How do I wear and apply makeup?

Question

I'm in my 20's and have never worn makeup but I would like to finally start. I need help from you ladies out there on how exactly to find the right colors for me and how to even apply it. I have brown eyes and white skin that never gets any sun. I have acne scars from my teenage years and it lowers my self confidence immensely since I can tell that is all strangers focus on at times. What would be a good cover up to hide that?

Answer 1

Mineral powder foundation is the best for controlled coverage.  Plus, it's one step for maximum coverage, flawless finish, and shine control.

Go to my website: www.marykay.com/meganwojtas and follow these steps to figure out what colors look best for your face type, shape, hair color and eye color:

www.marykay.com/meganwojtas

Click on: What's New

Click on: NEW! Virtual Makeover

Feel free to send me a message on the site for a discount on your first order!!

Answer 2

Concealer would be the obvious option to hiding your acne scars, however, I recently discovered a great mask that helps exfoliate and get rid of your acne scars (it's long-term, however, so you're not going to see results in like a month)

If you're just starting off with makeup, I'd recommend getting some mascara, pencil eyeliner, blush and lip gloss. Those are items I started up with - As you get more experienced, you should start using liquid eyeliner, lipstick, and of course, eyeshadow. It really depends on what kind of look you are trying to create.

For a natural look, all you need is:

- Concealer

- Foundation (to make skin virtually flawless)

- Eyeliner (line top lids ONLY, lining the bottom will make it more obvious that you're wearing eyeliner)

- Mascara (this could be optional depending on the thickness and the length of your mascara, if your lashes are like mine, which are straight and medium-length, then invest in a good eyelash curler and a curling mascara, or at least one that holds curls well)

- Blush (for a natural flush, however if you already have pink cheeks, there's no need to ever buy blush, except for maybe when you're wearing a frosty lip gloss, which can make your face look washed out)

[If you're not much of a blush person, a bronzer's not a bad idea either)

- Lipstick (for a natural look, either choose a pink-ish nude color or just nude)

- Lip Gloss (optional, depending on whether you want some shine or not, or if you don't like lipstick but would like some color on your lips, choose a natural colored lip gloss [pink, peach, nude])

Sorry if my answer is too long, if you have any questions email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

Well, I started to wear make-up when I started to enter high school.  Anyway, I would start out with the colors that would match my skin tone, and eyes. It would depend on the brand of make-up you are using,  I use like maybelline or how you spell it! Lol, anyway, and also, covergirl. Some CG are good and some are not.

1. I put on a little bit of concealer since I had some terrible acne scars from middle school, I wouldn't exactly use my fingers that much because it can cause some oil to the face, I sometimes use them a little and then use a sponge or brush to do my face. You shouldn't put concealor around your eyes like eyelids-I don't know why but I was told that.

2. Then sometimes I would put on foundation and then mineral powder or use powder alone. Blending is the key.

3. Then I would use an eyebrow pencil and do my eyebrows since I hardly have any, I do 4 light strokes and then blend them, then I put on mascara on my eyebrows to make it natural, sometimes I put on eyeshadow on my eyebrows but not all the time.

4.With my eyes, I use an eyeliner, start at the inner eyelid and then start drawing out smoothly toward the outer corner of the eyelid.

5. Then I would use my curler to curl my eyelashes since my eyelashes don't curl, and also, makes your eyes alittle bit bigger and bright I guess. While curling my eyelashes, I count to about 10-30 seconds. I sometimes blowdry my curler for about 7 seconds and then curl my eyelashes because it pretty much helps my eyelashes to stay (not against water though!)

6.Then I put on mascara, I go for volume,definition, length, and separation, I would start at the roots and then toward to the tips. I apply coats and not really let them dry till I am satisfied.

7.Then I apply eyeliner at the bottom, going back & forth for about 4 times or more at the corner of my eye and then smudge it w/ a sponge.

8.Then i apply mascara on my bottom lashes.

9.When i make a mistake on my eyes, I would use an ear q-tip to clean it up. Usually w/mascara on my eyebrows, if I mess up I clean it up with an ear q-tip along with lotion.

10. And there, I am done =)

I hope that helps....

Here is a pic of me before and after, of course my before pic doesn't show my scars because of the camera I used. In the before pic, I did wore some eyeliner

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj268...

Answer 4

Covergirl Aquasmooth is great.  It is easy to put on and it is really natural looking.  I have had a number of people comment on how great my skin looks and they usually think that I don't wear makeup.  Unfortunately, I'm beginning to sound like a commercial, lol, but I really do recommend it.

