Hello stylish readers. Ladies, today we’re talking make up! We shouldn’t go out looking good and then neglect the real completer piece which is our make up. As a matter of fact, did you know as a woman, no matter how good you dress, if your hair, nails and make up are a mess then your total look will be a mess also? that’s why every look must be complete with good nail, hair and make up especially the eyebrows.
So, if you really are not into that kind of stuff (make up) but want to get that complete look anyway, where do you start shopping from? what are the first things you get? You know you can’t log off this page without learning a thing or two, don’t you?so here we go:
For a healthy start, you should invest in great skin care- moisturizer, make up removers, serum, acne treatment, sun screen etc. Find great products that work for you, are affordable and easy to find in the shops and be loyal to them, that means no jumping from one product to another because you will end up confused by the millions of products out there and your skin will be also. I like alcohol free, perfume free products that do not dry out the skin and the closer to nature a product is, the friendlier I get to be! If you are like a million other moms and busy women out there who do not have enough time for the everyday facial routine, just get really good wipes that do everything from make up removal and cleansing to toning. I use this product called ‘Pure 3 in 1 make up removal’.It has a hint of a scent but also aloe and glycol. I still moisturize afterwards with natural Shea butter, one of the best moisturizer you can ever use. You do know that the older you get,the more interested you should be in moisturizing. A good moisturizer will help prevent dryness on your skin and who doesn’t need their skin looking plump and dewy all the time? you tell me!
When all that’s in the bag, then go for these:
Foundation/ Powder:
Foundation gives your make up an even surface to build from, a great foundation has to be your skin color, but note that if your skin is oily you could try a shade lighter because the natural oils on your skin will give the illusion of a slightly darker shade. Also make sure it’s SPF proof and one that moisturizes your skin. It is not compulsory to slather it all over your face all the time. If you don’t need much, you could apply just a little spread or use tinted moisturizer instead which is a great way to cut down on the clutter on your face.Also, your foundation once it’s opened should last you for about 6 months to a year before you change it and if you are brown or black-skinned, products like Bobbi Brown,Milani, Lancome, Black opal, Fashion Fair etc, make products specifically to include the brown and black skin range.
Powder is usually used to set the foundation, reduce shine and absorb oil but some are made with such good coverage that they could be applied alone without foundation. They come as cream, loose and matte finishes . For a lighter feel, translucent powder is recommended too.
Clinique Almost Make-up
Estee Lauder Invisible-Fluid Makeup
Maybelline Foundation
Laura-Mercier Foundation
Clinique Tinted moisturizer
LÓreal True Match Super Blendable Make Up
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
Concealer:
This is to hide blemishes and under eye circles. It’s very important to have concealer because you could wake up with a blemish without warning and it’s either you have your concealer on hand or you use multiple layers of foundation and you don’t want me to go there! Some concealers are so good you could use them as foundation too. When shopping, you should make sure the concealer is warmer than your skin tone, not necessarily lighter and if you have brown/black skin, get one with orange or golden undertone . Also make sure it’s creamy so it glides over your skin and not settle to create fine lines. To buy, test around the area below your ear close to your neck. I use a dermablend (maximum coverage) concealer called the ‘Black Opal Total Coverage Concealing Foundation’ in Nutmeg- 21 which matches my skin tone to the Tee! its fantastic for brown/black skin and when I use it, I forget I have bags under my eyes( an inherited blessing…or not!) It’s hypoallergenic, 2 in 1 which means it’s part concealer, part foundation and the container might be small but believe me when I say a little goes a long way! It doesn’t dry or flake and you can wear it all day! more good news- it’s so affordable! I got mine for about 2,000 Naira! I usually use my finger tips or a brush to apply my concealer as the sponge doesn’t give me the effect I want but there is this never-ending argument of what is best. I think what is clean and works for you is best.
These are some good Concealers in the market you could try:
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer although this works more to illuminate than conceal.
MAC Concealer
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
MAC Concealer
Esteé Lauder Concealer for dark circles.
Back Opal Total Coverage Concealing Foundation
Eye Liner:
Liquid or pencil, I would recommend black. The contrast it provides against your eyes is face defining! It enhances and defines your eyes.
