There are some makeup tricks every woman should know, like always wetting your sponge before you apply foundation to improve blending, or knowing when to use a setting spray.
Unfortunately, we don’t always get a full list of the best makeup hacks from the moment we start playing with cosmetics.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend hours listening to professional makeup artists to upgrade your makeup routine and get smoother skin. Today, we’re going to share some of our favourite, tried-and-tested strategies for applying makeup like a pro.
Here’s your complete guide to the makeup tricks every woman should know.
First, apply your foundation before you set in with concealer. Use a slightly damp sponge to blend the foundation onto your skin, making sure you use a product made for your skin type. Starting with a layer of foundation is a great way to minimize discolouration and redness.
Once you’ve covered all the main areas, you can then apply concealer to cover up any zits or residual redness. When you apply concealer, be careful not to add too much, or you’ll risk creasing and caking.
Mascara, like all makeup products, won’t last forever. However, you can revive your mascara every week or so with a little saline solution. A drop of saline will help to get your mascara back to its smooth consistency. Just don’t expect this trick to last forever.
Want a heated eyelash curler without the expense? Use your blow dryer to heat up the metallic parts just a little. All you need to do is get it just warm enough to add a little extra curling power to your lashes and you’re good to go. Make sure you test the heat on your arm, so you don’t burn yourself. A hairdryer and some hot air are really all you need for curled lashes.
Sick of not getting the bold and voluminous look you want from your lashes? Dab a little translucent powder on your lashes between coats of mascara. This powder will help to grip the extra mascara between coats so you can get a thicker finish.
If you have a habit of making a mess with your eyelash glue, and often end up with clumpy fake lashes, try using the tip of a clean bobby pin instead. Just add a few dots of glue to the band and spread it out evenly. Wait a few seconds for the glue to get tacky before you start applying.
We all hate it when our lipstick doesn’t go on smooth. So why not make the most of your lip shade by exfoliating your lips first? A little bit of lip scrub will get rid of the dry skin that would otherwise cling to your lips and make it harder to get the perfect smooth finish. Keep in mind you only need to do this once a week to get the right results – don’t rub your lips raw.
Once you’ve got the perfect pout, you want to last as long as possible. To get a longer-lasting lip colour, swipe on your preferred shade lay a tissue over your mouth, and then dust the powder over the top to set the colour. This will stop you from having to reapply all the time!
Want to make your lip colour really pop? Make sure you get the most out of the shape of your lips by defining your cupid’s bow with an X. You’ll need a lip liner in the same shape as your lipstick to do this effectively. Fill in the lower three sections of the X with your lipstick and continue applying as normal. For a great look.
If you’re still lining under your eyes with concealer or using dots of colour for the under-eye area, then you’re missing out. Brighten your under-eye by applying the colour in a triangle shape instead. Draw the triangle base just under your lower lash line, with the tip of the arrow pointing towards the apple of your cheek to conceal redness.
So many women avoid blush because they don’t know how to apply it properly, but it can look fantastic if you’ve got a smooth base for your makeup. Use a couple of sweeps of cream or powder blush across the high points of your face for a brighter, more youthful finish.
Always use a primer before you apply concealer and foundation to get the most out of your skin. Primer helps to smooth out the unwanted bumps and textures in your skin which might draw extra attention by clinging to the foundation. Apply your primer a few minutes after moisturizer for the perfect finish.
Creamy makeup products naturally blend better when they’re a little warmed up. If your kohl eyeliner pencil isn’t gliding over your eyelid it should try melting it slightly to get the best results. Make sure you let the eye pencil cool slightly before you apply it to your skin.
If you’re looking for a few tips to make your eyeshadow look even more impressive, start with a white liner. A white eyeliner pencil over your eyelid will give you a fantastic base for your colour to really stand out. This is the perfect way to get an intense shade.
Struggling with the perfect winged liner look? Draw the outline of the shape you want to create with your pencil first, then fill it in. Start by extending a line from the lower lash line to create the bottom, then decide how thick you want the finish to be. You can also use a bit of clear tape to help you get a straight line from your bottom lash line.
If outlining your eyes simply doesn’t work for you, don’t worry, you can still get the perfect cat-eye. Use the stem of a spoon against the corner of your eye to draw a straight line to start with. After that, flip the spoon so the curved part is over your eyelid, and use the rounded edge to create the wing.
