude for everyone.
Some look too brown, and others too pink. Is it futile to try and find that one nude shade that just makes a bare face pop? The makeup artist known for the natural look also specializes in natural-looking lipstick (go figure). Trust us—she has the perfect nude for everyone.
Tip: Chapped lips should be taken care of before you even think of applying lipstick. For a cheap fix, try Vaseline, Wear a thick layer to bed and wake up to softer lips in the morning.
9. A basic, flattering eyeshadow
Some eyeshadows barely show up; others make us look likewe're headed to a Motley Crue concert. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone -- think a soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupey-gray orgolden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin.
Tip: Use a soft eyeshadow brush to sweep shadow across lids, blending into and just above creases. Make sure to use light, feathery strokes so that there are no hard lines.
Some eyeshadows barely show up; others make us look likewe're headed to a Motley Crue concert. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone -- think a soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupey-gray orgolden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin.
Tip: Use a soft eyeshadow brush to sweep shadow across lids, blending into and just above creases. Make sure to use light, feathery strokes so that there are no hard lines.
10. A Good brush set
With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles. (You don't see professional makeup artists using the tiny sponge applicators that come with the products!) Invest in a good brush set—Sephora makes great options in all price ranges.
Tip: Remember to clean brushes every so often to keep bacteria at bay and makeup colors fresh. You can buy brush cleaners at department and cosmetic stores, or dilute a gentle soap or baby shampoo in warm water and soak brushes in that.
With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles. (You don't see professional makeup artists using the tiny sponge applicators that come with the products!) Invest in a good brush set—Sephora makes great options in all price ranges.
Tip: Remember to clean brushes every so often to keep bacteria at bay and makeup colors fresh. You can buy brush cleaners at department and cosmetic stores, or dilute a gentle soap or baby shampoo in warm water and soak brushes in that.
Extras :
PRIMER
Primer, hey? That little liquid so many of us skip, yet if we took time to smooth it on, our makeup would anchor down. And who doesn't want their face base to hold on for that extra mile? Especially as these magical creams lend skin benefits, too.
Primer, hey? That little liquid so many of us skip, yet if we took time to smooth it on, our makeup would anchor down. And who doesn't want their face base to hold on for that extra mile? Especially as these magical creams lend skin benefits, too.
FACE POWDER
A glow is good, but shine is not, even if you want dewy skin, so keep a translucent powder to hand to put oil at bay.
A glow is good, but shine is not, even if you want dewy skin, so keep a translucent powder to hand to put oil at bay.
BRONZING POWDER
Bronzer isn't to be feared, even on porcelain skin, as this is your sure-thing product if you want to contour cheeks. On each side of your face, apply in the shape of a number '3'. This should hit your hairline, the hollows of cheeks and the jawline, adding shadow to the parts of your face that naturally fall back.
Bronzer isn't to be feared, even on porcelain skin, as this is your sure-thing product if you want to contour cheeks. On each side of your face, apply in the shape of a number '3'. This should hit your hairline, the hollows of cheeks and the jawline, adding shadow to the parts of your face that naturally fall back.