As for colors and ways to apply the makeup, you can go to most department stores and get a free makeover.  They will probably give you some good tips.  JCPenney's is a good place to go because the people aren't usually as s****. as they are at Nordstroms, and they won't make you feel really dumb for not knowing much.  You could also ask your girlfriends for a makeover.  Many of my female friends love giving makeovers.

Answer 5

Analyze your skin to see what type of skin you have: oily, combination, normal, dry, etc. Many cosmetic counters have someone there that can do a preliminary analysis of your skin, and recommend some products. If you are on a budget, see what the professional at the cosmetic counter recommends, then go to your local drug store and find a similar product for way less money!

Start with a freshly-washed face (and hands, too). Get a facial, or do one yourself. You want your face to be a clear and smooth canvas for you, the "artist," to do your art. Use a good deep-cleansing mask. Do not exfoliate if you have oily or sensitive skin. It will spread bacteria around your face from the already existing blemishes. Use antibacterial soap if you have acne. Also be sure that you replace the towel you use to dry your face every week. Lastly, apply toner by taking a cotton pad that has been dampened in warm water and sweep it over your face. Toner will restore the pH level of your skin and pick up any remaining dirt.

Massage a light moisturizer into your face no matter what type skin you have, avoiding the eye area! This will help oily skin dry, and dry skin become smoother. Wait a few minutes for it to soak into your skin. After letting it sit for a while, rinse face with warm water, and pat dry.

Apply a sheer foundation that matches your skin tone.

To find the right one, go to the makeup counter at a local department store and have the artist there help you.

Wear illuminator to make your skin appear youthful and dewy compared with dull, matte makeup. Skin illuminators come in powder, cream, mousse, etc. L'Oréal, Revlon, Neutrogena, and other brands make them - it's like make up with tiny particles that reflect light.

Use a makeup sponge or wedge, starting around the hairline and working your way down. (Use the wedge for this routine because you can be more precise about where the make up goes.) If you want a proper look that looks as if it has been done by a professional makeup artist, try using a foundation brush.

Remember to apply the makeup all the way down to your throat area and keep blending so you can't see where the make up ends. Nothing is worse than looking like you have a mask on your face!

Around the eye area, do very light strokes inward, toward the inner corner of your eye. Don't apply it to your upper eyelid! All of the professional makeup artists say not to apply foundation to this area. This is why you need a foundation that matches your skin. If you want foundation to darken your skin then try putting it above your eyes, and see what you like. Be gentle with this part, because the skin is very delicate and sensitive here.

Remember to blend all the makeup into your hairline. (but not so that your hair is another color!)

Apply concealer to any red or discolored spots. In the corners of your eyes, where it's blue, and around the nostrils are good places for this. Do this after applying foundation, so you don't use too much (many makeup artists do this the other way around). First apply the concealer, then pat very lightly with your finger to blend. Only apply concealer to the area that you want to conceal. Afterwards, use the wedge to blend the concealer in with the foundation. Stand back away from your mirror to see if you have effectively concealed the areas. Try to stand about the distance away from the mirror that you stand away from people when you talk to them. Another way to conceal blemishes is to pat green concealer on the blemishes and red spots, then put foundation over top (the green reduces redness).

Apply a loose powder all over the face using a powder brush. Pat it into the powder; then, with a paper towel, tap the brush so the excess falls off the brush. Lightly brush across the whole face. Use a powder puff (small) to apply powder on the upper lid. Apply a bronzer to your forehead, cheeks, and chin, to give a sun-kissed look,if wanted.

Highlight your brow bone and cheek bones by applying a light powder just below the brow, and to the highest part of your cheek.

Apply a small amount of blush to the apples of your cheeks. Smile so you can see the apple of your cheek. Start the application at the apple and drag the blush outward toward your temple, following your cheek bone. Blend the color down a bit below your cheekbone in towards your earlobe.

If you added too much color to the brush, use the clear side of your wedge to blend it in more until the color is faded out a bit. Your cheeks should have a hint of color. You don't want to look like a clown!

Take a fluffy powder brush and blend everything together, so that there are no visible lines or excess powders.

Line your eyes. Lightly pull one closed eyelid straight to the side and line it with a brown or soft black liner. For a more appealing look, apply liner with very light strokes to the upper lid, stroking toward the outer corner of the eye. To blend, use an angle brush. For a more natural look dip the angle brush in some of your darker eyeshadow. Use a very light amount, or use the applicator tip. For the bottom lid, use a very light amount on the outer corner.