It’s sometimes difficult to know how much eye shadow you should use when you’re creating a smoky eye. If you want to keep things simple, use a creamy eyeliner to create a slanted “hashtag” symbol on the outer portion of your eyelid. Blend the colour with a smudging brush. This should stop you from going too crazy with your eye pencil.
Everyone has a different shape face, so you can’t always trust that your bronzer will look best in the same place as your bestie applies hers. To make sure you’re doing your contouring correctly, use a pencil or makeup brush handle under your cheekbone to find the best angle for your face.
Bonus tip, add a small amount of eyebrow pencil on the areas where you want to apply your contour to stop you from going uneven from one side to another. Brow gel pencils are also great for smudging.
If you want to get rid of dark circles and spots, it’s important to know how different concealers work with your skin tone. When applying makeup over dark circles, stick to pinkish colours for your concealer. When you’re covering red areas, look for greenish options.
Pencil thin brows just aren’t in anymore. Start by brushing your eyebrows with a spoolie, so you know the hairs are sitting naturally. Once you’re ready, use a soft and waxy brow pencil to fill the outside of your brow with the thin side. Using the flat angle for the pencil, you can fill in the brows using hair-like strokes. Blend some highlighter just beneath the brow bone for a lift.
This is one of our favorite makeup tips and tricks. Matching your lip color with your cheeks will create a more natural appearance. You can even turn your favorite lip color into a cream blush with a little bit of moisturizer and dabbing on the back of your hand. Use a cotton ball to remove the excess after you achieve your natural look.
If you’re looking for a way to reduce oil without doubling up on concealer and foundation, try using a skin cleanser to remove excess oil before you start applying your makeup. You can also get dabbing sheets to remove oil, or use an unused toilet seat cover for the same results.
Get the most out of your lips with a little lip liner. For a fuller pout, follow your natural lip line with your lip liner, just going the tiniest bit over to create a larger appearance of plumpness. You can also add a little lipstick colour in a lighter shade in the middle of your lower lip for depth.
If you’re worried your foundation and concealer don’t look natural, try achieving a lighter coverage level with argan oil. Just add a drop or two of the oil to your foundation before applying, and you should end up with a beautiful, light formula that glides perfectly onto your skin. The oil also helps to make your skin glow.
Filling in your eyebrows can be an important way to finish off your makeup look and make your cate eye eyeliner stand out. However, it’s important not to go too far. Try going a shade lighter than your natural eyebrows to get a more natural appearance.
Setting spray is probably one of the most important tools you have when applying makeup. It ensures everything from your eye makeup, to your contour powder will stay in place for as long as possible Simply spray with an X or T motion over your face when you’re done to keep your makeup looking great.
If you really want to make your eyeshadow pop and your eyes look great, you’ll need more than just false lashes – you also need multiple eyeliners. Use a dark colour for the top of your eye, to draw your wing from the outer corners of the lid. On the inner corners of your eyes, use a little light coloured eyeshadow to make your eye shape look amazing, then add a slightly lighter shade of eyeliner to the lower lash line.
Adding primer to your skin before applying foundation and concealer is one of the best ways to make sure your makeup lasts longer. Another of the top makeup tips you can use when applying primer is to add it to your lips. This can help your lipstick last longer than it would on its own.
Don’t have time for a full contour? No problem, just create the shape of a three on either side of your face using your bronzer. The middle part of the number should come in just under your natural cheekbone, while the top and bottom go at the top of your forehead and around your jawline.
Applying makeup is always easier when you have the right tools. Make sure you're following these makeup tips with the right mirror to guide you. You’ll need something that’s easy to angle according to your needs. It’s also worth looking into magnifying mirrors and mirrors with built-in lights if you want an even better result.
Speaking of getting the most out of your makeup tools, don’t underestimate the power of properly caring for your accessories. Clean your brushes and sponges regularly to make sure they’re not applying bacteria back onto your skin.
While not everyone is an absolute makeup pro, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the most out of your cosmetics. With the tips above, you can upgrade your look, and ensure you’re achieving the ultimate natural result every time.
For the best guide on how to draw hair by Biowars