If you’re getting ready for a classy night out on the town, you’ve probably already thought out your outfit, hairdo and accessories, but what about your makeup? If left till the very last minute, makeup jobs often turn out sloppy or look uncoordinated.
Your makeup can make or break your whole look, and the little things really do matter when it comes to applying your makeup effectively. You could buy the most expensive makeup products in the world, but if you forget the details, they won’t do you any good.
Here are a couple of cheap, yet highly effective makeup tricks to help you create a classy and elegant look for your upcoming night out with the girls.
This is a mistake that many people make, but if you aren’t in the habit of exfoliating on a regular basis and cleansing and moisturizing before applying makeup, you probably aren’t getting the best results.
Exfoliating removes any layers of dry skin and will prevent that dry, scaly look when you apply foundation. However, you shouldn’t to exfoliate every day, as doing so can irritate your skin or damage the surface. Once or twice a week is sufficient to keep your skin smooth and clear.
Cleansing your face right before applying makeup is essential, as any buildup of dirt or grease will cause your makeup job to look uneven and sloppy. The water also relaxes your skin and makes it more flexible.
Once you have cleansed your skin, it is important to moisturize, as water can dry out the skin. Even oily skin needs moisture, and will only produce more oil and clog up the pores if it is left alone. Excess production of oil will also cause your makeup to smudge.
Just be sure to use a moisturizer that is suitable for combination or oily skin.
Vaseline is one of the best products for keeping your lips soft and moisturized, and it just so happens to be one of the cheapest lip moisturizers you can find.
Go easy on the foundation
Applying foundation can be tricky, as too much will cause your makeup job to look heavy and overdone. Another problem is that many people don’t find the right tone to match their skin, which causes their face to look either much darker or much lighter than the rest of their skin.
Avoid an orangey or pale complexion by taking the time to find the right color. Most department stores have makeup assistants who will help you figure out what your skin tone is, but if you can’t find the exact one, you can always blend two different tones together to get the right color.
Too much foundation will give you facial lines and make you look older, so try to use it sparingly and only on the areas that need it. The contours of your eyes, your cheeks and your nose are usually the most in need of foundation, while your forehead and neck don’t need much, if any.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you may need different tones of foundation for winter and summer, as your skin tends to be a bit lighter in the winter. Don’t worry, though, foundation doesn’t have to cost you a fortune; brands like Cover Girl are known for being affordable yet also high quality.
Emphasize your mouth or eyes – never both
While luscious red lips and dramatic eyes are both great looks, together they just look overdone and can make you look artificial or harsh.
When doing dramatic eyes, with lots of eyeliner, smoky eye shadow and mascara, it’s best to keep the lips neutral with a lighter shade of lipstick or even just a lip gloss.
On the other hand if you are trying to emphasize your lips, it’s better to apply eyeliner only to the top eyelid and mascara only to the top lashes. This still gives your eyes definition, but makes your lips the main focus. After all, you don’t want your eyes and lips to be competing with each other.
A light eye shadow is also best if you are using a darker shade of lipstick.
Try false lashes
Ever wonder how celebrities get that fabulous long-lashed look? Contrary to what mascara advertisements would have you believe, no mascara can get you that same look unless you already have unusually thick and long lashes.
False eyelashes don’t have to be obvious, though, and smaller clusters of individual false lashes can give you that glamorous look without being tacky. If you want to save money, you can get regular sets of false lashes and then cut them apart in order to apply them more evenly.
False eyelashes are perfect if you are playing up your eyes, although if you are planning to make your lips the center of attention your own lashes are probably sufficient.
Your makeup can make or break your whole look, and the little things really do matter when it comes to applying your makeup effectively. You could buy the most expensive makeup products in the world, but if you forget the details, they won’t do you any good.
Here are a couple of cheap, yet highly effective makeup tricks to help you create a classy and elegant look for your upcoming night out with the girls.
This is a mistake that many people make, but if you aren’t in the habit of exfoliating on a regular basis and cleansing and moisturizing before applying makeup, you probably aren’t getting the best results.
Exfoliating removes any layers of dry skin and will prevent that dry, scaly look when you apply foundation. However, you shouldn’t to exfoliate every day, as doing so can irritate your skin or damage the surface. Once or twice a week is sufficient to keep your skin smooth and clear.
Cleansing your face right before applying makeup is essential, as any buildup of dirt or grease will cause your makeup job to look uneven and sloppy. The water also relaxes your skin and makes it more flexible.
Once you have cleansed your skin, it is important to moisturize, as water can dry out the skin. Even oily skin needs moisture, and will only produce more oil and clog up the pores if it is left alone. Excess production of oil will also cause your makeup to smudge.
Just be sure to use a moisturizer that is suitable for combination or oily skin.
Vaseline is one of the best products for keeping your lips soft and moisturized, and it just so happens to be one of the cheapest lip moisturizers you can find.
Go easy on the foundation
Applying foundation can be tricky, as too much will cause your makeup job to look heavy and overdone. Another problem is that many people don’t find the right tone to match their skin, which causes their face to look either much darker or much lighter than the rest of their skin.
Avoid an orangey or pale complexion by taking the time to find the right color. Most department stores have makeup assistants who will help you figure out what your skin tone is, but if you can’t find the exact one, you can always blend two different tones together to get the right color.
Too much foundation will give you facial lines and make you look older, so try to use it sparingly and only on the areas that need it. The contours of your eyes, your cheeks and your nose are usually the most in need of foundation, while your forehead and neck don’t need much, if any.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you may need different tones of foundation for winter and summer, as your skin tends to be a bit lighter in the winter. Don’t worry, though, foundation doesn’t have to cost you a fortune; brands like Cover Girl are known for being affordable yet also high quality.
Emphasize your mouth or eyes – never both
While luscious red lips and dramatic eyes are both great looks, together they just look overdone and can make you look artificial or harsh.
When doing dramatic eyes, with lots of eyeliner, smoky eye shadow and mascara, it’s best to keep the lips neutral with a lighter shade of lipstick or even just a lip gloss.
On the other hand if you are trying to emphasize your lips, it’s better to apply eyeliner only to the top eyelid and mascara only to the top lashes. This still gives your eyes definition, but makes your lips the main focus. After all, you don’t want your eyes and lips to be competing with each other.
A light eye shadow is also best if you are using a darker shade of lipstick.
Try false lashes
Ever wonder how celebrities get that fabulous long-lashed look? Contrary to what mascara advertisements would have you believe, no mascara can get you that same look unless you already have unusually thick and long lashes.
False eyelashes don’t have to be obvious, though, and smaller clusters of individual false lashes can give you that glamorous look without being tacky. If you want to save money, you can get regular sets of false lashes and then cut them apart in order to apply them more evenly.
False eyelashes are perfect if you are playing up your eyes, although if you are planning to make your lips the center of attention your own lashes are probably sufficient.
