Simplify Your Makeup

Fabulous makeup starts with the right tools, the right tones and the right technique. These three “T’s” are the keys to keeping it simple and beautiful.

The few tools you need don’t have to be expensive to work well. Choose a quality long-handled sponge tip applicator for eyeshadow, an eyelash curler to showcase your lashes and white cosmetic sponges, cotton balls and Q-tips to cover all your needs for blending and correcting.

While techniques may vary depending on the occasion and amount of time to invest, the point is to keep it simple and do-able on an every day basis.

Tones are important in order to complement your natural coloring. Get the advice of an expert to determine your best colors, and be open to making changes. A new season is upon us and new colors will freshen up your look.

The following are some tips to keeping your makeup light and beautiful along with easy strategies that involve little sacrifice of time, money and energy:

Use a skincare system that works for your lifestyle. I’ve been known to buy a wonderful line of products with six steps to guarantee beautiful skin; I’ve even seen the positive results – only to put it aside two weeks later due to lack of time and energy. Buy only what you know you will use, and adjust it seasonally. If the air is dry, use a heavier moisturizer. If the humidity is up, add a toner or powder. Simplify.
Use foundation as needed. Summertime is a time to lighten up. Try mixing foundation with a drop of water in your hand and apply a thin layer, this is often all we need to enhance that slight bit of color during the warmer season. Just hitting the high points will correct what is needed (nose, upper lip and chin areas tend to be blotchier), then blend the color into your natural skin tone using a white cosmetic sponge. Simplify.
Use lip color. We all tend to lose lip color as time marches on, yet it is easy to remedy. The newer “all-day” lip colors that go on and stay on for 12 hours work well -- if applied correctly. Treat them as though you were putting nail polish on your lips. A very thin coat of color is all you need. Keep in mind that you have only seconds to correct mistakes once it’s applied. Use the gloss that comes with the product liberally and periodically throughout the day. No need for lip liners with these products. Simplify.
Use cheek color if necessary. Most of us benefit from wearing a touch of blush on the apples of our cheeks. It gives a healthy, youthful glow. Powder or cream blusher or even a touch of color from a tube of lipstick applied to your cheeks can look quite natural and goes on quickly. Blend the color with a sponge or cotton ball so that it looks like a natural part of your skin tone. Simplify.
Use eye makeup gently. Try a translucent pressed face powder as your everyday “highlighter” and overall lid color. This looks natural and is easy to apply. Then, add a darker neutral shadow in the middle part of your lid such as a gray brown shade. Position it to appear as would a shadow of your eyelashes being cast from a light shining up from below your face. Feather the colors together lightly on your lid to keep it natural looking. Simplify.
Use mascara and eyeliner sparingly. A little bit goes a long way in emphasizing your eye lashes. Rather than layering on the color, why not try one of the new lash growing products sold at salons or through your doctor? I’ve had positive reports on “Latisse” as well as “Renew Lash”. If you are an eyeliner addict another option to consider is permanent eyeliner & brows (tattooing). This isn’t for everyone, but it does cut down on time spent correctly applying it on a daily basis. Simplify.
Use the right removers. A cleanser for your skin and a product to dissolve your eye and lip color are necessary before bedtime to remove the color and pollutants that collect throughout the day. Makeup cleansers need to be adapted for your skin type (oily, dry, etc..) and often the same product used to remove eye makeup will also remove lip color. Simplify.
Use an SPF daily. This can be done separate from you routine – or incorporated into one of the other products you use, such as foundation or moisturizer. Don’t forget to protect your lips. Sun exposure can cause not only skin cancer but also acne, and fever blisters. Take care of your face and it will serve you well in the years to come. Simplify.

Until next month – God bless and enjoy the beauty of the season!