My newest obsession is MAKE-UP! It's not exactly "new-new", because I have always been extremely fascinated by it, but I am now taking my fascination to another level and indulging in the make-up world. I have bought tons of products (still buying), subscribed to numerous YouTube channels (still subscribing), and tried new looks on myself daily for practice (still trying). Make-up is an art form. It is intriguing to me the ability to create a new persona just by creating smoky eyes, or wearing a bold lipstick, or even a simple winged eye.
The best thing about make-up for me is that you can learn something new everyday! Each time I try a new look, watch a different video, or buy a new product I learn a new technique. It is never ending FUN...eventually! Honestly, the make-up world can be overwhelming. Before when I would admire a woman's make-up I had no idea how much time, effort, and money probably went into it. All I saw was this flawless, seamless, and beautiful face that I wanted to create, but when I sat down to do it, it was NOT happening. My foundation was all wrong, my eye shadow was a hot mess, and contouring was not even a word in my vocabulary! I was what many of us are when it comes to something new, a beginner! Now, please understand, I am STILL a beginner. Although I would love to one day say that I am a pro at make-up, that day is not today.
I am not here to give off the illusion that I know everything about make-up, because I don't! I want to share all the things I wish someone would have told me about make up when I began. I believe that some woman look at make up as a confusing maze, which makes them shy away from trying it out, but it doesn't have to be that way. It's all about being patient with yourself, taking on this new beauty interest, and channeling your inner make-up artist! Enjoy a few tips, tricks, and tools!
The best thing about make-up for me is that you can learn something new everyday! Each time I try a new look, watch a different video, or buy a new product I learn a new technique. It is never ending FUN...eventually! Honestly, the make-up world can be overwhelming. Before when I would admire a woman's make-up I had no idea how much time, effort, and money probably went into it. All I saw was this flawless, seamless, and beautiful face that I wanted to create, but when I sat down to do it, it was NOT happening. My foundation was all wrong, my eye shadow was a hot mess, and contouring was not even a word in my vocabulary! I was what many of us are when it comes to something new, a beginner! Now, please understand, I am STILL a beginner. Although I would love to one day say that I am a pro at make-up, that day is not today.
I am not here to give off the illusion that I know everything about make-up, because I don't! I want to share all the things I wish someone would have told me about make up when I began. I believe that some woman look at make up as a confusing maze, which makes them shy away from trying it out, but it doesn't have to be that way. It's all about being patient with yourself, taking on this new beauty interest, and channeling your inner make-up artist! Enjoy a few tips, tricks, and tools!
Tools
This is NOT a grocery list of everything that you need to go out and buy right now! If you're getting into make up you have to start practicing control NOW! Trust me! This is a list of things that I have accumulated over the last year or so and enjoy using, plus the order that I use them, starting with the application tools. I added a link for some items that I've bought and put a little star by the items that are "essential". (WARNING: The more you play around with make-up, the more you will start to feel that they are all essential.)
Brushes and Tools- How else do you expect to paint your face? A variety of brushes are super essential to make up because they all serve a different purpose. Here's a link to a list of make up brushes and a description of what they do.
Sponge-A sponge is not a necessity but is highly recommended for a more flawless look. I linked the most popular sponge, The Beauty Blender. I know, it's hard to convince yourself to spend $20 or more for a SPONGE, but it is definitely worth every penny!
Moisturizer- Make sure you already have a decent washing and moisturizing routine down before you start anything! Don't try to cover up what hasn't been cleaned and moisturized first.
Primer(s)- This is like the base or foundation (not to be confused with the actual product foundation, mentioned later in the list) of the face. It's just like paint primer, which provides a smooth surface before you paint. It makes the make up lay on your skin, instead of sinking into your pores, which gives your face a smoother finish and much better for your skin! I definitely saw a difference in how my make-up applied before and after picking up this product. There are primers for whole face application and for just your eyes in preparation for eyeshadow. Here's a link for 15 Benefits of Using Makeup Primer, just in case you're not convinced yet. It's not a necessity, but highly recommended if you plan on wearing make-up on a regular basis.
Eyebrows- Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that having appealing eyebrows is just as important as breathing. Some people are willing to go to a lot of extremes to have perfectly arched and filled in brows and spend a nice chunk of change on getting them. Initially I wasn't that big on eyebrows, but after watching countless tutorials and buying enough products, I realized how adequately arched eyebrows truly frame your face just right!
Eye Shadow- This is one part of makeup that I am the weakest, but won't to learn so much more! If done incorrectly, this can really ruin an otherwise good look. I've learned that the trick to beautiful eyeshadow is to blend and build! Build up your intensity, instead of going all out all at once, and blend each color that you put on to make sure there are no harsh lines and it flows seamlessly.
Foundation (Liquid or Powder)- This product is pretty self-explanatory; it's what you build all your looks on top of. This product was the hardest for me to shop for, being that I am dark skin (a lot of make-up lines do not cater to my complexion) and I have oily skin. When shopping for foundation you need to decide what shade is best for you and what formula is best for your skin type. Do you want you shade to be a little darker than you? Do you want to match your tone to your neck? Do you have oily, dry, or combination skin? Do you want a cream, liquid, or powder foundation? How much do you want to spend? The questions can be endless, but once you start answering them, narrowing down to the foundation that is bet for you will become a breeze!
