Makeup Basics for the Face
Written for Walgreens.com
The best makeup aficionados know something important: makeup exists to help you highlight your best features, not cover up your face. We’ve compiled some tips to help you make the best of your beautiful features. Read on to learn the basics of applying makeup to your face.
Prep work:
Don’t reach for the foundation quite yet. In order to highlight your best features, we first need to start with the basics, and that means clearing the canvas for the work of art that is you. Begin by cleaning your skin with a gentle face wash. Then, exfoliate. Finally, apply a thin layer of moisturizer with SPF to your face. These three steps will do a lot to help your makeup look great by clearing away dead skin cells and flaky, dry skin that can make foundation and powder look uneven.
Foundation:
After your skin is clean, smooth, and moisturized, you’re ready to apply the base coat of your makeup, foundation. When selecting foundation, it’s important to pick a sheer formula that matches both your skin tone (color) and your skin type (sensitive, normal, oily). Using your fingers or a makeup sponge, apply foundation all the way down towards your throat and keep blending until you can’t see where the makeup ends. Also blend the foundation towards your eyes, but be careful how close you come to that sensitive area. The skin around the eye is very delicate. Note: If a liquid foundation has SPF in it, it’s not good for taking flash photography. Use one without SPF to avoid looking too flashed out on your face.
Concealer:
Once you have a thin, even layer of foundation on your face, it’s time to minimize the appearance of any red or discolored spots. First, apply concealer to the areas you want to conceal, then pat the areas lightly with your fingertips to blend.
Loose powder:
To help set the foundation and concealer, apply a loose powder all over your face using a powder brush. Also apply to the upper lid of your eye (before applying eye makeup) to help color last throughout the day and minimize smudging. With powder, be careful not to use too much or you’ll be able to notice every hair on your face. If you do apply too much, simply run a kleenex lightly over your skin to shake off some of the powder.
Bronzer:
For a sun-kissed look, apply bronzer to your forehead, cheeks, and chin.
Blush:
You’re now ready for the final step: applying blush! This takes some practice. You’ll want to apply the blush lightly on the apples of your cheeks. To find those pretty apples, smile. Then follow your cheek bones with the color, watching them pop.
The makeup on your face is now complete, but you’ve only just begun. There’s more fun to be had by playing up your eyes and your lips. Then, go forth and rule the world.