As I tend to ask classmates, friends, and even family members about topics they’d want advice on, I found that many ask questions about self-care and beauty. As someone very interested in both topics, this month’s column will offer some tips and tricks I have picked up along the way, hopefully helping you all as they have helped me.
My first tip revolves around makeup. Talking to multiple people, many ask how to achieve a makeup routine that efficiently stays on all day and remains looking good too. Makeup has many steps, and caring for your skin’s needs before application is key. As I tend to have combination skin (dry and oily) I like to moisturize with a face cream before my base like the neutrogena hydro boost face cream, if you tend to have dry skin however, I’d recommend the Cerave intense moisturizing lotion as it provides a deeper moisturization, or the daily oil-free hydrating lotion from Cetaphil if you’re looking for hydration without excess oil on the skin. Following that, I suggest dermaplaning your skin or trying face threading. I know it may seem scary because many say your hair will grow back thicker, but in reality, that’s a myth! Try either method on a small area of the face, test, and see if you have any reaction. If not, I’d recommend this step for a seamless application. And finally, my last step before application is sunscreen. Even as the weather becomes colder, the sun’s UV never seems to go away! Protecting your skin is highly important. A simple sunscreen from any brand, like La Roche Posay, Cerave, etc., all provide sufficient protection to keep your skin healthy and thriving before makeup application. With that being said, here are some makeup tips for your base routine!
As I tend to wear a full face of makeup, I truly have worked on mastering my base, and with that comes time and practice. Many struggles I faced centered on my makeup peeling or lifting off my face. It seemed I had tried everything, that is, till I began priming my face. At first, I thought this step was useless, only adding to the products I already needed to use. However, after I saw the benefits that followed using a primer, I can’t seem to do my makeup without this step. I recommend using a pore-filling primer like the Benefit Pore Professional or the Maybelline Master Prime if you find your makeup applies unsmoothly or patchily. These primers work wonderfully to fill in pores, control fine lines, and in all smoothing out texture. I also recommend the Power Grip Primer from ELF if you are looking for a sticky base before applying any liquid product. This primer will help the makeup stick and last on the face.
Now, some game-changing tricks that helped my base stay on through the day include applying your foundation with your fingers. Doing this will warm your products with the heat of your hand and allow them to be spread evenly throughout the face before blending. I also like to bake certain areas of my face that carry fine lines, including my smile lines and frown lines, in order to prevent excess creasing! Another tip, which may seem silly and a bit tedious, is my routine when blending out my concealer. I first blend the product with a concealer brush, then blend once more with a beauty blender or a powder puff to prevent any patchy areas or unwanted extra product that can lead to an unsmooth undereye or excess creasing, finally setting in place with a pressed powder and powder puff. I do these steps as quickly as possible since I look up throughout the whole process. I have found that doing so leads to minimal creasing. So, next time you blend out your concealer, I recommend looking up!
With that being said, those are some tips I have religiously done throughout my makeup routine. I also want to mention makeup is different for all. Things that work for me might not work for everyone; finding products and application tricks for each face varies. Finding a makeup routine is hard, as makeup works and looks different for each face. My biggest tip of all is taking the time to understand your features and face. Understanding your skin and what works for you will allow a makeup routine you enjoy doing and feel confident in. Take tips from all, and use them accordingly to your face, perfect what you like and don’t like. Makeup doesn’t come easy; finding a routine and look takes time. Makeup is all about trial and error.
