It is well into the festive season, and time for that well earned holiday that everybody has been looking forward to all year. The weather is pleasant, well most of the time, and all women want to look their best, so, some make- up and fun tips will come in handy.
Skin Care
A well cared for skin of any colour should be the most important part of any beauty routine. Make- up should just enhance a person’s looks.
Being outside means that sun block must be worn by all to protect delicate facial skin, because most skin damage happens before the age of 18. In addition:
- Use a cleanser in the morning and evening, and a few times a week exfoliate with a gentle scrub.
- Keep skin hydrated with a good moisturiser that has at least a SPF15+ factor.
- Make sure there is no build-up of old make- up and do not neglect skin just because it’s holiday time.
- Get enough sleep, because the skin will be first to show the ravages of too many late nights and not enough care.
Foundation or Base
Find the correct base and a colour for winter and for summer. Try different brands and colours to find the one that suits a person’s lifestyle best. Test along the jaw line, as it should match the natural colour of a client’s neck. Estee Lauder, Clinique, Kanebo, L’Oreal and Yardley have a good variety of colours. Revlon has some lovely colours for darker skin.
Concealer
It should match skin tone or be one shade lighter and can be used to cover dark circles under the eyes and any discoloured patches on the face. If applied after base, it will cover better and not be rubbed off. Do use it sparingly. Rimmel, Palladio or Physician’s formula have a good selection.
Blusher
If an imaginary line is drawn down the centre of the eye; that would be the furthest point where blush should be applied. Apply with half moon strokes along or just under the cheekbone from the hair line and blend in well. Start with a little bit. Once the make up has been finished a little more can be added, but be careful of looking sunburnt. For a very natural look, apply below eyebrows as well and match lipstick with the blusher. All beauty houses have good blushers, so price might decide a client’s final choice.
Eye Shadow
When applying eye shadow to the crease of the eye, tilt the head back see the shadow being created and if a person’s eyes are puffy, do not use frosted shadow, but rather try a softer, matte colour.
On the lower lid, a dark brown shadow can be applied to make eyes appear bigger. If eyeliner is being used, apply as close to the lid as possible. Again, experiment with the best look as each person has different tastes and personalities.
Mascara should be applied from the base of the lashes in an upward motion. Use a lash curler before applying mascara as it will make lashes appear longer. Blondies should use a brown or dark brown rather than black as black mascara could create a harsher effect against pale skin.
Brow colour should look as natural as possible using a brow pencil or an eye shadow in small upward strokes on the brow.
Lip Colour
Light frosty shades will make lips look fuller. If the eyes are to be the centre of attention, do not wear dramatic lip shades as the overall effect can look ‘painted’. Emphasise the eyes or the lips, not both.
Older women will find that a matte lipstick can age them, so a little shine is a good idea, and they should always use a lip liner to prevent lipstick ‘bleeding’ over the lines. Follow with some gloss.
Lip gloss can be worn by everybody, alone or over lipstick. If lips are very full, use sparingly.
Summer Make- Up
The look for summer is always fresh, and showing off a healthy glowing skin. For the best look use a peach bronze blush and gorgeous pink and glossy lips.
For the summer look, blush can be applied to the apples of the cheeks and sweep the brush up towards the side of the brow as well.
For foundation, normal base can be used, but add a bronzer and apply with a big, soft brush over the whole face.
Shimmering eye shadows can be used in summer, but less is better, so practise and experiment for the look that suits best.
Accentuate eyes with a kohl eyeliner pencil into the ridge of the lashes, and finish off with a generous amount of mascara to accentuate pretty eyes.
Clubbing or Big Night Out
Do all make up as usual, except for the eyes. For evening, dramatic purples, brown, dark blue, charcoal can be used and younger people can use shadow with some glitter. Go for a polished look and blend colours well.
Depending on the shape of a person’s eyes and whether eyes are deep set or not, start with a light colour that can be smoothed over the entire eye area under the brow. A darker colour can then be added in the crease of the eye. The darker the more dramatic, but don’t overdo the drama. Eyeliners come in fun colours, so match the colour of the dress or the eyes. Go dramatic or elegant and always step back to look at the overall effect, and finally adds lots of mascara. The perfect mascara is the one that the client prefers. L’Oreal, Revlon, Maybelline and Claudia Stevens have an interesting variety to choose from, but so do the other beauty houses.
Smokey Eyes
Do make up as normal and then start with the eye area.
Apply a neutral colour from lash to brow, and if possible, find one with a shimmer.
Line the eyes with a black eye pencil top and bottom, as close to the lashes as possible. Then this must be softened with a small eye shadow brush. Blend and soften. Then apply some black powder eye shadow over this on the top lid and gently blend in. Then some grey or brown shadow can be applied over the rest of the eye lid as well, and then finished off with mascara. Blondes may prefer a charcoal or dark grey shadow.
To prevent the dark eye shadow from ‘spilling’ onto the cheekbone area, use a tissue under the eye to catch any stray shadow. Once the upper lid has been done, use some eye shadow on the lower lid and finish with lashings of good mascara.
If the pencil and shadow is overdone or not blended well, it can create a raccoon effect. Use an earbud to smooth and reduce if necessary.
A bit of shimmer can be added to the corner of the eyes, under the brow and directly above the pupil on the lid. Try it, it works!
Finish with a neutral lipstick and add a bit of gloss.
Dramatic Lips
If the lips are to be the centre of attraction, do make up as usual, but downplay the eyes by using a neutral colour with a little bit of shimmer on the eyelid and mascara. Match blusher and lipstick, and in this case a dramatic lip liner and matching lip colour can be used. Finish off with a lip gloss and add some shimmer to the centre of the bottom lip for extra effect.
Above all, have fun and experiment with make up. What looks good on one person might look awful on somebody else. Watch the fashion magazines for new trends and try it at home first. Splash out on a visit to a professional make up artist, watch closely and try it for yourself.
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