It’s even more important to make sure your face is clean at the end of the day. Always be sure to remove your makeup before you go to bed. Leaving it on overnight can clog your pores and cause acne. Many dermatologists recommend using disposable exfoliating wipes to remove makeup. [1] X Research source
If you’ll be wearing eyeliner or eyeshadow, add some primer to your eyelids and the space underneath your eyebrows. General makeup primer usually works fine in these areas. However, more gentle primers designed especially for eyelids are also available. [3] X Research source
Finding the right foundation can be a challenge. You want one that best matches your natural skin tone. If your skin is prone to irritation, you’ll need to look for foundations that are advertised as “gentle” and “for sensitive skin. " Additionally, quality foundation is expensive, so you may not be able to afford trial and error. When choosing a new foundation, try talking to beauticians at a makeup counter in a department store or cosmetics shop. They will most likely offer to do your makeup for free. They’ll pick out the perfect shade to match your skin tone, and you can get an idea of how different products feel on your skin. Don’t feel obligated to buy anything that day.
For liquid or cream foundations, start by adding a very small dollop close to the center of your face (such as the side of your nose) and apply it outward. You may use your fingertips, a foundation brush, or a makeup sponge. Add more as needed. Don’t massage the foundation into your skin. Instead, use light, stroking movements as if you were painting on a canvas. [4] X Research source Most solid foundations come as a tube or stick. For these, you can either use your fingers to pick up some product and apply as you would a liquid, or you can use the stick directly on your skin. Applying directly from the stick to your skin will give you better coverage but will result in a thicker layer. No matter which type of foundation you use, it’s important to blend your makeup well to make it look natural. Use small circular motions with your applicator of choice until it looks seamless on your skin.
Choose a concealer the same way you would a foundation. Unlike foundation, however, it’s good to pick a concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Because it doesn’t have to be exact, testing concealer on your hand can help you narrow down your choices.
As with other types of makeup, there are certain things to keep in mind when picking a bronzer or a blush. For bronzer, choose a relatively neutral shade that is just a little darker than your natural skin tone. For blush, try to match the color your skin turns when it’s flushed. For lighter skin tones, go for pinks and peaches. Good blush colors for medium skin are a muted mauve, rose, apricot, or berry. On dark skin, dramatic colors like raisin, brick red, and bright tangerine work best. They may seem too bold for an everyday makeup, but these colors will end up looking subtle and neutral when applied to darker skin tones. Some people use bronzer to contour their cheekbones. If you’re going this route, you’ll need at least two shades of bronzer: one a little lighter than your natural skin color and one a little darker. Use a clean makeup brush to add the lighter shade first to your cheekbones. Then follow up with the darker shade underneath. Use a brush to blend both together with the rest of your makeup for a natural look.
The natural look. With this look, many people won’t even notice you’re wearing eye makeup. Pick colors that are close to your skin tone. Use a neutral eyeshadow palette made up of peaches, olives, tans, and/or browns. The smoky look. For smoky eyes, you’ll definitely look like you’re wearing makeup. However, this is a very popular look right now with many people incorporating it into their everyday makeup. Use a palette of dark grays and charcoals. Avoid true black eyeshadow, as it’s difficult to create depth when working with black. [7] X Research source The colorful look. For this, anything goes. Pick your favorite color or one that compliments your eyes. For shadows, use either a darker version of this color or a smoky charcoal.
Begin by marking your lashline. Start from the outside corner of your eye and work inwards towards your nose. [9] X Research source Even out the line with the smudging tool on the other side of your eyeliner. Simply go back over the pigment until you have one continuous, gapless line of dark color. If your eyeliner doesn’t have a smudger, use a cotton swab instead. [10] X Research source Many people apply eyeliner to just their upper lid. However, if you choose to do both lids, make sure the liner connects at the outer corners of your eyes. [11] X Research source
Regardless, you should add your lip color last when all of your other makeup has dried. Bring your product with you in case you need to refresh it later in the day. Many people simply apply their lip color of choice and blot their lips. However, there are a few tricks you can use to make application easier and look more professional. Start by adding foundation or lip balm to your lips to act as a primer for your lip color. Sketch out your lip line with a neutral pencil before adding your color. This will help you define your lips and avoid sloppy application. [13] X Research source
