Tips and Tricks for beauty mistakes
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:59 pm
(Taken from MSN Beauty page)
Clumpy Lashes
Q: My lashes are very light, so I need to use mascara. But when I put it on, I'm left with clumps and stuck-together globs. Are there any application tricks that will give me a more natural effect?
A: When asked what cosmetic item they can't live without, most women say mascara. That's because it can make your eyes look wider, clearer, and prettier with just a flick of a wand. Here, some tips on getting a flawless -- not clumpy -- application:
*Keep mascara fresh. A good guideline is to use mascara for three months, then toss it. Not only will buying a new tube after three months minimize your chances of eye infections and irritation (which can occur if you use old mascara), it will also help nix clumps, since mascara can become thick and gloppy -- and transfer clumps onto your lashes -- when it's old.
*Wipe off excess. When you remove the mascara wand from the tube, use a clean tissue to gently wipe off any globs of product (there's usually one at the very tip of the brush). Cleaning away these clumps means that they won't wind up on your lashes.
*Allow the wand to "air dry" for a moment. Some makeup artists say that allowing the product on the brush to dry a bit before applying it helps the mascara go on smoother.
*Sweep from lash base to tip. Use one motion to move the wand from the base of your lashes to the tips.
*Allow coat one to dry before applying coat two. Applying another coat before the first coat has dried is likely to cause clumps. Instead, give each coat a minute to dry before adding another.
*Comb through lashes to finish. No matter how expertly you apply mascara, you can still end up with clumps sometimes. Use a plastic eyelash brush (found in drugstores, usually coupled with a brow brush) to separate lashes.
Wrong Lipstick Shade
Q: I have been searching for the perfect nude lipstick and thought I found it in the drugstore. But when I got it home, the shade looked terrible on my skin! Is there any way to salvage it?
A: Drugstores are great places to buy cosmetics. The prices are cheap, they offer a wide range of brands and shades, and they're less intimidating than a department store counter. But the downside is that you can't try on colors, so you risk ending up in the predicament you describe. The good news is that you probably can salvage your lipstick purchase! Here's how:
*Become a cosmetics artist. Professional makeup artists rarely use one lipstick shade on its own. Instead, they mix two or more colors to create the perfect effect. You can do this in several ways: Apply your "off" lipstick first, and add another color on top. Reverse and apply a deeper shade first, then top with the not-quite-right shade. Or blend a few colors on the back of your hand until you achieve a good result, then apply the newly mixed shade with a lip brush. Try blending your nude with a berry or deeper brown color to make it work for you.
*Alter the shade with lip liner. Wearing your nude lipstick with a colored lip liner can also change its shade for the better. Experiment with a red, salmon, or chocolate liner, applying it to the whole lip, and then slicking the lipstick on top.
*Add some gloss. Perhaps your lipstick shade actually works with your skin tone, but its texture is what you find objectionable. In that case, try wearing lip gloss with a bit of shimmer over the lipstick to give it a sexier finish.
**If you try the above ideas and you're still not happy with the lipstick shade, you have a final option: Return it. Many drugstores accept cosmetics returns, even if you've used a product. Check with a manager for your store's policy.
Cakey Foundation
Q: I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror at work and was horrified to see that my foundation looked cakey and mask-like! How can I get a more natural look?
A: Foundation application can be tricky, and if you don't get it just right, you wind up with the too-made-up look you describe. Surprisingly, getting it just right is easy if you know the tricks:
*Trick #1: Find the right formula. Use your skin type to choose. For instance, if you have very oily skin, an oil-free, matte formula will work best for you. If your skin is on the drier side, a cream or whipped moisturizing formula is your best bet. Using a foundation that works against your skin type -- a moisturizing foundation on oily skin, for example -- can cause base to cake or flake.
*Trick #2: Find the perfect shade. Foundation is one product worthy of a splurge: If possible, go to a department store cosmetics counter to buy your base. The makeup artists who staff cosmetics counters are trained to match foundation to skin, and the better your base matches, the more natural it will look. Two great foundation brands: Prescriptives and Bobbi Brown.
*Trick #3: Prep your skin. If your skin isn't in good shape to start, there's no way your foundation can look good. Begin with freshly washed skin to give the foundation a clean base. If you tend to be dry, apply a light moisturizer after you wash. And if your skin is excessively oily, apply a mattifying solution to skin. Allow these products about 10 minutes to sink in before applying foundation.
*Trick #4: Apply with a brush. This relatively new type of makeup brush makes applying base easy, clean (no foundation-covered fingers), and allows you to blend more effectively than any other application method. Use a cotton swab to dot foundation on forehead, cheeks, chin, and down nose. Then blend the foundation downward and out toward your hairline with the foundation brush. Use a cosmetic sponge to buff the edges of your foundation. Finally, top with loose powder to lock foundation in place.
