It’s not always easy nailing the perfect makeup look. Truth be told, some days I’m lucky to put on mascara without smudging it. The solution for a flawless makeup look might be easier than you think. While I may not be a makeup expert, here are some tips I learned to crushing your makeup:
Most of my mornings are rushed. I’m either scrambling to get ready for school, or hastily preparing to leave for work. As a result, I fly through my makeup routine. It only makes sense for my makeup to be sloppy when I take five minutes to do it. Though some people might roll their eyes at this, I recommend getting an earlier start to your morning. When you allow yourself time to get ready, you’ll actually enjoy the process. You won’t worry about getting to the office on time or if you have lipstick on your teeth. Rewarding yourself with extra time is a form of self-care. You can move about your morning rituals with ease and restfulness, rather than with anxiety. You’ll also have more space to experiment with your makeup look. Before you leave the house, try something new! Maybe it’s a new lipgloss, a new skincare product…whatever it may be, don’t be afraid to test it out.
Speaking from experience, eyeliner is the trickiest part of any makeup look. One wrong move and it’s either smudged or uneven. Before you jump into your eyeliner application, learn how to do it right. Though this isn’t everyone’s go-to way of doing eyeliner, I like to use tape. Tape works well with my unsteady hands, as I’m usually able to make a straight angle with it. Naturally, there are dozens of techniques that might work better for you. Explore all the different options until you find one that sticks. It took me years of practice to perfect my eyeliner, and I think I’ve finally got it down.
Matte or glossy? Simple or vibrant? Before you start your makeup, you should settle on a vibe. Though sometimes it’s fun to mix styles, if you want a structured makeup look, I suggest picking one or the other. Maybe you’re feeling a Euphoria inspired look today. If that’s the case, pull out some colorful eyeliner, glittery highlighter, and gems and/or stickers to decorate with. Pair with a popping shade of lipgloss and you’ve got a makeup look Maddy Perez would envy. If you choose to go simple, stick with neutral tones for your eyeshadow and lipstick.
Some makeup brands are not for me. It took a lot of trial and error before I found the ones that suited me. I, like half of the world population, love Glossier. Seriously, they need to open more stores. Their tagline, “Beauty products inspired by real life,” articulates what I look for in my makeup. I tend to keep my makeup fairly neutral and prioritize healthy, nontoxic ingredients in my products. For the most part, Glossier does a good job promoting clean beauty. Of course, some people might have different priorities when it comes to makeup. If you usually like to do a fun makeup look and are on a budget, I recommend checking out ColorPop Cosmetics. Do some research on brands online or at your local beauty store.
I think this is another one of Glossier’s taglines. I have to agree with it: skincare should always come before makeup. You want you skin to be healthy and happy before you apply any beauty products to it. While some people prefer having a multi-step skincare routine, I like to keep mine short and simple. I start off with Cetaphil, then use my Milky Jelly Cleanser afterwards. I’ll also apply hydrochloric acid before putting on a layer of sunscreen. Makeup can do a lot of damage to your skin, so it’s important to keep it as well nourished as possible. The Ordinary is a reliable and typically inexpensive brand to consider, if you haven’t already.
If you’re not confident in your skills, find makeup looks to try to replicate. Start off simple: look on Pinterest for some basic, everyday makeup ideas you can do on your own. There are a number of step-by-step videos on Pinterest that will walk you through every part of your makeup routine. You can attune your search for specific looks for different complexions and styles. I swear, Pinterest will be your number one tool.
Always use primer. Always. Add primer to the end of your skincare routine, right before you apply your makeup. This will keep your makeup fresh for longer and make your skin look even smoother. If you’re going to use eyeshadow, make sure you have a generous coat of primer on your eyelids. With primer, your eyeshadow still look super pigmented at the end of the day. Primer will also help prevent any fallout, leaving your makeup looking fresh and clean.
It’s impossible to get your makeup to cooperate when your lighting sucks. This is a difficult feat for college students like me, as the low-watt dorm lighting is always unflattering. To resolve the issue of bad lighting, purchase a ring light. Ring lights seem like an excessive tool to implement into your makeup routine, but trust me, they’ll save you from having clownish makeup. If you don’t want a ring light, find a makeup mirror that has built-in lights. These are compact enough to fit in a dorm desk, and they’ll be super helpful for when you’re applying your makeup.
It’s fascinating to see how many unique makeup looks people can make using the same products. Whether you’re a fan of basic or extravagant looks, you do you. You have all the tools you need to create the perfect look.
Feature image source: https://pin.it/5hvskkQ
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