Cosmetic Application
Techniques By Danna Schneider
There are several
cosmetic application techniques that are used by top Tinseltown
makeup artists and professional stylists on runways models and
Hollywood actresses, both on movie sets and for special events
across the world. These techniques apply to women of all ages.
These techniques will really bring out your best features, and
help camouflage areas you feel may need a little more help or
a radiance boost.
We Will Discuss the Following Techniques:
Foundation Application Techniques
Eyebrow Shaping, Arching and Pencil Application
Eyeliner Application
Eyeshadow Color Choices and Application Techniques
Foundation: Color Choice and Application Technique
Foundation is one of the most important cosmetics you will
purchase and use. It is absolutely imperative that you pick
the right shade of foundation. Pick a shade lighter than your
skin tone and try to stay away from reddish or pink tones,
as they tend to look very "pink" and ruddy in artificial
lighting, and can make your skin appear uneven and flushed.
Foundation Application Technique
It is not negotiable that you apply your foundation with
a makeup pad. There are some really excellent sponge makeup
applicators right now that are used by makeup artists, and
are a favorite of women everywhere who want to get the most
natural and well blended look from their foundation.
Makeup sponges create wonderful, even finish since they make
it nearly impossible to put too much foundation on, due to
their absorption of excess liquid. Be sure to thoroughly blend
the makeup with the sponge, covering each and every area of
the face evenly and equally, including right up to the hairline,
and even on the neck, so that there is not an obvious "line"
where your foundation ends and your real neck color begins!
Eyebrows: Shaping, Arching and Pencil Application
Technique
Eyebrow pencils are also one of the most important cosmetics
in your beauty collection and daily makeup routine. Carefully
choose the pencil color to be a shade lighter than your natural
eyebrow color. This way, it will look more natural, instead
of obviously "drawn on". When tweezing, follow the
natural arch and shape of the brow bone and be sure to tweeze
any stray hair often, for a clean and classic eyebrow shape
like those coveted brows of celebrities such as Angelina Jolie
and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Eyeliner: How to Select Color, and Application Technique
Eyeliner is a great cosmetic for accentuating, dramatizing,
and bringing out your natural eye color and enhancing or even
changing the shape of the eye. As with all other essential
cosmetics, there is a specific technique for getting perfect
results from eyeliner application. Brown is one of my personal
favorites since it is so versatile and looks good on everyone
in the daytime and at night. Brown can also be applied sparingly
for a great, light daytime look, or more heavily for a smudgy,
smoldering night time look.
Black eyeliner should probably be reserved for nights out
on the town, or any night time usage, since black tends to
be too severe in the natural daylight, and can actually wash
you out and magnify complexion imperfections during the day
when sun light is at its peak. If you still want to wear black
during the day, that's fine. Just choose a more muted shade
of black, such as a slate gray or a "grey black"
- which is a great color between black and grey that many
cosmetics companies are now offering.
Now that you know what color to use for eyeliner, here's
the technique for applying it. Start with a sharp eyeliner
pencil, lining the rim of your eye as close to the lower row
of eyelashes as you can get without getting any of the cosmetic
in your eye.
With a sponge-tipped cosmetics smudger, gently smudge the
line you created using a gentle horizontal back and forth
movement. You should always smudge your eyeliner at least
a little bit - more if you want it more dramatic, or smokey
looking. Eyeliner that has not been smudged looks to artificial
and too severe. All good makeup jobs that you've seen are
the result of good smudging!
If you want to make your eyes appear larger, use a bright
white eye liner pencil (I know it seems weird, but trust me
on this) on the very inner corners of the lower lid. This
is a great trick that makeup artists use to create an optical
illusion that the eyes are larger and brighter in color.
Eyeshadow: Color Selection and Application Technique
The first rule of thumb for this excellent and versatile,
face altering cosmetic is to stay away from colors with pink,
red or auburn hues, and these do not flatter most skin types.
These tones actually tend to bring out the red, bloodshot
look in the eyes, and make the eyes appear smaller than they
really are, which I don't think is what any of us are aiming
for!
Whether you wear browns, blues, greys or purples, make sure
you have a nice pale nude or near white, slightly shimmery
for the tops of your eyes, near the brow bone. Apply eyeshadow
with a small, preferably fine haired or natural hair cosmetic
brush. Don't go cheap on the brushes - you'll be sorry - you
will get a superior finish and excellent durability if your
spend a little more on a professional eyeshadow/eyeliner brush.
Brushes work much better than the small sponge-like applicators
that usually come with most cosmetic cases when you buy eyeshadow
at the store. Some of the new shimmery eye creams and squeeze
tube liquid matte eyeshadows are also great for non-crease
and lasting color - just be careful not to load up too much
or it will look creased. Always apply eyeshadow a little more
heavily on the crease between the upper and lower lid to add
more depth and dimension to your eyes, and make them appear
larger. Then, add the paler color to the top for added depth
and perceived size.
Visit Cosmetic Application Techniques
for more makeup selection suggestions and tips. Danna Schneider
is the founder of Cosmetics Galore.com where you can find
out how to get Cosmetics Galore: Skin Care Product Reviews.
