Perhaps you love cosmetics and can contour better than a Kardashian . Or maybe the sea of beauty counters at Bloomingdale’s is frightening and you don’t know the difference between concealer and highlighter. No matter your experience level, there’s always something to learn, right? And when it comes to beauty, we’ve got you covered. So whether you’re a Sephora addict or have never held an eyelash curler, here are some helpful tips and tricks for how to apply makeup like a pro.
how to apply makeup
Moisturizer
First, prep skin with a moisturizer to hydrate skin and help makeup glide on easily. Choose one with a broad spectrum SPF; it's important to never skip your daily sunscreen, no matter how overcast it may be outside.
Bobbi Brown SPF 50 Face Base, $40 at Barneys
Foundation
Apply foundation with your method of choice: sponge, brush or fingers. It's all about preference here, there is no right or wrong vehicle. A little bit goes a long way — too much foundation can look overdone — and make sure to blend the formula in completely, especially at the jawline.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (available January 22), $29 at Bare Escentuals ; Beautyblender Makeup Sponge Applicator Duo, $28.95 at Nordstrom
Concealer
Use concealer only where necessary, like under the eyes and over blemishes. Choosing a shade lighter than your natural coloring is a myth — choose one that matches your skin tone to avoid an unflattering look that will draw more attention to those areas. Apply using your ring finger since it has the lightest touch and pat, don't rub it in.
By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Concealer, $69 at Beauty.com
Bronzer and Highlighter
Using a light hand and a fluffy brush , apply a small amount of bronzer where the sun would normally hit the face: forehead, cheeks, chin. When choosing a bronzer, skip shimmer and orange tones and look for a natural, not-too-dark option that complements your skin tone. Bronzer will warm up your face and is best complemented with a few swipes of highlighter on top of your cheekbones to subtly brighten your face.
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, $52 at Sephora ; Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Touche Éclat, $41 at YSL Beauty
Blush
Think about how flushed your cheeks get after hitting the gym — this is the color you should look for when shopping for a blush. You will also want to use a proper blush brush — the mini one in the compact will not cut it and should be used for emergency purposes only. For a healthy, rosy look, dust blush on the apples of your cheek in a circular and upward motion.
NARS Blush in Orgasm, $30 at Nordstrom
Eyeshadow
Without going overboard, the simplest way to apply eyeshadow is to use a neutral base shade over the lid, a darker complementary color in the crease for contour and blend for a seamless look. To open up the eyes, dab a bit of highlighter on the inner corners of the eyes.
Almay Intense I-Color Shimmer Kit Trio for Browns, $7.49 at Soap.com
Lipstick
Once most of your makeup is in place, pick a lipstick that will pull together the whole look. If you went for an intense eye look , it can be overwhelming to wear a bold lipstick, so choose accordingly. For a more in-depth lipstick application how-to, click here .
Tom Ford Lip Color in Flamingo, $50 at Nordstrom
Eyeliner, Lashes and Mascara
The color and type of eyeliner will depend on the look you're going for, but the rule of thumb is to line along the lash line (avoid lining the inner rims or wearing falsies until you have some experience). Before applying a couple coats of mascara , curl your lashes from root to end — it will help keep them voluminous and full.
Surratt Relevée Lash Curler, $25 at Barneys ; CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom by Lashblast Mascara, $7.99 at Soap.com
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