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| Different Types of Make-up Tools |
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There are many different kinds of makeup tools–lipsticks, foundations, pencils, powders, and concealers. All these can be utilized to make a finished, more beautiful you. What are the basic makeup tools and how do they function within the big picture? We’ll start at the beginning.
Concealer
For most of us, concealers are the basic makeup tool. Concealers do just what their name implies, they hide blemishes–spots, spider veins and any undesirable marks. Utilize a color that matches your skin tone. Concealer should be dabbed on, not rubbed or wiped, and care should be utilized when working underneath the eyes. The skin under the eyes is very delicate and care must be taken not to dry out or damage this skin.
Foundation
The next makeup tool is foundation, which provides a “clean slate” to work on. Foundation smooths and evens out the skin, giving a uniform look. The effect can be dramatic. Years ago, foundations were hard on the skin and could cause early aging. Anymore, utilizing a foundation for your skin helps it by moisturizing and protecting.
Foundation can be applied after moisturizers or as a moisturizer. It comes in a variety of forms; liquid, cream, gel, and powders. Work with what is the most comfortable for you. Choose a color that closely matches your skin tone, and pay specific attention to the hue. Every foundation will either have a yellow or blue undertone. Make sure that the hue matches your skin’s.
When applying foundation, do not utilize too much and make sure the edges are well blended. Applying foundation to the neck and underneath the jaw is wise. Nothing looks worse than a line where the makeup stops. Your goal is to look natural, not like you’re wearing a mask.
Foundation can be set with a light powder. This is especially important when wearing light clothing and will help the makeup not rub off.
By utilizing two shades of foundation, one slightly darker than the other, special emphasis can be placed on the shape of your face. If your face is long or wide, darker foundation at the top and bottom, if your face is long, or sides, if you face is wide can appear to change the shape. This is technique best played with first before going out for a night on the town.
Blusher
The next makeup tool is blusher. Blusher brightens the face and gives a healthy glow. Like your foundation, choose a tone that matches your skin. Choose a color that suites your style. Lighter, muted colors are better for summer and brighter colors in the winter. But never, never use a color that is darker than your natural blush. A quick swipe of blush, along with a bit of mascara and gloss can be your whole makeup regime on many days.
There are a variety of types of blush, from liquid to powder, choose the type that is best for your skin type and comfortable for you to work with. The easiest type of blush to work with is powder.
Apply the blush from the top of your ear across the cheekbone. Stop at the apple of your cheekbone, just under the middle of your eye. Blush can also be lightly applied as a bronzer; across the temple, on the nose, the chin and on the neck.
Powder
Powder provides a finished look to your makeup and also fixes it, keeping it from wearing off or smudging. Powder is a necessary makeup tool especially for people with oily skin, because it will absorb the oil.
Powder comes loose and caked. Loose is better for the initial makeup in the morning and cakes works well for quick touchups, and can be a part of the makeup tools in your purse.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner comes in pencil, liquid or powder form and is used to define the eyes. Liquid eye liners provide the most dramatic results, producing a defined line. Pencils can be utilized as a sharp line or smudged to give a softer look. Powder can be utilized either wet or dry, the wet providing more defined lines and the dry a softer look. For older women, a softer line provides a better overall appearance.
Eye Shadow
Eye shadow is usually found in abundance in most women’s makeup tools! The shadow comes in a variety of forms–sticks, creams, powders and pencils–and colors. Opinions of how to best apply the colors vary from season to season and location to location, even group to group. Some basic tenets are: utilizing your eye color, utilizing shading, matching your clothing, or your mood (in some groups black is always in). One neat trick is utilizing a color exactly opposite of your eye color. This will make your eyes stand out. For example, utilizing a rust color for blue eyes, burgundy for green eyes, etc.
Unless you’re going for a specific effect, eye shadow follows the same rules as the rest of your makeup tools; it should blend with the rest of your appearance, not stand out on its own.
Mascara
Mascara is usually the finishing touch to your eyes, or the only effort when dashing quickly out the door. Mascara gives your lashes a long, full look and frames your eyes. Mascara comes in variety of colors, but as an overall rule, black is best.
Mascara can waterproof or not. The kind that is not waterproof is less likely to smudge when you are applying it, because it drys quickly, and is easy to take off. Waterproof mascara drys slower and requires special makeup remover to get off. There is now mascara on the market that combines the two factors, and drys quickly while remaining intact when water is present.
Whatever type you choose, make sure and clean it off your lashes at the end of the day, and if you ever get an eye infection, toss the mascara. Get a new tube once the infection has cleared up.
Lip liner
Pencil or cream, liner outlines your lips, giving them a finished look. It can be used with a light gloss for summertime.
Lipstick
Lipstick finished off your look and protects your sensitive lips from the elements. A great rule of thumb when choosing your shade of lipstick is to take into consideration your skin’s hue and then have fun.
Most importantly, decide which feature you plan on highlighting. If it’s your eyes, use muted shades for your lips. If it’s your lips, play down your eyes. Highlighting both makes you look overdone and will add years to your face. |
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