Top 5 beauty questions, answered!
Q. Must I cleanse my face in the mornings? I know it may seem like a stupid question but it’s not like my face will get dirty while I sleep?
A. Believe it or not, yes!! While you may not need to remove make-up or grime from being outside around pollutants like car fumes, dust and so forth…
Your skin does need a wash in the morning. While you sleep, your skin is active, producing sebum and shedding dead skin cells and it’s best to give it a mild cleanse in the mornings. This will also soften your skin and make for a better basis for moisturiser and foundation application.
Q. I can never get the perfect liner! I’ve heard that lining my eyes with black liner will help them stand out- But how??
A. Yes, a black line close to your lashes will definitely help your eyes to stand out. Invest in a little pot of gel eye-liner, and then a small thin liquid liner brush or a fine angle brush. The gel eye-liners are a lot easier to work with than the traditional liquid liners. Dip the brush into the pot of gel liner, and then wipe off excess product onto the back of your hand (you may use this excess product again to enhance the line/or for the other eye) Make sure the brush is ‘sharp’ and neatly coated with product, then apply the thickest part of your liner to the area directly above your pupil as this is where the emphasis should be. Then use what’s left on the brush to wing a fine line towards the corners of the eyes.
Q. What must I apply first? Concealer or foundation? There are so many different ideas – I’m not sure?!
A. We recommend foundation first? Why? Well foundation application is all over the face, whereas concealer should be ‘placed’ only over areas that need it eg) pigmentation or dark circles or pimples etc.
So – one applies foundation, and then whatever the foundation doesn’t cover, gets concealed. Make sense? And remember ! Always use a thicker concealer to cover really stubborn marks and spots but a lighter, creamier one when using it under the eye area. Even if you have bad dark under eye circles, always try to use a liquid concealer for a more natural look. The area around the eyes is thin and sensitive, and won’t enjoy very thick concealer. It will sit in all the fine lines and make you look ten years older! Lather a creamy, liquid concealer instead for optimal results.
Q. I just love smoky eyes! Is there a ‘cheat’ way to get a great smoky eye, without having to buy all the fancy brushes and products?
A. Unfortunately, the best way to blend a beautiful smoky eye is with the correct brushes and tools. These do make all the difference! Investing in a few good quality brushes will never be a waste if you enjoy wearing a smoky eyed look. If however, you are desperate, and have few tools or brushes on hand, try this.
*Mix a small amount of dark eyeliner into a bit of your concealer on the back of your hand. Choose a colour that suits your eyes, it doesn’t have to be black! Dark grapes or bronzes look great as a smoky eye! Once blended well, apply to your eyelid and smudge into the crease or fold of your eye. Use a clean fingertip to pat and blend it well. Then, apply a dark eyeshadow of your choice over this to create a simple, yet effective, smoky eye! Voila!
Q. How do I glam up after work if I’m going out? I don’t have the time to spend and I need something quick yet effective?
A. Smooth skin out again by applying some concealer or powder to get it neat and tidy after a hard days work! Add blusher and gloss for a sexy pout! But here is the key – invest a pack of individual eye-lashes from Clicks @ R50 and some Duo-adhesive from MAC cosmetic stores. Then place just three or four lashes on the outer half of your upper lid. They are easy to apply yourself, and they will make you look and feel, instantly glamorous!
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Article by Donna Hay for www.thebeautybulletin.com