You know how you have those certain pieces in your wardrobe that are your "go-to" items- that you feel confident and comfortable no matter what? Well having a few looks down-pat in your beauty arsenal can have the same effect. One thing I always say is that practice makes perfect- so give yourself enough time to practice the look beforehand. Half the battle with makeup is finding products that work for you and your skin type. Look for products that are easy to apply, and have staying power. If it's easy to use, you will likely use it more often. Also, if you are going to spend the time, make sure your product delivers.
Eyes:
Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Lionfish
A waterproof pencil is a quick and easy way to achieve this look. These are also great for rimming the water line. Brown is softer than black, and works from day to night. Coppers and bronzes are great colours to start with if you are new to makeup. Creating a smudgy look is also great for the newbie, because it doesn't have to look perfect.
Waterproof The Falsies Mascara by Maybelline
Clinique High Impact Mascara
Voluminous by L'oreal
A great mascara will give you the false lash effect. Hold the brush against the root of the lashes for 3 seconds, then wiggle upwards, slowly. Let the wand do the work, coating each lash.
MAC Brow pencil in lingering- almost everyone
MAC Omega Eyeshadow- blondes, redheads and some brunettes
This brow pencil works for almost all brow colours. When you do your brows, always use the gentlest hand when applying. Your brows should always look natural, follow your natural shape. Omega is an amazing powder that will never make your brows look overdone- no angry face here!
Face:
Revlon Colourstay Foundation
MAC Face & Body
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
These 3 foundations are great places to start if you are a foundation novice. I included a drugstore, mid-range and high end option. Really, this is where your makeup budget should be going- about 50%. Beautiful, even and glowing skin is and will always be on trend. Higher end foundations tend to have a larger colour range. Always ask for a sample before buying, that way you can see if you have any allergic reactions to it.
Kate has a full coverage foundation on, which might not be your cup of tea. Start with a very small amount, and build in the areas you need more coverage.
Brightening: Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer
Correcting: MAC Studio Fix Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
I don't wear concealer every day, but for some, it is a must. If you like concealer, have 2 in your arsenal, one for brightening, and one for correction. Correcting concealers are matte and very opaque, like Laura Mercier. Her Secret Camouflage comes in a great mirrored compact with two colours. A great product. They should be long lasting and used very sparingly- if you are using concealer all over, you need to switch to a fuller coverage foundation, or bite the bullet and invest in a foundation. Brightening concealers are for under the eyes, down the centre the nose, the chin- anywhere that needs a pick-me-up. These concealers, like Rimmel, and even your Touch Eclat are highlighters. You use them to highlight the skin- you do not use these on blemishes or on top of fine lines- because you do not want to highlight these areas. Don't highlight your crows feet.
Make Up For Ever HD Powder
MAC Mineral Skin Finish
These are hands down in most make up artists kits, and there is a simple reason. They look beautiful on the skin, and do not look like powder. Powder is used to set wet makeup (foundation, concealer, cream blush). Powder foundations are the devil, in my opinion. There is nothing natural looking about the powdery finish that is left on the skin with most of these "powder-foundation" products.
NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo
Rimmel Matte Bronzer
L'oreal Visible Lift Blush
Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush
If you like a 2 in 1, I would go for the NARS duos. It is on the pricy side, but their orgasm and laguna shades are flattering any time during the year. They will never fail you. A great blush with some shimmer is the L'oreal Visible Lift, I use this all the time. Kate has more of a matte blush on, but I think more of a sheen on the cheeks looks more vibrant and youthful. It's up to you. If you have dry skin, opt for a cream.
**Lips are last, but we have clocked in at about 8 products or so so far. Don't be scared/discouraged! It's not how many products you use but how you use them. Hopefully you have a mascara, foundation and a blush already that you love. These products are very versatile and will last a long time. It is an investment, but totally worth it.
Lips
Clinique Chubby Sticks
Revlon Colourburst Lip Crayons
Kate goes for a pinky nude lip, and she is right to do so. Your lip colour but better is a great go-to colour. Don't think that you have to match someone else's nude lip- the perfect nude is the nude that is right for you. Nude means neutral. Neutral looks great and is wearable- that's the goal.
Last but not least- tools- tools just help you go the distance. An eye lash curler is your best friend, learn how to use it, and do it every day. Next you will need some brushes. Invest in quality over quantity. MAC, Eco tools and Real techniques are great. Stila makes amazing dual sided brushes. Last but not least, q-tips. Great for smudging, blending and cleaning your makeup. Also great to use instead of fingers to keep things hygienic. A gentle, but effective makeup remover. Lancome, Chanel and Bioderma are tops.
Take-aways:
Having the tools you need is important. Like shopping, buying a cheapy, random top will not help you go the distance with your wardrobe.Shopping smart and buying a look, with a few of your own staples, is the best use of your time and money. Makeup is the same. Take some time and choose 3 looks that you would like to have in your beauty arsenal. For most, this would be a natural quick day look, a smokey eye, and a special event look. Look at what you already have in terms of makeup. You will probably not need to buy that much. Don't be fooled by trends or sparkly packaging- save that for birthday gifts. Go for the products that are easy to apply, with the right tools.Practice makes perfect, so allow yourself enough time to practice until you can get it right every time.
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