Put on the eyeshadow Most eye colors come with two or three colors on the palette. The lighter color is for the lid. The darker color is for the crease on the lid, just below the eye bone. Apply the lighter tone first to the lid, spreading upwards to near the crease. For this, use the applicator that came inside the package. For the darker color, using your eyeshadow brush, dip into eye color and tap the brush to lose the excess. Apply inside the crease of the eye. You can find the crease by looking straight ahead. Your eye makes its own crease. Blend the color toward the outer corner of your eye. Sometimes you can blend it around to the bottom lid, but very lightly. The lightest color is for under the brow bone. Use the applicator to apply right on the brow bone just under the brow line. Make sure to use the larger eyeshadow brush to blend all the colors.

Use eyebrow pencil color that is very close to your natural eyebrow color. Here you just want to fill in missing areas. (It might behoove you to visit a makeup person that can arch your eyebrows correctly. If you've never done it yourself, have someone do it for you.) Your eyebrow should look very natural. If you do apply eyebrow pencil to any part of your eyebrow, use the angled brush to blend it into your brow with very light strokes.

Use a lash curler first before applying any mascara. There are several mascaras to choose from depending on the look you want. If you have short lashes, use a mascara that will add length... if you have thin lashes, use a volumizing mascara. Never pump your mascara brush in and out of the mascara. This causes air pockets. Dip the brush in the mascara once and lightly wipe off the excess onto a paper towel. Looking downward, apply to the top lash with upward strokes. Start with the inner part and work your way outward. Do both eyes with two coats, then let dry. After a few seconds, do the bottom lids. It's better to apply to the very outer part of the lash on the bottom lid. This will open your eye more.

Line your lips with a liner that matches your lip color. Make sure your lip liner pencil is sharpened, but not too sharp. Line around the natural line of your lips. Trying to create a fuller lip by dragging the lip pencil outside your lip line is for professionals. Usually it makes you look like you're just plain bad at applying makeup! After applying your lip pencil to your lip line, rub your lips together so the lip pencil color spreads inside your lips.

Apply lipstick or lip gloss with a brush. It will spread it evenly. It's a good idea to brush your lip brush in your lipstick, then some of your lip gloss for a nice light shine. Blot your freshly painted lips lightly with a tissue.

Use a pressed powder to lightly powder the rest of your face, and the area under your eyes. Use very light pressure. Keep your pressed powder in your purse for touch ups.

[edit] TipsDon't apply harsh colors to cheeks especially if you have larger pores, this will help with the invisibility of your pores. If you don't have visible pores still use this tip because it will look fake and you will get the stripe that is mentioned a few tips down.

Focus on one part, or two at most, of your face. Don't use a bold hue of lipstick with stand-out eyeliner and a bright shade of blush. Instead, zero in on the eyes and lips, or blush/skin. Keep it simple; don't over-do your makeup applications.

Quality is always better than quantity. If you have $50 for your entire face, don't get 10 cheap things, get 4 good-quality things ($25 foundation, $10 mascara, $10 for blush, and then a $5 lip-gloss

When you apply eyeshadow, it's common for specks of color to fall onto your face. This is a pain to get rid of after you've already perfected your foundation. If this happens frequently, apply your eyeshadow first, clean up the mess and then apply foundation. Alternatively, if there are only a few specks, you can just very carefully pick them up off your skin with tweezers.

Eyeshadow sometimes falls onto your eyelashes and on oily skin, and it can smudge underneath your eye. To avoid this, use a make-up wipe or a cotton bud with a little make-up remover on it, and gently sweep it over your eyelashes from root to tip to pick up any leftover eyeshadow.

To prolong your eyeshadow staying power use an eyeshadow base. A really good one is Urban Decay Primer Potion (UK £9.50, US $15.) Or you can use a good vitamin E cream (this also moisturizes your skin)

Try to buy non-comedogenic makeup (it won't clog your pores; it says on the back if it's non-comedogenic.)

Make sure all of these colors go with your skin, eyes, and hair colours.

Use a liquid-to-powder Foundation to save time and

Answer 6

I suggest the book "The 5 Minute Face" by Carmindy!!

Answer 7

MAC Foundation, green, gold, and purple eyeshadow.

Answer 8

go to like bon-ton or macy's and ask them to help you with make up

Answer 9

Try Mineral Makeup.  I like Maybellines Mineral Power line of makeup.  I would try the powder to have more coverage.  

To find your color, alot of websites have a colormatch type thing where you pick what your skintone, eyecolor, and hair color is and they tell you what shades would look the best.  Its a hard thing to find your true color, even I have a hard time and I've been wearing makeup for years now.  

Good luck!!

Answer 10

taking Zinc and vitamin A are very good for your skin. The results are very similar to or better than using typical acne drugs like Tetracycline and Accutane.