Virtual Salon

How Much Time Should You Spend on Your Makeup?

15 minutes?
10 minutes?
5 minutes?
2 minutes?

No matter where you’re going, your usual routine should be no more than 15 minutes. The trick is to change your routine. There is no way that you can apply 15 minutes of cosmetics into a quick 5-minute regimen. You can still look pretty great in just a couple of minutes with your streamlined techniques. There’s just no excuse for looking naked, tired, or “war-painted” anymore.

For best result, always start with a fresh face. Think of your face as a blank canvas. You are the artist, and you must start with a clean slate. Your makeup will go on more smoothly, more evenly, and last much longer.

Foundation

A good foundation is the hardest-working cosmetic you will ever purchase. Choose one that is right for your skin type. An all-in-one foundation that gives adequate coverage is the combination liquid/powder duo found at every price level.

Do you look good in pure white? Look for “cool” shades.
Do you look better in cream or off-white? Choose “warm” tones.

Take a coral lipstick and pink lipstick. If your skin more closely resembles the pink, you have pink undertones. The closer match to the coral means that you have a “yellow” undertone.

Now you can take this knowledge and confidently choose your own color at drugstores and mass-merchandise stores.

Expert tip

To get the most out of your facial products, rub a small amount between your hands before applying. This action produces heat, making any cosmetic more spreadable.

Eyebrows

The eyebrow is the frame of the face. It is easy to “lift” the eye with a couple of quick strokes. Many great beauties are known for their distinctive eyebrows (think Brooke Shields, Cindy Crawford, and Joan Crawford).
Control your eyebrows with an old toothbrush or an old washed mascara wand.

WHICH TWEEZER?
Thin Tip
Good for gasping small, fine hairs and getting at ingrown hairs.

Slanted Tip
A versatile tweezer affording maximum control.

Square Tips
Best used for removing coarse hairs or several hairs at time.

MYTH: NEVER PLUCK ABOVE YOUR BROW.
Whoever thought of that one? You pluck where you need to pluck!

TECHNIQUE
Brush the brow upwards and outwards to define the natural line. Tweeze under the brow to form an arch. Soften the sting by rubbing the area with an ice cube. If you are completely clueless on what shape to make yore eyebrow, cut out an eyebrow from a magazine and stencil it on top of your own. Tweeze to trace the prototype.

SECRETS OF EYEBROWS
Eyebrows look best when filled in with a soft pencil or powder. The modern brow is neither too thick nor too thin. Undecided? Go to a professional for your first plucking. It’s most effective to work in bright natural light when tweezing. Soften the look of the brow by patting lightly with translucent powder. You can also substitute pale eye shadow to lighten a brow.

Eyes

APPLICATIONS
Wider-set eyes
To make your eyes look closer together, apply deep-toned shadow to the inner halves of the lids. Light-toned shadow goes on the outer halves.

Closed-set eyes
Open up eyes by brushing deep-toned shadow on the outer half of the lids. Blend from the center of the eyes out and up to just above the crease. Use a light shadow on the inner halves of the lids and just under the brow bone.

SECRETS
To make the whites of your eyes look brighter, use a light blue pencil under the eyes. Blue eye shadow lightly applied under the eyes works just as well.

Separate clumpy eye lashes with a lash comb available at beauty supply stores.

To get the best curl out of eyelashes, use a blow dryer to heat an eyelash curler about five seconds before using.

If you need to go from day to evening without starting from scratch, apply an eye foundation before shadowing.

Use waterproof formulations whenever possible.

Always wipe wands off before using to avoid clumping.

When applying mascara to bottom lashes, hold a tissue under the lash so that mascara doesn’t end up on the skin.

Are you an absolute klutz when it comes to lining your eyes? Use a shadow as liner, or steady your hand by leaning your elbow on a table when applying.

Applying False Lashes

False lashes should be applied after foundation and eyebrows.

1. Powder eyelids.

2. Curl eyelashes to blend in with false ones.

3. Apply glue to lashes, being sure not to touch the lashes themselves.

4. Use a small stick (a toothpick works well) to be more precise.

5. Make sure the lashes match by starting at the outer corner.

6. To blend false and natural lashes, apply a deep liquid liner over both.

MORE SECRETS…
Make your eyeliner last each time you sharpen it by putting in the freezer for at least 15 minutes prior to sharpening. This will ensure a perfect point with no crumbling.

Bend the tip of your mascara wand until it’s angled to resemble a dentist’s mirror. The wand will be easier to control, and the brush will give better coverage.

Pull your eyelid taut when applying eyeliner.

It actually helps to keep your mouth open when applying eye makeup. It keeps you from blinking.

Always apply liner a short, feathery brushes.

Neutral shadows are the most flattering to the eye.

Create a V-shape with a soft powder at the outer corner of the eyes to lift.

Lips

Lipsticks have three basic components:

1. Pigment: Determines the color.
2. Emollients: Carry the pigment to the lips.
3. Waxes: Give the lipstick its shape. Choose the best formula!

Safety tips

Keep container lids and caps tightly closed.

Keep all applicators clean.

Store eye makeup at room temperature.

Don’t let cosmetics sit on top of the radiator.

Use disposable products whenever possible.

Replace products often.

If a product produces an odor, toss it immediately.

Never rest an applicator on a public sink or vanity.

Never share your makeup.

Lipsticks also have three finishes:

1. Matte: The most lasting formulation. Not shiny. Flat coverage. (Caution: Pick one that’s not too drying.)
2. Creamy: Looks best when first applied. Gives the most even coverage. Available in widest array of colors.
3. Stain: Usually contains moisturizing ingredients. Gives only a hint or color. Wears off most naturally and discreetly. Most likely to have added sunscreens.

SECRETS
For a softer lip color, blend moisturizer into the lipstick.
To change the color of any lipstick, lightly apply yellow eye shadow on the lips as a primer. This will warm up any color.
Blend lip liner and lipstick together on the back of the hand for a longer-lasting look.
Of your lipstick tends to “bleed”, apply lipstick first, then line over it to set.
Create your own lip colors by mixing different colors and textures of lipstick.

Right from the Experts!
To achieve a pouty, sexy mouth, emphasize your lip by dabbing just a touch of gloss in the ceter.
To keep lipstick on while dining, keep lips off utensils. Use your lower teeth and tongue to do the work.
I f you feel that lips are unbalanced, use a lighter colored lipstick on the smaller lip.
A little bit of red or orange in the center of the lips makes them look fuller.

Bronzing powder

Ask any beauty what products she would most like to have on a deserted island, and the answer would most likely be her bronzing powder. This is the most versatile cosmetic you will ever own. Bronzing is the way to finish your face.

Forget blush! Use blush improperly and you end up looking like a circus clown or a road marker. This is why I suggest (no, implore) you use bronzing powder to add color to your face. It’s the perfect tool for nonprofessional to use to contour their faces. Use it on the cheeks, down the sides of the nose (to slim), under the jawline (to take away a double chin or drooping jowls), and to add color to the face.

You’ll find bronzing powder readily available at drug-stores, cosmetic counters – whenever your budget takes you. But please get some and use it! Why take risks with the sun when you can get a better sun-kissed look with this wonderful product?

Expert tip
Bronzer is absolutely elegant for creating a monochromatic look. Use it to shadow eyes, as a finishing powder for lips, to soften eyebrows, and as a finishing powder to set makeup. Don’t do too dark. A shade or two darker than your regular color is best.