Unfortunately, we can’t always wake up looking flawless and perfect from every angle. Beauty requires a bit of time and effort, especially when it involves using makeup or different products. There are various techniques you can try out that will help you look and feel your best.
Reverse Contouring
This is the process of highlighting under where you usually contour instead of contouring. Try to sweep some highlighter below the hollows of your cheeks and blend it along with your jaw. This will brighten the area and make your cheekbones look more pronounced.
Multimasking
With this method, you apply different products simultaneously to different parts of the face. Different parts of your face have different needs, which is why this method is effective. If you have dry cheeks, add a hydration treatment to this zone, but if you have an oily forehead, try a deep clean formula mask in this area. Don’t forget about the undereye area and use an eye-specific sheet mask. It might look crazy, but the results will be worth it.
Strobing
Strobing has become a very popular highlighting technique. It involves using a lot of different products made for the purpose of highlighting and blending them together to create glass-like skin. This technique uses mostly shimmery shades of highlighter to bring out features to create the illusion of a contoured face. It brings out all of your features and leaves a dewy, glowy finish. You can use powder highlighters and dewy misting sprays together to create a natural, yet glowing effect.
Baking
Baking was made popular by Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist. It’s basically a method of highlighting by using face powder. After applying foundation, use a damp makeup sponge to pat a thick layer of loose powder on areas that you want to brighten. It’s mostly used under the eyes, down the centre of the nose, and the chin. Let the powder sit for around 10-15 minutes, and dust it away with a bigger fluffy brush. This will help your makeup last all day or night.
Body sugaring
Shaving and waxing aren’t the most pleasant things in the world. An ancient hair removal method involves combining sugar, lemon, and water to make an all-natural paste which is applied to any hair you want to remove. The sugar sticks to your hair instead of this skin which is less painful and doesn’t irritate the skin as much. The wax is also used at room temperature, so it doesn’t leave any burns. Try it instead of traditional razor shaving!
Rosewater
This product has become popular in many people’s’ skincare routine, and it’s no surprise. Rose water has many benefits and can be used on all skin types.
- It controls excess oils and helps maintain the skin’s sebum production.
- It balances the skin’s pH level.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness, acne, eczema and other skin conditions. It removes oils and dirt very well and helps unclog pores.
- It aids in healing scars, wounds, and cuts. Its antibacterial properties are very effective.
- Its moisturising properties improve the quality of hair and help treat mild scalp inflammations. It also helps get rid of dandruff. Rose water works as a natural conditioner and speeds up the process of hair growth.
- It reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
- The scent of rose water has been proven to help you sleep better and relax you.
There are many ways you can add rose water into your beauty routine. It’s mostly used at night before going to sleep so it can really sink into the skin. Just add a bit onto a cotton pad and massage it into the skin as a toner. It can also be used as a mist on top of your makeup to keep your skin fresh and hydrated.
For dry and frizzy hair try creating your own conditioner spray: mix equal parts rosewater and glycerin, apply onto the skin and massage for around 30 minutes. Wash it off thoroughly with shampoo.
It can also be used as a mild facial cleanser; you only need to add a few drops of glycerine to one tablespoon of rose water and massage it onto your face. Rinse it off with some warm water and follow with a moisturiser.
Lip locking
This method is all about keeping your lip product in place. It was a popular makeup technique in the ’80s that is making a comeback. To “lock” the colour, draw on your lip liner as usual and use a small foundation sponge to dip the tip of it in powder lightly. Get rid of excess powder on the sponge and press it all around the perimeter of the lip, as close to the liner as possible. Apply your lipstick next and repeat the powder application. Apply another coat of lipstick, and you’re done. This lip is guaranteed to last all day and night without smudging.
The perfect cat eye
Dot the end of your liner as the first step. Use this as a guide to draw a straight line connecting the dot to your lash line. Next, draw a line as close to the lash line as possible. Add a top line and fill in the triangle. If you prefer a sharp and precise line, use tape to guide your line.
Flesh-toned eyeliner to brighten eyes
A matte flesh-tone eyeliner will reduce the appearance of tired eyes. Line the inner corners and waterline of the eye with the eyeliner to highlight the eyes and make them appear more prominent. A lot of these types of eyeliner come in a gel formula that includes ingredients like vitamin A and E, aloe vera, and other beneficial nutrients. A nude lip liner can be used to highlight the lip shape as well.
