You wouldn't think that the order in which you put on your makeup makes much difference, but it does. With so many options for products, knowing which order to use them will make your morning much easier.
Follow these five steps for a flawless face every time.
STEP 1 - PREP
CLEANSE
Use a cleanser that exfoliates to
remove dead skin and create a smooth surface. Cleansing your skin every morning and night not only gets rid of dirt and oil, it helps prevent breakouts and irritation.
TONE
An oil-free toner will help keep you
shine-free throughout the day.
HYDRATE
A light moisturizer is perfect for
daytime, whereas a heavier cream is better for overnight.
SUNSCREEN
Don’t skip this step! Sun protection
is important all year round. Pro tip: Use a moisturizer with sunscreen to skip a step.
STEP 2 - SKIN
PRIME
Your primer should go on first. Make
sure your moisturizer and sunscreen are fully absorbed before adding anything
else.
CONCEALER
This step is for concealer, both
green and skin toned.
BASE
Put on your foundation, and make sure
it is completely blended. Using a cosmetic sponge or beauty blender will prevent the transfer of oil from your fingers to your face, and give you a more even base.
CONTOUR
Heavy contouring will make you look plastic, but light contouring with powder helps define your face. Use bronzer on your temples, the sides of your nose, and your jawline. Brush highlighter above your brows, on your cheekbones, down the middle of your nose, and dab a little on your chin.
Don't forget to blend!
BLUSH
Dip your brush into your blush, and tap or blow on it to remove the extra powder. Brush it onto the apples of your cheeks.
SET
Use a loose or pressed powder to set cream and liquid
foundation, or a setting spray to keep everything in place.
STEP 3 - EYEBROWS
BRUSH
Get your brows to behave by gently
brushing them with a spoolie (the brush that looks like a mascara wand). Brush in the direction you want your brows to go.
PENCIL
Lightly line your brows with a
pencil, and use small, soft strokes to fill them in.
POWDER
Create a fuller look by filling in
your brows with powder. Powder also looks more natural than only using pencil.
HIGHLIGHT
Place a line of highlighter directly underneath your brow to brighten your eyes.
STEP 4 - EYES
LINER
Starting with liner gives you a better idea of where your colours will go. Line your top eyelid, and the rim of the bottom of your eye.
BASE COLOUR
This is the colour that goes over your entire eyelid. A neutral tone will even out your lid and give you a solid base to work with.
Mix it up by blending two or three colours across your lid. Pro tip: Use whichever colours you used on your top lid along the bottom of your eye. Brush a small amount of the same colours on top of your bottom liner to mimic the shades you have on your eyelid.
INNER CORNER
Choose a light tone, and put it on the inner corner of your eye.
CREASE COLOUR
Choose a dark shade to fill in the crease of your eyelid. This will make your eyes look bigger.
LINER (AGAIN)
Touch up the liner you started with. Blending eyeshadow will have obscured the line.
LASHES
Start by putting mascara on your bottom lashes. Curl your top lashes, then brush on the mascara. Using several coats will give you thicker, darker lashes.
STEP 5 - lips
LINER
Lining your lips with a pencil will prevent the colour from bleeding onto the skin around it. Once the colour smudges, your lips will look sloppy.
Trace the edge of your lips with the pencil, being careful not to go outside your natural lip line.
LIPSTICK
Use small strokes to put on your lipstick. Do your bottom lip first, and gently press your lips together to transfer the colour to your top lip. Fill in the empty space on your upper lip.
GLOSS
Top off your lips with a gloss for a glam look, or use a mattifying top coat for everyday.
