Beginner's Guide to Makeup Application

It's easier than it seems to get that amazing makeup look, even for beginners! All you need is a makeup kit with the essentials, a little bit of direction, and some practice. With a little time, even dramatic looks will be a breeze! Check out this beginner's guide to have your makeup looking chic. Get ready for a crash course in makeup application. You'll be a pro in no time!

Prepping Your Skin

You always want to begin with a clean face. It gives your face a smooth canvas for an even finish. We can't stress this enough: Moisturizer should be used no matter your skin type. Without it, foundation and concealer can look heavy and gravitate to any dry spots, creating a caked on look. Next, apply a makeup primer in sheer layers over the forehead, cheeks, and chin. This will blur pores and mattify areas that are usually the oiliest.

Grab Foundation and Apply

Foundation should always be applied before concealer. It gives an overall flawless finish with better blending. Dab a few dots of foundation on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Start with a small amount and build as needed. The easiest way to blend for beginners is to use a foundation brush, but some beginners prefer to use a makeup sponge.

Apply Your Concealer

Grab your concealer and focus on areas like your under eyes, around the nose, dark spots, and blemishes. When blending in concealer, always dab, never drag. Dragging creates a caked-on look. To dab and blend, use your finger, a concealer brush, or sponge. When applying concealer under your eyes, draw an inverted triangle and lightly dab until it's blended. You've instantly concealed and brightened your face!

Create Dimension with Contouring

Contouring adds dimension to your face. Powder contour palettes are ideal for beginners. Use an angled brush to contour the cheekbones, jawline, hairline, and sides of the nose with the darker shade. With the lighter shade, apply to the middle of your forehead, above the cheekbones, and down the bridge of the nose. Take a foundation brush and blend. Afterwards, use a fluffy brush to run over your face with a slight bit of bronzer to bring more color back into your skin. You'll be shocked at the difference it makes in pictures and in person!

Add Blush for a Pop of Color

Select a hue that compliments your natural undertone. Wearing more earth tones? Go for an earthy color that compliments you. When wearing other colors, use a hue that compliments your skin's undertones as well. Tap your blush brush before applying to remove any excess. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and sweep diagonally upward towards the hairline of your cheeks. Blend in a circular motion for a natural-looking flush.

Time for Eye Shadow

Before you begin, figure out what look you're looking to achieve. For example, you can go for a more natural, daytime look or maybe a smoky eye to add some drama. Prime your eyelids for the best result by using an eye shadow primer or even a couple of dots of concealer. Next, choose one light color and one darker color. Apply the lighter color over the entire lid for better blending results.

Apply the darker shade to the outer crease of your eyelid with your eye open. This way you can make sure it's visible when your eyes are open. Blend the two colors with a longer-haired makeup brush, using your crease to guide your shape. Be careful not to over-blend! Blending is only meant to soften the darker shade and create a smooth transition between the colors. If it begins to look uneven, it is over-blended and can be fixed by starting over, covering the lid with the lighter color once more. If this sounds like too much to start, simple works, too. Opt for a cream-based shadow or use one color and blend over entire eyelid.

Making Your Eyes Pop with Liner

Eyeliner gives us a way to be really creative. Many people find they feel more comfortable with an eyeliner pencil at first, moving on to liquid liner after a little practice. It's best to steer clear of the waterproof for now. All you need to do is pull your eyelid taut and draw a line down at the lash line. Either stop at the end of your lashes or extend it outward for a fun cat-eye effect. For longer wear, take an angled eyeliner brush and run over your eyeliner with black eye shadow.

Lashes for Days - Top Lashes

Taking time on your lashes has a huge payoff. It all starts with the way you open your mascara tube. Twist the wand out of the tube to avoid clumpy lashes. Wipe any excess from the end of the wand. Keep a q-tip and some makeup remover nearby for any smudges. Always avoid pumping your mascara. This dries it out quickly and causes spider lashes.

Slightly close eyelids and slowly brush the mascara wand from base to tip on the top side of your lashes. Next, you'll look forward and gently brush on mascara underneath from root to tip. Slightly wiggle the wand back and forth as you brush upward for more uniformity. Coating both sides of your lashes gives a darker, more voluminous effect. Be careful not to let one layer dry before applying the next or you may end up with brittle, clumpy lashes.