Replace eyeshadow with a highlighter
Many eyeshadow colours give your lids a pop of shimmer, but nothing will provide a natural-like glow like a highlighter. Find a light-reflecting highlighter that isn’t too over the top and glittery. This will bring out the colour of your eyes and open them up.
Hot eyelash curler
This method requires a blowdryer to heat up your eyelash curler slightly. A warmed up eyelash curler is better at defining and curling the brows. You have to be extremely careful not to burn your skin since the metal gets very hot. The stainless frame and curved rubber lash press work best when they aren’t cold. It acts like a curling iron and ensures they stay in place all day.
Plastic spoon
Use a spoon to easily apply mascara on your bottom lashes without getting any product on the skin under your eyes. It helps you apply a thicker coat and doesn’t ruin the makeup you’ve already applied. It’s a great tip and can be used instead of eyeshadow shields.
Fixing clumpy mascara
Every mascara dries out over time. It starts to form lumps and flakes. In order to help prevent this, avoid pumping your mascara wand to get more product. The air entering dries out the formula. Try replacing your mascara every three months, but if it dries out sooner use a drop or two of any brand of eye drops into the tube and swirl the wand around inside. The drops soften and liquify the mascara and make it easier to apply the product.
False lash look
Falsies can be challenging to apply and take up a lot of time. You can create a false eyelash look without actually using falsies.
- After you curl your lashes, apply a thin layer of powder. Make sure to do both the top and bottom lashes. You can also use baby powder since it creates the same effect. This makes lashes look fuller.
- Next, apply two coats of mascara to the bottom and top side of your lashes. Make sure to wait 3-5 minutes in between layers or they tend to get clumpy.
- Try to avoid moving your mascara wand from the base of your lashes up when applying mascara. Move the mascara wand back and forth while going up. The left and right motion will cover every lash entirely.
- Make sure there aren’t any gaps between lashes! Use the tip of the wand to apply mascara to sparse areas. Try using a thin liquid eyeliner to fill in any gaps as well.
Downward strokes
Apply your foundation and powder using only downward strokes. Face hair tends to grow downwards. If you apply your makeup with upward strokes, you’re only enhancing the hairs and making them more noticeable.
Concealer control
Use an eyeliner or any slender brush for precise concealer application. Blend the edges with your finger. This gives the skin a natural finish without looking cakey. It’s best for concealing blemishes and imperfections.
Soften lines
Liquid eyeliner is great for cat eyes and defining the eyes, but it can look quite harsh. It can be easy to make mistakes and hard to remove. A proper technique would be to soften the look with a bit of brown shadow over the liner. It diminishes the harsh line and helps blend out any mistakes.
3D lips
Achieving 3D lips isn’t easy, but there are many techniques that can help you.
- Start with lip liner.
Choose the shade of lip liner that is a bit darker than the lip shade you’ll be using on your full lips. Outline them properly and fill them in with lipstick. Use a highlighting shade only to the centre of the lips. This will make them appear plump and full.
- Use lighter coloured lipsticks.
Dark lip colours tend to give the lips a slim look. Try choosing lighter shades when you want to give your lips a 3D a look.
- Use lip plumpers
Look for lip products that contain hyaluronic acid and peptides. They’re known to soften the lines and plump the lips. These products tend to burn the lips a bit, but it doesn’t last long, and the effect is definitely worth it.
- Blend, blend, blend!
Another way to get a 3D effect on the lips is to apply both a dark and light shade. Apply the dark shade first and the lighter shade on top. Blend the colour outwards from the middle of your lips. Make sure to get rid of any noticeable harsh lines. Apply a shimmery lip gloss to the center of the lips for a plump look.
- Try a metallic eye shadow
Just like a highlighter, metallic eye shadows will reflect light intensely and make your upper lip look bigger. Apply any lipstick shade and dab a gold or silver shadow above your upper lip with your finger. Remember to blend well!
- Use a light liner.
First, apply a light shade of lipstick to your lips. Add a plumping lip gloss to the whole lips. Apply a highlighting liner just above the Cupid’s bow and right below the lower lip. Blend it well with your fingers. This will give the illusion of light and add some dimension.
All of these techniques can be used to enhance your appearance and make you stand out! Try them out yourself and see how well they work.
