Everyone wants to have perfect makeup and skin, but who can afford it? Well, yes, richy-rich people, but seriously, how can non-richy-rich people get five-star quality makeup like the celebs? Here’s the answer!

First off, there are four main subjects of makeup that I found; skin, eyes, cheeks, and lips. (I’m not quite sure if skin and cheeks are different.) And I’m going to tell you about them all!

SKIN:

*Mastering the Basics 

To prepare a smooth canvas for your makeup, always start off with clean, moisturized skin. You’ll find that your makeup glides on and blends more easily.

1. Keep your skin free of buildup by using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night. When cleansing your face, do so gently in upward motion stokes - do not tug, pull or scrub too hard to prevent irritation.
2. Freshen up your skin with a toner containing ingredients that suit your skin type.
3. Indulge your skin and keep it hydrated with a moisturizer that is compatible with your skin type. Make sure your daytime moisturizer contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
4. Treat yourself to an at-home-facial 2 to 3 times a week. Use a mild cleanser, then exfoliate with a gentle scrub that contains exfoliants that are round and non-abrasive.
5. Apply a facial mask after exfoliating. Rinse off thoroughly and get a good night’s sleep!

Bonus Tip: Even when you’re steering clear of the sun, or it appears to be a cloudy day, always be sure your makeup foundation or moisturizer contains SPF 15 or higher.

*Secret to a natural, flawless look

1. Apply foundation to your cheeks, forehead, and chin using a foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingertips. Blend the foundation all the way to your natural hairline with long, light strokes.
2. Continue blending over the jawline and onto your neck to achieve a natural, seamless look. Check your face and neck in natural light to make sure the foundation is completely blended in all areas.
3. If under-eye circles or red spots remain, do not add more foundation; it can look heavy and cakey. Instead, try a concealer.

Bonus Tip: Choose the shade of your foundation carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches the tone of your jawline exactly. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look in natural light.

Bonus Tip: Begin by applying a small amount of foundation then increase amount to achieve the degree of coverage that suits your skin.

Bonus Tip: For daytime, mix your foundation with a light SPF moisturizer before applying for a smoother, more sheer application.

*Hide Imperfections

Concealer is more dense than foundation, allowing fuller coverage of trouble spots and hyperpigmentation (red areas). It can be used over foundation or on it own, and has greater staying power. Remember, a little goes a long way!

1. Since the skin under your eyes is more transparent, it tends to look dark, especially at the inner corner near the bridge of the nose. To even out the tone, concealer is a must. Using liquid concealer, gently pat over dark under-eye circles (don’t sweep it across the entire area), then blend with your ring finger.
2. To cover trouble spots and imperfections, apply a thicker cream concealer onto the blemish or flaw. Then lightly press with a makeup sponge.

Bonus Tip: Choose the shade of your concealer carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches your skin tone or one shade lighter. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look on your skin in natural light.

Bonus Tip: Prepare your skin with a light SPF moisturizer before applying concealer for a smoother application.

*Getting an all-day flawless finish

A light even dusting of loose powder sets foundation and concealer, giving your face a velvety, more natural finish. It also provides smooth blending for any eye makeup or blush to follow.

1. Dip a puff or powder brush in loose powder. Shake off excess to avoid uneven distribution, then apply powder over entire face and neck.
2. To maintain a flawless finish throughout the day, apply pressed powder using a sponge or clean powder brush.

Bonus Tip: Face powder can be used alone, over foundation or over your moisturizer for a natural, sheer, no-shine look.

Bonus Tip: For the closest color match, choose a powder shade that is 3 shades lighter than your foundation.

Bonus Tip: If you are over the age of 30, avoid powdering under the eyes as it can make fine lines and wrinkles appear more obvious.

Bonus Tip: Facial oil-blotting sheets help to remove excess oil and shine without disturbing your makeup. Carry them with you everywhere you go!

EYES:

*The Sophisticated Look

1. Apply a light eyeshadow over your entire eyelid from lash line to eyebrow bone, but not beyond.
2. Define the crease of your eyelid using a medium or dark shade. The deeper the shade, the more dramatic look.
3. To open up your eyes so that they appear livelier, place a dot of a light shade in the inner corner of each eye.

Bonus Tip: When choosing an eyeshadow shade, keep in mind that a pastel shade will look softer while a darker shade will appear more dramatic when applied.

*Creating Elegant, Dramatic Eyes

1. To create a gorgeous nighttime look, use light, medium and dark eyeshadow shades in graduated tones. Apply the dark shade along your lash line, the medium shade on the crease, and a light shade up to the eyebrow bone but not beyond. Soften and blend any hard edges so one color seems to melt into the next.
2. To open up your eyes so that they appear livelier, place a dot of a light shadow in the inner corner of each eye.
3. For a sexy, smoky effect, trace the upper and lower lashes with a dark shadow then smudge with a blending brush. To optimize the look, this can also be done over eyeliner.