Over Plucked Brows
Q: I accidentally over plucked one eyebrow -- now my brows are uneven and one has a bald spot! What can I do?
A: Tweezing can be tricky, and even the best home-plucker's can take off too much sometimes. To make your brows look their best as you wait for them to grow in, try these tips:
*Tip 1: Retire your tweezers (temporarily). Plucking to make your other brow even invites disaster. Give your over-tweezed brow several weeks to grow in before wielding the tweezers again.
*Tip 2: Fill in with a pencil. It's easy to camouflage a bald spot in the brow with an eyebrow pencil. Choose one in a shade that matches your brows; note that brows are often ashy in color (not warm or red, unless you're a redhead). Sharpen to a point, then gently soften the tip by rolling it onto the back of your hand. Use short, upward strokes to apply pencil to the bald spot and across the whole brow. Fill in the other brow with pencil to keep things even.
*Tip 3: Set with brow powder. Your pencil will last longer if you lock it into place with powder applied on top (this helps you avoid having half your brow smudge off during the day!). Use a powder that matches your brow pencil, and apply with a stiff-bristled brush in the same upward strokes you used to apply your pencil.
*Tip 4: Consider a professional plucking. As your sparse brow grows in, you may want to seek the help of a brow expert at a salon or spa. She can tweeze and wax your brows into a natural, polished shape; all you have to do is pluck away strays as they grow in.
Disappearing Lipstick
Q: I apply lipstick every morning, but after one cup of coffee, it's gone. How can I make my lipstick really last?
A: Fading, feathering lipstick is a challenge for many women. But there are steps you can take to keep yours in place longer. Begin by choosing the right formula. Creamy, glossy formulas contain lots of emollient ingredients, which make them likely to smear off. Matte or opaque formulas contain fewer emollients, so they have more staying power.
Once you've chosen a longer-wearing formula, pick a lip liner that matches your lipstick shade. Next, it's time to apply. First slick on a thin coat of lip balm and give it about ten minutes to absorb. When lips feel soft but no longer moist from balm, line them all the way around. Then fill in the entire lip with pencil, too. Lip pencil acts as a magnet, keeping your lipstick locked in place longer.
Next, apply your lipstick. You'll get the best result by applying with a lip brush, but straight from the tube will do, too. Blot lips by placing a tissue over them and gently pressing the tissue with your fingers.
Now, place a clean tissue against your lips and using a fluffy powder brush, dust translucent powder over the tissue. The powder is fine enough to sift through the tissue, leaving the lightest color-locking layer on your lips. Finish by applying one last coat of lipstick and gently blotting with another tissue. This application technique should dramatically increase your lipstick's stay-on time!
Concealer That Won't Blend
Q: I bought a new concealer to hide my dark circles, but when I wear it, it makes the skin under my eyes look wrinkled and dry. Help!
A: Concealer can work miracles on dark circles and other skin blemishes. But achieving a flawless result requires some work. To get perfect under eye coverage, try these tricks:
*Begin with eye cream. Because the skin under the eyes is naturally drier than that on the rest of the face, it usually needs a moisture boost. This extra moisture actually makes concealer glide on more smoothly, too. Allow eye cream to sink into skin for at least 10 minutes before applying cover up.
*Use a brush. Applying concealer with a finger or straight from the tube is messy and gets product where you don't really need it. A brush allows you to apply precisely, which means concealer will go only where you need it.
*Go sparingly. Too much concealer is worse than none at all, because it settles into even the finest lines and gives a conspicuous, caked-on look. Start with just a tiny bit of concealer; add more only if dark circles are still visible after your first application.
*Be gentle when blending. If you rub concealer into skin to blend, you'll wind up simply wiping the product right off. Instead, use your ring finger to pat in concealer.
*Check your formula. If the above tricks don't work, you may want to switch to a creamier concealer formula, such as a liquid applied with a wand.
Clumpy Lashes
Q: My lashes are very light, so I need to use mascara. But when I put it on, I'm left with clumps and stuck-together globs. Are there any application tricks that will give me a more natural effect?
A: When asked what cosmetic item they can't live without, most women say mascara. That's because it can make your eyes look wider, clearer, and prettier with just a flick of a wand. Here, some tips on getting a flawless -- not clumpy -- application:
*Keep mascara fresh. A good guideline is to use mascara for three months, then toss it. Not only will buying a new tube after three months minimize your chances of eye infections and irritation (which can occur if you use old mascara), it will also help nix clumps, since mascara can become thick and gloppy -- and transfer clumps onto your lashes -- when it's old.