Next, you'll use your wand both horizontally and vertically for the best effect. To begin, tackle the middle lashes first. Look forward and place the wand at the base of your lashes. Slowly glide upwards. It may not be as fast as a quick swipe, but the results are amazing when it comes to evenly distributed mascara. Do a couple of coats, first horizontally, then turn the wand vertically and apply from root to tip to get any lashes you may have missed. When applying mascara vertically, move in a windshield wiper motion along the root of your lashes. Now it's time to move on to the inner and outer lashes. Turning the wand vertically, look to the opposite side of the lashes you're working on, and use the tip of the applicator to coat the inner and outer lashes from base to tip. Doing this horizontally can often result in smudging.

To get rid of any accidental clumping, you can separate the lashes by brushing at a diagonal, downward angle and gently sweep across so the bristles will hit the tips of your upper lashes. Remember not to refresh it midday unless you want to risk spider lashes.

Bottom Lashes

Delicately use the wand to individually get the bottom lashes. This cuts down on smudging. It may seem tedious, but what a payoff! Don't forget you can just apply a small amount of remover with a q-tip if you have any accidental smudging. Try not to use too much or you'll end up with smudges underneath.

Conclusion

With this guide, you'll be able to create showstopping makeup in no time. Just gather the essentials and you're on your way to a total transformation. With these expert tips and a little practice, you’ll be ready to take your makeup routine to the next level. Just channel your creativity and find the look that makes you feel the most confident. When you feel more comfortable creating your everyday makeup routine, it'll be time to try new things and take things up a notch. Before you know it, you'll be creating all kinds of looks that make you feel your best!

10 Beauty Hacks We Love!

If there's one thing we all love, it's a great beauty hack! Luckily, we have 10 amazing tricks to make your beauty routine easier. You may even find you've improved some of your makeup skills with these tips and tricks! It's time to step up your makeup game and save a little time in the process!

1. Foundation Under Concealer

It seems natural to apply concealer before foundation, but what if we told you that wasn't the best way? Foundation first makes for a smoother canvas while creating an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration, and blemishes. Not only will you use less product, but you'll also prevent any creasing or caking. Amazing!

2. Melt Eyeliner Pencil

Wish your eyeliner pencil could stay put a little longer? No problem! Creamy products tend to stay put longer, especially when warm, so why not create a creamy consistency with your pencil? Melt it down slightly with a lighter for a couple of seconds until tacky. Let it cool for a few seconds, then apply. It will lock it in place and give you that perfect look all day!

3. Make Your Eye Shadow Pop with White Eyeliner Underneath

Wish some of those eye shadows would look the same on your eyes as they do on the palette instead of a more sheer look? Many times they appear more sheer when applied, but there's a hack for that! First, blend all parts of the lid where you plan to place the eye shadow with white liner. Apply the eye shadow color you're looking to give a good pop of color to, and boom! You'll be shocked at the new shades you can make!

4. Plump Up Lashes with Setting Powder

Give those lashes an extra pop with a little setting powder! Start with bare lashes and use an eyelash curler to start. Next, apply the first coat of mascara from root to tip. Next, using a fluffy eye shadow brush, apply a light coat of translucent powder to your lashes. Don't use too much or you may cause clumping. Finish it off with another coat of mascara to cover the powder. Voila! Time to rock those lashes that look like you put on your falsies.

5. Apply Eyelash Glue with a Bobby Pin

False lashes can be difficult to apply no matter how long you've been using them. No more glue mishaps like spitting onto the lash! Using a bobby pin allows you to apply just the right amount. Carefully apply a few dots along the falsie lash band and distribute evenly. Wait 30 seconds for glue to become tacky and pop on those perfectly placed lashes!

6. Revive Mascara with Saline Solution

Not ready to throw out that amazing tube of mascara that's gotten a bit dry? No problem! Adding around three drops of saline solution (such as contact solution) can totally revive it and bring back that smooth consistency. Keep in mind that while this trick may be able to bring any mascara back to life, always replace your mascara after three months. Unseen bacteria grows inside the tube and can cause issues with your eyes.

7. Make a Smoky Eye with a Hashtag

This is a quick trick to get a great smoky eye. Use an eye shadow stick or kohl liner to draw a slanted hashtag inwards, up and away from the outer corner of the eye until you reach the crease. This is about 1/3 of your eyelid. Next, blend the hashtag with a short, dense eye shadow brush, sponge, or smudging blush. To get a more intense smoky eye, repeat the process to darken it if needed. This gives eyes a symmetrical look with a smoky eye to die for!

8. Conceal Dark Circles with Triangle Concealer

So many of us out there struggle with covering up dark circles. Luckily, we've come across this amazing makeup hack that puts our old methods to shame! Stop dotting your concealer under your eyes, because this triangle method will blow you away. Draw the base of the triangle directly under lash line and the tip of the triangle is toward the apple of your cheek. This conceals shadows and redness to give the illusion of bright under eyes. It's absolutely life changing!

