MAKEUP FAQs

By Lisa Doherty

Makeup: Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Photos courtesy of Chanel, Vogue, Yves Saint Laurent, Zimbio

We see it all the time on magazine covers, that perfect airbrushed celebrity that looks exquisitely flawless with a perfect complexion and plump lips to die for. As nice as it would be to have a personal stylist work with us every day to help us create a glamorous look, it is not always realistic. However, for the everyday girl who likes to glam it up a little, there is no reason you cant give yourself that celebrity glow. The trick to a perfect look is knowing which products work best for you, which brushes to use, and which colours suit your complexion and eye colour.

In order to help the lovely ladies out there with their makeup queries, for this article, I decided to poll my target audience of real everyday women, and discover what the most frequently asked questions are regarding makeup application. 

How can I make my eye makeup last?

This phenomenon has not been mastered yet. Even though you will still always have to touch up and keep that eyeliner in your purse, there are ways to help your eye makeup last a while longer without having to go to any extremes. How your makeup lasts can be influenced by your skin type. If your skin is oily, you may want to use blotting papers to remove any excess oils before applying anything to your eyelid (or skin). Next, always use an eye primer before you apply eye shadow. It helps to set your makeup. 

Cream eye shadows tend to crease and smudge, so using a powder base shadow will help to reduce any creasing. As for eyeliner, liquid always lasts and it is important to use a waterproof liner. Now for the real trick of the trade; once you have applied your eyeliner, go over your line with shadow. It will help to set your liner. 

What is the best product to hide dark circles?

Concealer is always the best way to hide dark circles. The type of concealer does make a difference. Liquid concealers tend to provide a thinner coverage, whereas cream concealers are usually thicker. Be careful with cream concealers if you have wrinkles though as it can get stuck in the creases of your skin. Try applying your makeup in this order: 1) Primer under the eye, 2) Liquid concealer 3) a light amount of cream concealer and 4)set with a translucent light powder. 

What is the best kind of foundation to use?

The answer to this question is dependent on many factors. Your skin type, tone, hue and budget all play a role in choosing the perfect foundation. However, of all the products in your makeup case, this is the one you should spend a little more money on. The best foundations out there are not cheap. There are many foundations that are for all skin types, will not clog your pores and will give you a perfect complexion. However in order for to achieve this, you may have to branch away from your favourite drug store. 

When finding the right colour for you, the best way to go about it is to ask a professional and let them help you pick it out. Dont guess. Your foundation sets the canvas for your face, so you want it to match your skin and neck perfectly. One thing you want to look for is a liquid foundation that provides enough coverage to hide your uneven complexion, but is not thick and cakey. This is especially important for any ladies with wrinkles. Mousse and powder foundations tend to be thicker and make it obvious that your face is covered in product. 

What is the best product to use when removing makeup?

Removing a full face of makeup is something that many women dread as part of their regular nightly routine. In fact, there are many women who choose not to wear makeup for this reason, especially when mascara and eyeliner are waterproof. There are many makeup removers out there to choose from, however, you want to use one that is not oil based. Oil based removers often smear and then you have to spend time cleaning the remover itself off of your face. Another technique that may help is placing a warm cloth over your eyes before applying the remover. It opens your pores and softens your skin. 

How do I transition smoothly from a daytime look to a night-time look?

The trick to achieving the night time look is to go darker and brighter. More blush, darker shadow, false lashes and dark liner can help you achieve this. The best advice for going from daytime to night time is: Dont be afraid of makeup. Use lots of product in stages. Start with applying a small amount of dark colour and add layers. No one has ever achieved a smoky eye without using a lot of shadow! 

Lisa Doherty 

Makeup Artist

Website: Starstruck Makeup Artistry - Kingston ON

Photo credits: Chanel, MAC Cosmetics, Mail Online, Vogue, Yves Saint Laurent

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