E.L.F Precision Liquid Eyeliner
MAC Liquid Eyeliner
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in black
Mascara:
Some people would not leave home without their mascara on and for good reason- Mascaras enhance and define your lashes which in turn frame your eyes. One or two sweeps is ok because you don’t want to clump up your lashes. Black or brown is best but blue if you want a really dramatic look and if it suits your eye color. I use ‘ MAC Plush Lash Mascara’ and although the reviews are so-so about it, I like it. It instantly plumps and lifts the lashes and gives you that needed volume, it doesn’t flake and the applicator is a bit tricky because one side of the brush is short and the other long and I don’t really get the reason for that but you will get results if you use it. One noticeable ‘ Con’ though, was how it smudges a bit after some hours if applied to your under eye lashes. When you find a good mascara though, the best use time period is usually 3 months. We all exceed that but try not to go overboard and you definitely should not be caught pumping the wand into the bottle before applying it. It allows air to get in and dries it up quickly.
Others you could try:
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Maybelline Volume Express
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Yves Saint Laurent Volume Faux Luxurious Mascara
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Mascara L’Oreal Collagen
Eye Shadow:
This provides color for your eyes. A compact palette with a neutral to darker more dramatic shades best suited for your eyes for special occasions is best as neutral shades are what you may choose to use everyday. A good eye shadow should last you for at least 2 years.I use Sleek and MAC palettes:
Wet n Wild Sparkle – til- morning.
Sleek Vintage Romance Palette
MAC 12 Color Cream Eyeshadow Palette
Lipstick/Lip gloss/Lip liners:
You should have at least two lipsticks in your make up bag- one neutral color that matches your lips in either beige, brown or soft pink and make sure you get moisturizing lipsticks or glosses too, but if you are not sure, have a good moisturizing lip balm to use before you apply your lipstick. Lip glosses are good for those days you want a quick stained or colored look without the serious effect of the lipstick. For the best colors, first find out your skin tone so you can find the best colors-For fair skin: coral reds or dark reds with pink undertones. For medium or olive skin: pink and cranberry shades, and brick reds. For dark skin: reds with burgundy or brown tones.Also remember, when using bright color lipsticks, keep your eyes simple and vice versa so you don’t come off to heavy. Also try to avoid using exact color lipstick for your lips and clothes. Fire engine red dress and lipstick may be a bit too much for the eyes that have to look at you! That being said, good brands abound in lipsticks from Tom Ford to MAC, from Revlon lip glosses to L’Oreal. I must say one of the brands that has won me over is MAC. They’ve got colors that fit most skin tones like the “Ruby Woo Red”.
Lip liners are pencils that are used to line the lips when applying lipstick to keep the lipsticks in and gives off a perfect finish. Most lipstick brands make good liners in colors similar to their lipstick colors. If you have thin lips, trace your liner outside your natural lip line and if you have fuller lips either on your natural lip line or just inside. blend it in and then paint your lipstick inside. It also gives your lipstick a longer lip life span so always try to have some shades as close to your most frequently used tones as possible.
Pink-Perfection_pack-shot
Blush/Bronzer:
Blush adds color to your skin and warms up your complexion to appear fresh and vibrant. Bronzers add more color to your face too especially in areas where light naturally falls on your face. It gives light skin a tanned look without the sun damage and whether you use it daily or occasionally depends on you. Same as the blush.
Clinique Peach Pop Blush
MAC Modern Mandarin perm Blush
nyx Flamingo blush
Rimmel Natural Bronzer
Sephora Bronzer
Brushes:
Applying make up with a brush gives a smoother more professional finish, making one part of your make up blend right into the other from the foundation to the blush and eye shadow. There are specially made brushes that do these functions so you should ask at any store where you are shopping for them. The MAC brushes shown below are some of the brushes I own.
MAC Brushes
Other make up products you may want to have around:
Shine Eraser:
These are really light, sheets that are meant to blot out oil from your face. You can carry them in your purse and use when you feel the need to. I use the e.l.f Shine Eraser below which does a good job of blotting the oil off my face. It’s just so light I have to use more than two sometimes but they are so cheap it’s OK. They cost about 500 Naira in Nigeria. Other good brands include the Nutrogena.
Nail Polish :
Remember we talked about keeping your hair, make up and nails always looking good? Buy good quality nail polish and make sure you keep them clean and never chipped. I like those pastel and neutral colors but sometimes I enjoy those unexpected mixes or edgy colors that draw attention in a good way.
I like to have some lashes lying around too for any occasion that calls for it.
So there you have it folks, my A list in make up! and now I have got to sleep!
;))
Molekor
Photos: essie.com, blackopal.com
Tom Ford Bardot cat eye Acetate Sunglasses $356.12, my-wardrobe.com
Old Style by Molekor Old 