“Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily. If a person does not invent herself, she will be invented.” Every day we have can express and transform ourselves into whatever we would like through the awesome power of makeup; from gorgeous bombshell to youthful beauty, whatever look you personally prefer, you can create it. Achieving a perfectly blended face doesn’t have to mean hiring an entire entourage of makeup artists who use the most luxurious products. In fact, the routine you’re using right now can be tweaked in a few ways so you can avoid the dreaded cake-face and instead walk out with a seamless finish.
Ace the Base
While a lot of folks think their mistakes are made during the application process, a lot of poor choices are made at the register before a single sponge or brush touches the cheek. Purchasing the right foundation gives a nice even color to the whole face, allowing the rest of the products to sit on a proper base. Knowing what formulas work for you is also important, as matte foundations can dry out already parched skin, and dewy foundations can exaggerate unevenness in texture. A natural makeup look can’t be achieved if you’re using an orange cream on top of your porcelain skin, or vice versa, so take your time to choose the right one that works for you.
To Bake or Not To Bake?
In the last few years, “baking” has become all the rage; what started in the drag community decades ago has now become mainstream thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian who swears by the trend. The process involves heavy amounts of powder applied on top of concealer and foundation, left on the face for 5 to 15 minutes, and then dusted off with a fluffy brush. The result is a highlighted, brightened effect, so you appear more awake and lively. However, too much of a good thing has never been more evident than when one uses too much powder. Again, knowing your skin type will come in handy if you’re wanting to try this trend.
Less is More
If you’ve watched any beauty tutorials lately, you’ve probably seen one or two videos with young pretty women (and men) applying concealer under their eye in the shape on an upside-down triangle. Such heavy use of concealer might look flawless, but for everyday use on normal or mature skin, this technique can be more cakey than stunning. Kevyn Aucoin, the late great makeup artist to the stars and celebrities of the pivotal 90s, was known for creating looks that complemented the model’s own skin, rather than drown her in 10 layers of foundation. To Kevyn, less was more. Aucoin talks in his book, “Making Faces,” that using too much product can make the skin look artificial, like a mask. While he preferred concealer just like the beauty gurus of today, Aucoin insisted on applying it in a light and well-paced manner. Because concealers usually have a thicker texture than other products, he evened out the skin tone rather than weight the rest of the face down.
The truth is, there is no “one size fits all” with makeup. What works for one person may not work for another. Our differences make us beautiful, and makeup is there to enhance and define our unique features. But if you’re looking at yourself a few hours after powdering your 5 layers of concealer and you’re wondering why it doesn’t look like the girl on the magazine, it’s possible you made simple “mistakes” that can easily be fixed. After all, practice makes perfect and these mistakes are just ways for you to improve your makeup game.
