#morpe

Applying makeup flawlessly takes time and skill but these three easy ways can help change your look effortlessly.

1.       Priming:

Priming is essential to ensuring your makeup goes on flawlessly and lasts all day. There are lots of different types of primers with different uses, such as eye primers, foundation primers and lip primers. They also range in price and formula. Primers can also be suited to your skin type in order to achieve a perfect appearance.  

My two favourite primers for my skin type are the Rimmel Match Perfection Fix and Perfect Primer and the Benefit Porefessional.

The Rimmel primer is said to “Have a Unique advanced formula, Foundation glides on more smoothly, more evenly and wears longer. Or wear alone for an all-day fresh and even complexion, Smoothes to minimize pores, Resurfaces for an even complexion, Brightens skin all day, Mattifies and eliminates shine and Protects skin from environmental aggressors.”  Whilst I would agree with most of the points, I find it does not mattify my oily skin but still does not make it oilier. For 7 pounds, I think this primer really works well and would for any skin type.

The Benefit Porefessional is much more “high end”, retailing at 25 pounds. “Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. The translucent formula contains a vitamin E derivative known to protect skin from free radicals. It is Oil-free, Complements all skin tones and Helps makeup stay put.” Having oily skin I love this primer, it creates a matte base, fills in large pores yet does not dry my skin out. My foundation looks flawless after applying. The only downside is the extensive price, but it is worth every penny in my opinion!

2.       Setting:

 To again, ensure your makeup lasts perfectly all day, you must set it. The most common way to do this is by powdering, which either can be done by using a brush or beauty sponge. There are two types of powders, loose and pressed. I recommend the Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder and the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent.  I have used the Stay Matte for years and I still love it because of its mattifying and staying power. “Stay Matte feels lightweight.  It glides on smoothly to provide even, natural-looking, long-wearing coverage that effectively conceals imperfections while revealing your natural flawless matte perfection.  And, because it is free of fragrance, oils and parabens and because it won't clog pores, it's great for all skin types.”  Retailing at 4 pound, it’s great quality for the price.

A powder I have recently bought is the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder. After seeing many YouTubers rave about it, I had to splurge (it retails at 29 pounds)! “A silky, lightweight setting powder with sheer coverage for a natural-looking matte finish. This bestselling translucent powder sets your makeup for longer wear. Perfectly for nearly all skintones, the soft-focus effect subtly blurs the look of fine lines and imperfections, and it doesn’t settle into lines or pores. The result is natural-looking and never powdery or cakey.”

 Another way to set makeup is to use a setting spray, these ensure long lasting wear without smudging or creasing. These can come in many different types, such as matte, dewy and hydrating.

  3.       Good tools:

Using good brushes is vital for a good application. A painter uses specific brushes for his art, so why shouldn’t you? A common misconception is that brushes must be expensive, however, as the makeup industry grows, more drugstore brands are releasing their own brushes. Makeup artists invest in lots of brushes to use on their clients, but really there are only a few necessary brushes needed. Brushes either have natural or synthetic bristles, which one you choose is personal preference.

       A foundation brush is critical to applying and blending foundation and sometimes concealer. The most popular types of foundation brush are stippling, kabuki and flat top, again, what you prefer for your skin is down to personal preference. I like a flat top buffing brush to ensure my foundation is seamlessly blended but still full coverage.

·         A beauty sponge is not necessarily crucial but will definitely change your makeup application! These are relatively new to the makeup industry but have taken it by storm. The most well known is the Beauty Blender; however, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is a cheaper dupe.  Before using, dampen your sponge until it expands and squeeze out any excess water, they are best used by bouncing and will flawlessly apply your foundation or any cream product. Another method to using these is to set your face using a powder as they prevent “caking”.

·         A concealer brush can be used to blend out concealer and carve out the eyebrows and messy lipstick for a crisp line.  Personally, I prefer using a foundation brush or beauty sponge to blend my concealer, but a concealer brush is always handy to precisely correct any mistakes.

·         A fluffy powder brush can be either used to set the makeup or apply bronzer to warm up the skin after applying the base.

·         An angled contour brush is used to apply contour which creates an effect of a slimmer face. This can also be used to apply a blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards.

·         Fan brushes are used to apply highlight creating a blinding glow! However, another use is to sweep away any excess powder from under the eyes.

·         When filling in your eyebrows, it is essential they are in shape first, not messy. A spoolie brush combs the hairs into the shape you want. Usually these also come with an angled brow brush on the end to apply a powder or gel to fill the sparse areas in.

·         Flat eye shadow brushes create a pigmented eye shadow application when using either a powder or cream all over the lid.

·         Finally, you will need an eye shadow blending brush to seamlessly blend any eye shadow in the eye crease to avoid harsh lines.  These are usually fluffy so they diffuse colour well.