9. Set Your Lip Color with Powder

With one quick little step, you can prolong that amazing lip color. Swipe on your lip shade and press a tissue up against your lips. On top of the tissue, dust translucent powder over the top of your lips. This will stop your color from smudging, budging, or bleeding. Don't skip the tissue, because the powder can actually change the hue of your lip color. The tissue protects from dulling or lightening the color.

10. Perfectly Shaped Winged Liner

First, keep your eyes open and relaxed while applying. Widening eyes changes the appearance when relaxed. Gently take an eyeliner pencil and draw the shape you're going for so you can easily fix any mistakes, beginning under the tail of your brow sweeping to the inner corner of your eye. Once the initial shape is finished, create precise edges with a little concealer or a pointed cotton swab dipped in a little bit of micellar water. On the other eye, use the first as a guide for the placement. Now that you've created your nice, clean shape, the hard part is done! Run over the pencil-drawn shape with your liquid liner. Boom! There's your perfectly shaped, long-lasting liner!

Picking the Right Hairbrush for Your Style

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to get close to the style you leave the salon with when you do it yourself? Your hairbrush may be partly to blame. Hairbrushes are actually the unsung heroes of a flawless 'do. Every type has a purpose, so let's explore how to pick the right brush. It may seem impossible to choose, but we've got the answers for you!

Thermal Brush

Want to look like you've got a fresh salon blowout? Thermals are designed to create smooth body and volume. The barrels speed up drying, hold heat, and regulate temperature to prevent heat damage. The vented barrel helps with heat dispersion and avoids tangles, with the added benefit of reducing frizz or static buildup. Smaller barrels are great for curls, while larger barrels are great for bouncy volume or subtle waves. They're a must-have for people that frequently use a hairdryer. They'll step up your whole blowout game!

Vented Brush

These handy little brushes are great for any hair type. You'd be surprised how much you'll love it! Not only does it speed up drying time due to the vented back, but the heat can reach all angles, which prevents additional heat damage. It's also the brush of choice for stylists when brushing freshly curled hair after it has cooled down. Whether you choose a curved or paddle style brush, you can't go wrong.

Curved Brush

These brushes are great for evenly distributing your hair's natural oil. They cut down on drying time, and we all love that! It grabs more hair at one time than another type of brush would, pulling it more consistently into place. The curved design shapes easily to your scalp and head. They're great for detangling, styling, blow drying, and blowout touch-ups. These are also a must-have for those of us rocking hand-tied extensions.

Boar Bristle Brush

A good boar bristle brush can change the game up. They polish the hair by distributing the hair's natural oils from root to tip and lessen breakage during styling. It creates a shine by closing the cuticle. These are great for everyone, but they're a must-have for styling curly or fine hair. These are very gentle on your scalp and tresses. A thinner boar bristle brush is also great for teasing to add volume at the root. One of the biggest benefits is that they remove dead strands, leaving you with healthier hair.

Paddle Brush

Paddle brushes are great for everyone! It’s a must-have in any hair care routine, but it's a particularly good option for long, thick, or naturally straight hair. It's perfect for detangling, smoothing, and polishing. This makes them even more valuable in winter! Those oversized sweaters are amazing, but the static often means your hair just won't behave. A paddle brush is the answer! To smooth hair most effectively, use when drying your hair. Begin drying your hair with the brush needed for your desired effect until your hair is about 80-90% dry, then finish it off with a paddle brush. This will keep your locks looking silky smooth.

Wide-Toothed Comb

Everyone needs a good wide-toothed comb in their beauty kit. It can tackle almost anything! They're great for everything from loosening curls after setting to distributing your conditioner or hair mask in the shower. The thick teeth and wide gaps get out knots with ease. They're great for separation on dry hair. These are an absolute must-have for thick or curly hair. People with a lot of hair will breathe sighs of relief once they try this game-changer. It allows the hair to easily flow through and give you a seamless finish.

Detangling Brush

Detangling brushes are designed to be used on wet or dry hair, and even while you're in the shower! The flexible bristles remove knots and tangles without breakage. This brush is great for everyone, but if you have textured or curly hair, this is definitely a brush for you. You can rest assured that your hair won't pull, tug, or snag. The widely spaced bristles unlock knots like magic! Make sure to detangle from the ends and work your way up to get the best result.

Now that you have the complete guide to hairbrushes, you can live your best life! Say goodbye to bad hair days and hello to your new flawless style. Who says you can't have a DIY salon-style 'do at home? Your selfie-ready hair is right around the corner. Follow this hairbrush guide and you'll be rocking that perfect style in no time!