Applying makeup in a flattering way can often be a daunting task. With so many shades and brands of makeup, it can be difficult to know the best way to put it all on to create a beautiful look. As a general rule, less makeup should be worn during the day, and at night you can go for more dramatic and sophisticated looks.
For day, many women skip foundation if their skin is clear and mostly free of imperfections. Concealer can be used under the eyes, over a blemish or two, and on the eyelid as a primer for eye shadow. Follow up with a dusting of face powder over the entire face to reduce shine. After face powder, blush or bronzer can be applied to give your skin a natural-looking glow.
Apply bronzer where the sun naturally hits your face, such as cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. If you opt for blush, apply it at the cheekbones, sweeping upward to the temples. Eye shadow should be toned down for day, if worn at all. Neutral colors such as taupe and brown should be used. To define the eye, apply a lighter shadow over the eyelid, then sweep a darker color in the crease of the eyelid to enhance the eyes.
Eyeliner should be drawn on in a thin line to subtly define the eyes. Mascara is a great product for any time of day. Curl Lashes using an eyelash curler and apply one to two coats of mascara for longer and fuller lashes. Lip color should be more subtle for day. A nude or pink lip color or gloss is enough for daytime.
For evening looks, foundation can start off your makeup routine. Apply foundation to entire face and concealer to areas that need more coverage, such as under eyes or on a blemish. Finish with powder and blush or bronzer in the same way as you would for day. Eye makeup can be more dramatic, with thicker eyeliner or darker eye shadow colors, such as charcoal or jewel tones.
However, it is important to keep in mind that if your eye makeup is more dramatic, your lips should be neutral in color. A nude lip color or clear gloss complements dark eye makeup. If you choose to use a bold lip color like red, the eye makeup should be neutral. Makeup should complement the face, not compete for attention.
Credit: by Jamie Jensen
