How To Put On Makeup

In Ten 'K.I.S.S.' Steps

How to put on makeup and what sequence it goes on, DOES matter. Yes, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'...and we all might have a different idea of what is beautiful... BUT there is a VERY practical sequence to the method of makeup application.

SO, if you care about the degree of your application success; appeal, precision, professional looking results, polish, and lasting effects etc...Here is a sequence with a K.I.S.S.... (Keep It Simple Steps).

Regardless of the artistic differences between makeup professionals and their end style goals, there is a general rule of thumb in steps followed for most makeup applications.

How To Put On Makeup: Professional 'Rules Of Thumb' Sequence...

Step 1.

Hydrate skin with lightweight moisturizer (unless super oily skin), for greater reception by skin to entire application.

Step 2.

Primer creates a more receptive base to makeup and also addresses anti aging issues such as diminishing fine lines and smoothing an uneven surface which can 'grab' makeup and create patchy finish to dry applications such as blush or eyeshadow.

Consider award winning Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Step 3.

Foundation- formulation weight as light as possible for as sheer as possible, application (and still achieves the goal of evening skin tone).  Sheer is the goal because it has the most natural finish, allowing your skin to show through. -skin tone match needs to be perfect to near perfect. You will have blown any benefit of using foundation if it is a mismatch skin tone...check a few shades in natural light along your jawline. The color should seemingly disappear into you skin tone.

Consider these quality choices if you need some foundation; lightweight moisturizing  tint by  Stila Tinted Moisturizer or sheer, oil free foundation by Clinique Superbalanced Makeup.

Step 4.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage at Beso.com

Concealer- there are a variety of weights of concealer formulations out there for you to choose from. Your choice will of coarse be made based on need i.e.. blemish? dark circles? etc. There are light weight formulations that are wand in tube style with liquid formats, there are lipstick-style tube with solid formulations, and there are paste in a pot style which are solid, less creamy, heavier weight formulations. The heavier the weight of the formulation, the less opaque the concealer. For precision and effectiveness use a concealer makeup brush.

Try this multi purpose concealer if you don't wear foundation Philosophy the Supernatural Powder Airbrushed Canvas with SPF 15 or custom blend to perfectly match your skin tone withLaura Mercier Secret Camouflage.

Step 5.

Powder-Dusting your face with translucent loose powder using a large dome powder makeup brush is the ideal method and most often used by professional makeup artists. It is an important way to 'set' your base makeup (foundation, concealer, primer) which helps it last and creates a great makeup receptive surface to apply your next steps of makeup. It also gets rid of shine that can come from foundation. If you don't use foundation it still cuts down shine, creates a good working surface and will if slightly tinted, provide a little coverage and even out skin tone.

Try this beautiful translucent loose powder for a flawless finish MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder

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Step 6.

Eye Makeup

How to put on makeup for eyes, depends on how much eye makeup you wear and what.  These parts below deal with what most of us do daily.

Eyeshadow- with the exception of a smoky eye style, most eye makeup styles begin with eye shadow application. Again, style will determine the sequence of shades in a multi shadow application.

Eyeliner- Pencil (eyeshadow applied with liner brush will set the pencil and help it resist smudging, liquid (no setting needed).

Eyelash Curler- to help open the eye and maximize eyelash definition.

Mascara With mascara comb or brush remove clumps and position lashes.

Brought to you by Eye Makeup Kit at Beso.com

Step 7.

Eye makeup correction- Dust away eyeshadow dust with powder brush, de-speckle mascara marks with Q-tip.

Step 8.

Eyebrow Grooming- whether that means only combing into place, using gel or actually filling in, building shape etc.

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Step 9.

Face Color & Effects

How to put on makeup in this step will have a lot to do with how much effect you attempt. These four parts below, will complete full dimensional effects.

Contour- neutral shade deeper than natural skin tone to help sculpt face shape and/ or create balance. Also will help slim face (not a recommended step for daytime or natural light makeup).

Lorac Blush Duo at Beso.com

Blush- multi tones recommended, with natural flush shade primary to cheek and optional punch of brighter tone at the "apples" (fleshy mound of cheek when you smile).

Bronzer- acts as one of multi-tones of blush that depending on how its applied can produce a sun kissed effect or can help sculpt cheeks depending on desired finish.

Highlighter- reflective application that is often placed along cheekbones, brow bones etc. to enhance their light reflecting properties build dimension.

Shimmer-festive effect created by putting super reflective particles in the makeup and creating sparkle.

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Last but not least...

Step 10.

Lip Makeup

Lip Liner- Usually pencil application in shade that is a perfect match to intended lip color. Soften lip line with lipstick application brush by blending it a little into lip (some pros fill in lips completely with lip pencil for greater staying power of whole lip application).

Lipstick- using lipstick brush, work color into lips. Press tissue between lips. Dust lips with translucent powder. Reapply lip color. Dust with powder one more time. Finish with gloss of choice.

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