*Applying Natural-Looking Eyeliner

For a natural-looking eyeliner and the illusion of lusher, fuller lashes, use a dark brown eye pencil and carefully press a series of dots between your lashes following your lash line.Bonus Tip: For the sophisticated look, draw a smooth fine line alone the top lashes.

Bonus Tip: To create the dramatic look, draw a line inside your lash line (as close to the lashes as possible), then along the top of the lash line.

*How to Get Brighter, Wider Eyes

Apply one thin coat of mascara to both upper and lower lashes. For a more dramatic look, allow first coat to dry completely then apply a second coat concentrating on the base of the lash.

Bonus Tip: For a real eye-opener, use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. Curl gently at the base of the lashes, but never beyond the center of the lashes. Don’t clamp down on one spot for too long or you’ll get a sharp angle.

Bonus Tip: Don’t pump the applicator wand in the mascara tube. Doing so will trap air inside and cause the mascara to dry out. Instead, twist the wand to collect more mascara on the brush.

*How to Get Well-Defined, Well-Groomed Brows

1. Brush your eyebrows straight up with an eyebrow brush. Using small straight scissors, carefully trim any hairs that are curly or too long. Then brush the brows back into their natural shape.
2. Hold a pencil along the side of your nose to ensure that the inner edge of your brow lines up with the inside corner of your eye.
3. Move the pencil so that it intersects with your iris. The arch of your brow should line up with the pencil.
4. Angle the pencil from the outside edge of your nose to the outer corner of your eye to determine where your brow should end.
5. Tweeze where necessary and fill in with a soft pencil or powder.
6. Brush with an eyebrow brush and apply eyebrow gel to keep strays in place. You’re done!

CHEEKS:

*Creating a Natural, Rosy Radiance

When applying blush, you want the color to look soft and natural, as if it comes from within. Read below for tips on how to put on make-up.

1. Tap or lightly blow on the applicator brush to remove any excess blush before applying to prevent a harsh and uneven application.
2. Apply your blush on the apple of the cheek and carefully blend towards your natural hairline.
3. If you have two shades, apply the darker one on the apple of the cheek first, then use the lighter shade to highlight. Blend well so there is no visible line between colors.
4. Highlight your temples, forehead and chin.

Bonus Tip: To know “where to glow” bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there and it will be naturally rosy every time.

Bonus Tip: Cheek color should be used to enhance your complexion, not to change your natural skin tone. Use sparingly for daytime, then add more or a deeper shade for a more dramatic nighttime effect. For special occasions, dust a lightly frosted powder over your cheekbones for a subtle but alluring glow.

Bonus Tip: Make sure to blend your blush into your foundation well or it will tend to look unnatural and add the appearance of 5 years to your looks.

LIPS:

*Shape Up Your Lips

Applying lipliner is not only a great way to define and accentuate the shape of your lips, but also to keep your lipstick from feathering.

1. Begin applyling lipliner at the center of your natural upper lip line to define the bow then work toward the outer corners to complete the line.
2. Start at one corner of your bottom lip then follow your natural lip line all the way to the other corner.

Bonus Tip: Choose a lipliner that matches your lipstick or a flesh tone shade for a soft, natural look.

Bonus Tip: To get plumper, pinker looking lips, do not touch up by drawing a hard lip line; smudge it so lips look fuller! For a more dramatic fullness, choose a lipstick shade with a hint of frost.

Bonus Tip: To avoid lipstick on your teeth, put your index finger in your mouth and then draw it out slowly with your mouth closed. What you see on your finger is what would have ended up on your teeth!

*Perfecting Your Pout

1. Apply color onto the center of your lips, blending up and out to the lip line working towards the corners.
2. For longer lasting color, gently blot with tissue, reapply lipstick and blot again.
3. For evening, remember to select a lipstick one or two shades deeper than your daytime color.

Bonus Tip: For a creamy effect, apply a lip balm to lips before applying lipstick.

Bonus Tip: For a matte effect, apply lipstick then blot gently with tissue.

Bonus Tip: For a sheer effect, apply lip balm. Gently dot a small amount of neutral color lipstick across lips, then smooth out.

Bonus Tip: For a glossy effect, apply lipstick then finish with a clear or nuetral color gloss coat for a moist, seductive shine. Remember, the more coats you apply, the more shine so turn up the volume!

*Getting Smooth, Soft, and Supple Lips

For smooth, soft lips, take a clean damp washcloth and gently rub lips for 60 seconds before applying lipstick.

Bonus Tip: For touch-ups during the day or night, carry a soft toothbrush in your handbag or makeup kit. Be sure to brush your lips gently.

Bonus Tip: Apply a lip balm or conditioner throughout the day to keep lips hydrated and protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

These are all the tips I could find, but if any of you find more awsome tips, share them below, or tell how these tips worked for you!

Like this article? Rate it!

Read More ... Catching that perfect guy Ingredients for a great girly sleepover !?! Catching that perfect guy - for shy girls Why gossiping can hurt you Flirting 101