Highlight and Contour- Highlighting and contouring is the process of adding dimension to your face by highlighting the areas that light will hit (under eyes, bridge of nose, chin, and middle of forehead) and contouring the outer corners of your face (hairline, temples, sides of nose, jawline and cheekbones). This is one of the hottest make-up fads right now and once you try it out, even if unsuccessful, you will wonder how you made it without doing so before! I LOVE to contour!
Blush and Bronzer- Both of these products can add color and warmth to your face. Finding your right shade of blush is a MUST! You don't want to be too rosy because you got a color too dark or look ashy, because you got a color that was too light. Know your skin!
Eyeliner- You can go pencil, liquid, or gel/creme eye liner...or all three (guilty!) This an item I don't splurge on, but because all three can be used in different ways, I think you should try them out. Here's an amazing post I found from MakeUpGeek.com on types of eyeliners and how to use them, check it out! I am positive it will answer any questions you may have!
Mascara- No need to splurge! Find one that elongates your lashes, doesn't clump (unless you like the clumpy look), and is waterproof- you are good to go! I'm a Rimmel London girl myself! Of course there are high end mascara, but I have it tried any of them personally because I am satisfied with my drugstore mascara.
Make-Up Remover- This is pretty much self explanatory. It removes the make-up from your face. I prefer to use wipes, instead of a liquid because it is less greasy to me. Don't skimp on the remover; you don't want leftover makeup on your face, clogging your pores, and causing possible skin problems.
10 Tips, Tricks, and You-Should-Know's
- Find out what type of skin you have!- This HAS to be STEP ONE! It will save you a lot of money and time if you understand what type of skin you have and what will or wont work for you. Do you have oily, dry, combination, or none of the above skin? If you get pretty shiny through out the say, even with no products, you probably have oily skin. If you notice little dry patches on your face, regularly, you probably have dry skin. If you are someone where in the middle, you probably have combination skin! It doesn't matter what type of skin you have, because I can guarantee there is a product out there for you!
- Be prepared to spend $$$!- This hobby can get expensive. The deeper you get, the more you spend. There will always be a new product that you'll want to try, so budget yourself.
- Reviews, Reviews, Reviews!- Before you splurge on that product that everyone is so in love with, REVIEW IT! Look up videos, ratings, and dupes. Take your time when reviewing. Buying that product is not a rush and if the product is gone, then maybe it wasn't meant to be. Be wise with your money!
- Don't feel obligated to buy the most expensive, high-end brand!- Drug store make up can sometimes give you the exact same results as that expensive brand from Ulta, Sephora, or your favorite department store. Try out that $5 foundation before splurging on that $50 one, especialy if you are not sure what's bet for your skin type.
- Join the rewards clubs!- My two favorite make up stores, Ulta and Sephora, have rewards clubs for their shoppers to join. For every dollar you spend, you get a point. Those points are redeemable for free make-up samples, plus they send you info on sales right to your email. It can definitely save you money and you get free stuff! Who doesn't want free make up?!
- Liquid products need a babysitter!- For every liquid product you use (foundation, concealer, etc.) you need a powder to "set it" or make sure it stays in place and doesn't slide all over your face. For example, if you decide to use a liquid foundation, you will need a corresponding powder (powder foundation, finishing powder, translucent powder, etc) to lightly go over that liquid so that it does not crease or slide all over.
- Find what works for YOU!- The more you explore on YouTube, the more techniques and tricks you will see. Of course you are going to want to try them, but it's important that you don't force it. Just because she (or he) is your favorite makeup artist or Youtuber, doesn't mean you have to do everything exactly how they do it. Experiment a little, but remember to find what works specifically for you and your face.
- Find someone that will be HONEST with you!- This tips goes for online and in real life. Make sure you are followed wing Youtubers and make-up artists that are giving honest reviews about products and not saying they love everything, just because it was sent to them. You will be able to tell! Also find people that will give you their honest opinion of how your own make up looks; it's always nice to have a fresh pair of eyes that haven't been sitting there staring at the same face for an extended period of time. For me, my honest opinions come from my sister and mother. Thanks to their honesty by eyebrows have greatly improved and my foundation matches my neck! Woohoo!
- Never be afraid to just start over.- If the look is not working, just start over! Don't worry about the wasted product, because it will totally be worth it once you get it right.
- Always feel your PRETTIEST without any products at all, and only your smile.- No matter what you put on, remember that you are just as beautiful without it. Don't get caught up in this beauty world and forget that you are beauty personified. Beauty is what is on the inside, always!
My Favorite Youtubers and Instragram Accounts
This list is in no particular order and I didn't include any of the brand pages that I follow on Instagram! I linked either their YouTube Channel or Instagram, depending on which one I follow. I don't usually follow both because I'm just weird like that, but most persons have tags for all of their social media, so go crazy! My YouTube subscribes are a little prejudice, being that the majority are African American women who are brown skin or dark skin, but I prefer to watch women that look like me, so I can truly imagine what it will look like on me! Instagram has a bit more variety. Trust me, once you start watching one video or find one account, more will start to pop up everywhere and you will find the perfect people to follow.
YOUTUBE
I hope that something in this post was helpful to you! I know it has a lot, but why not have it all in one convenient place that you can come back to any time you want! NoW go forth and APPLY! May the make-up fairies forever be in you favor!
Indulge in MAKE UP!
xo,
BLT