How To Apply Makeup by Danielle Nelson

Applying makeup takes practice, patience, money and it can be really fun. You will have to be 100% committed. I feel that the supplies you buy are a worthwhile investment if you take care of them. If you practice and invest money in your supplies, you can make money doing other people’s makeup.

It would be best to have access to the Internet and a You Tube account.  You will find great instructional videos on You Tube.

Here is a list of supplies you will need to apply your makeup. You will need makeup brushes: foundation brush, concealer brush, lip brush, eyeshadow brush, blending brush, blush brush, and a big fluffy brush. I suggest buying your brushes from Coastal Scents; they are moderately priced and will last. However, if you have saved some money, I recommend M.A.C. brushes, as they will last a lifetime. You will also need cleaning solution for your brushes, and it would be best to clean them once a month. The makeup you will need is foundation, concealer, blush, eyeshadows, lipstick, mascara, and optional makeup is gloss and bronzer. When you buy your foundation and concealer, pick a brand that best matches your skin tone. Don’t be scared to spend some money on these two products because they are the bread and butter of your makeup. Your eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, gloss and bronzer can be purchased at Target. You will need two products to prep your face, which is face and eye primer. The best place to get these two products is Ultra Beauty. The last two products you will need are the most important, and you should already have them: facial cleaner and moisturizer.

There are several steps to apply flawless makeup, and every step is essential. First, clean and moisturize the face. The most important tip when cleaning and moisturizing your face is to always do the neck area. You will be thankful when you get older. Use a mild facial soap when cleaning your face and apply a light coat of moisturizer and let it dry.  It is important to clean and moisturize your face twice a day; it will keep your skin clear and bright.

Second, apply the primer. This is prepping the face to apply the makeup. Make sure that after each step, you let the primer dry. Apply a thin coat of face primer to your entire face and under your jawbone. Then apply a thin coat of eye primer to your entire eyelid from lashes to eyebrows. You can use your fingers to apply both of these products.  Primer is very important because it makes the makeup easier to apply to the face and it helps the makeup stay on the face the entire day. 

Third, apply the foundation and concealer. Apply concealer to any blemishes with the ring finger or a concealer brush. Next, apply the foundation. If you are using a liquid, use a foundation brush that is for liquid or wet products. If you are using a powder, use a foundation brush that is for dry products. The next step is optional (only if needed): Reapply more concealer to the very dark blemishes if you can still see them after you have applied the foundation.

Fourth, apply the blush. When applying the blush, use a blush brush and apply a thin coat of blush to your cheeks. Start at the apple of the cheeks and go up the cheekbone to your temple. When applying the product to the brush, make sure to tap the excess off. You can stop here if you want the natural look and just add some lip gloss.

Fifth, if you are going out on the town, follow the next steps. Apply a neutral color to your eyelid from lashes to brow bone using an eyeshadow brush; this is your base color. Then apply a darker color to your crease and outer eyelid using an eyeshadow brush. If you want to really stand out, out use a color with some sparkle. Then use a blending brush to blend the two colors together. Blend until you cannot see any visible lines. Next, apply the highlight color with an eyeshadow brush. This color should be a very light color that is applied right under the eyebrow from beginning to end.  Then use the blending brush to blend the highlight color with the base color.  The last step for your eyes is to check and see if there are any hard lines between the three colors, if so, blend.  If you want more of a smokey eye, add more of the darker color to the outer eyelids with the eyeshadow brush, then blend with the blending brush. Make sure when changing between the colors that you clean the brushes on a paper towel just by brushing back and forth.

Sixth, apply the lipstick. Moisturize your lips with lip balm and let it set for five minutes. It would be best to do this step when you are doing your eyes. Apply lip pencil to the entire lips. Use a color that is close to the color of the lipstick. Coloring the entire lips with a lip pencil will help the lipstick last all day. Apply two coats of lipstick with a lip brush. Let the first coat of lipstick dry before applying the second coat. If you want a gloss to your lips, apply a small amount to the center of your lips with a lip brush. 

Seventh, apply the bronzer; this step is optional. Use a big fluffy brush and apply a light coat of bronzer. Tap off the excess. Apply at the chin, right above the blush, the bridge of the nose, and the peak of the forehead.  These are all the places where the sun will hit the face the most.

Eighth, apply the mascara. Apply two coats of mascara to both the upper and lower lashes, but wait until the first coat dries before applying the second coat. You can also apply fake lashes; just follow the directions on the box.  Please practice with the fake lashes, as you do not want the day of the event to be the first time you put on fake lashes. 

The last step is to take a good look at yourself in the mirror, blow yourself a kiss and say, “Damn!  I look fabulous!”