Beauty & Make-Up Tips

Makeup Tips

Once you learn the basics, applying makeup isn’t as daunting as it seems when you’re standing in the midst of a makeup aisle. There are many tried-and-true tips and tricks that the experts know and we’re sharing with you. Get these basics down, and you’ll perfect a daytime and nighttime look.

Eyes

Your eyes are what people usually first notice about your appearance. Find out how to apply eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara with these expert tips and tricks.

How to apply maskara?

We’ve compiled a list of great mascara tips & tricks to share with you. Follow these and you’ll save money, look prettier and your eyes will appear brighter and wider.

Tip #1: How to use a lash comb. For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they’re a great invention and keep lashes glob-free and perfectly separated. So how to use? Apply mascara at the lash base. Then wiggle the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes. Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumbs without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.
Tip #2: Try a clean mascara wand. Sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they’re wet. Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy them. When you finish a mascara, clean the wand in a capful of eye makeup remover, then wash with soap and dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you wash your makeup tools.
Tip #3: Don’t shy away from colored mascara. Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but can be harsh on blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day and reserve black for night. Blue mascara, however, can brighten blue eyes while purple mascara makes brown eyes pop.
Tip #4: When applying mascara, wiggle the wand at the base of the lashes. It’s the mascara placed near the roots (not the tips) that gives the illusion of length.
Tip #5: Thin, short brushes are best. A thinner brush allows you to get into the corner of eyes. Short brushes give you more control.
Tip #6: Give a few coats to the edges by blinking. Blink onto the brush to give ends an extra coat.
Tip #7: Powder under the eye before applying mascara. Sometimes mascara smudges because it’s attracted to oily concealer or eye creams.
Tip #8: Use an eyelash curler Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider and brighter. Shoot warm air from your blowdryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it’s not too hot. It’s a myth that you have to curl lashes before you apply mascara. You can curl lashes after mascara application, just make sure the mascara is dry first.
Tip #9: Zig-zag the wand. Zig-zagging the wand back and forth during application helps cut down clumps.
Tip #10: For a dramatic look, apply mascara only to the upper lashes. To make eyes seem wider, apply to the bottom, too. But make sure you give lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.
Tip #11: Use a mascara primer. Primers coat lashes and separate them before you apply mascara. Makeup artists swear by mascara primer. I tried it and like it, but because it’s an added step, I usually use primer only on special occasion when I spend more time on my makeup.
Tip #12: Want that 2nd coat? Just make sure to do it before the first coat dries, otherwise you’ll get clumps.
Tip #13: Do NOT pump wand in and out of the tube. This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.
Tip #14: Another smudge-proof tip — bend the wand. A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.
Tip #15: Wait five seconds before blinking. You don’t want to paint your lids, do you?

How to apply eyeshadow?

Secret #1: Blending is key

Use three different colors: The base, usually a very light taupe, a highlighter for the crease and a main color for the lid, but how to get them to look as if they merge into each other like the colors of a rainbow? My secret: Start light then go darker. Brush the base color, apply the lid color and THEN apply the highlighter. Also, don’t be too heavy-handed or you’ll have to start over. Extra tip: Practice makes perfect. Play with your makeup a few days before a big event.

Secret #2: Choose shadows that make the color of your eyes pop

Gone are the days when beauty experts advised against blue shadow. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings the color out (think blue shadow on blue eyes). At the same time, contrasting colors make eyes pop too (think a deep jeweled blue shadow on deep brown eyes).

Secret #3: Never cover your browbone with deep color — unless you’re doing a cover shoot for Vogue

You don’t want the drama too much shadow brings. Apply shadow up to the browbone but don’t apply shadow ON the bone unless it’s a neutral color or a highlighter.

Secret #4: Highlighter can make or break your look

When applying dark shadow to the crease of your eye, be careful to blend only on the outside edge. Get to close to the eye and you’ll cause your eyes to look teeny and beady.

Secret #5: Set shadow with a great base

Primers are super hot right now because they help set makeup that stays for hours. I’ve found the secret to keeping shadow in place for hours is a shadow base.

Secret #6: Shimmer is hot, but plays up wrinkles

Shimmer makes eyes really pop, but it also highlights heavy lids, lines and wrinkles. A great look for shimmer is to create a ‘nude’ lid, but apply a bit of gold shimmer to the browbone. Gorgeous!

Secret #7: Smokey is great, but keep it to the lid

Making up a smokey eye? Keep color to the lid and just under the lower lashline. Don’t extend color above the crease.

Secret #8: How to pair shadow with red lips

Remember the beauty rule ‘Thou Shalt Not Play up the Lips AND the Mouth.’ If you’re going for dramatic red lips (never out of fashion), cover unsightly blue lines on lids with a concealer or shadow primer and then keep eyeshadow light.