*Wipe off excess. When you remove the mascara wand from the tube, use a clean tissue to gently wipe off any globs of product (there's usually one at the very tip of the brush). Cleaning away these clumps means that they won't wind up on your lashes.
*Allow the wand to "air dry" for a moment. Some makeup artists say that allowing the product on the brush to dry a bit before applying it helps the mascara go on smoother.
*Sweep from lash base to tip. Use one motion to move the wand from the base of your lashes to the tips.
*Allow coat one to dry before applying coat two. Applying another coat before the first coat has dried is likely to cause clumps. Instead, give each coat a minute to dry before adding another.
*Comb through lashes to finish. No matter how expertly you apply mascara, you can still end up with clumps sometimes. Use a plastic eyelash brush (found in drugstores, usually coupled with a brow brush) to separate lashes.
Wrong Lipstick Shade
Q: I have been searching for the perfect nude lipstick and thought I found it in the drugstore. But when I got it home, the shade looked terrible on my skin! Is there any way to salvage it?
A: Drugstores are great places to buy cosmetics. The prices are cheap, they offer a wide range of brands and shades, and they're less intimidating than a department store counter. But the downside is that you can't try on colors, so you risk ending up in the predicament you describe. The good news is that you probably can salvage your lipstick purchase! Here's how:
*Become a cosmetics artist. Professional makeup artists rarely use one lipstick shade on its own. Instead, they mix two or more colors to create the perfect effect. You can do this in several ways: Apply your "off" lipstick first, and add another color on top. Reverse and apply a deeper shade first, then top with the not-quite-right shade. Or blend a few colors on the back of your hand until you achieve a good result, then apply the newly mixed shade with a lip brush. Try blending your nude with a berry or deeper brown color to make it work for you.
*Alter the shade with lip liner. Wearing your nude lipstick with a colored lip liner can also change its shade for the better. Experiment with a red, salmon, or chocolate liner, applying it to the whole lip, and then slicking the lipstick on top.
*Add some gloss. Perhaps your lipstick shade actually works with your skin tone, but its texture is what you find objectionable. In that case, try wearing lip gloss with a bit of shimmer over the lipstick to give it a sexier finish.
**If you try the above ideas and you're still not happy with the lipstick shade, you have a final option: Return it. Many drugstores accept cosmetics returns, even if you've used a product. Check with a manager for your store's policy.
Cakey Foundation
Q: I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror at work and was horrified to see that my foundation looked cakey and mask-like! How can I get a more natural look?
A: Foundation application can be tricky, and if you don't get it just right, you wind up with the too-made-up look you describe. Surprisingly, getting it just right is easy if you know the tricks:
*Trick #1: Find the right formula. Use your skin type to choose. For instance, if you have very oily skin, an oil-free, matte formula will work best for you. If your skin is on the drier side, a cream or whipped moisturizing formula is your best bet. Using a foundation that works against your skin type -- a moisturizing foundation on oily skin, for example -- can cause base to cake or flake.
*Trick #2: Find the perfect shade. Foundation is one product worthy of a splurge: If possible, go to a department store cosmetics counter to buy your base. The makeup artists who staff cosmetics counters are trained to match foundation to skin, and the better your base matches, the more natural it will look. Two great foundation brands: Prescriptives and Bobbi Brown.
*Trick #3: Prep your skin. If your skin isn't in good shape to start, there's no way your foundation can look good. Begin with freshly washed skin to give the foundation a clean base. If you tend to be dry, apply a light moisturizer after you wash. And if your skin is excessively oily, apply a mattifying solution to skin. Allow these products about 10 minutes to sink in before applying foundation.
*Trick #4: Apply with a brush. This relatively new type of makeup brush makes applying base easy, clean (no foundation-covered fingers), and allows you to blend more effectively than any other application method. Use a cotton swab to dot foundation on forehead, cheeks, chin, and down nose. Then blend the foundation downward and out toward your hairline with the foundation brush. Use a cosmetic sponge to buff the edges of your foundation. Finally, top with loose powder to lock foundation in place.
Over Plucked Brows
Q: I accidentally over plucked one eyebrow -- now my brows are uneven and one has a bald spot! What can I do?
A: Tweezing can be tricky, and even the best home-plucker's can take off too much sometimes. To make your brows look their best as you wait for them to grow in, try these tips:
*Tip 1: Retire your tweezers (temporarily). Plucking to make your other brow even invites disaster. Give your over-tweezed brow several weeks to grow in before wielding the tweezers again.
*Tip 2: Fill in with a pencil. It's easy to camouflage a bald spot in the brow with an eyebrow pencil. Choose one in a shade that matches your brows; note that brows are often ashy in color (not warm or red, unless you're a redhead). Sharpen to a point, then gently soften the tip by rolling it onto the back of your hand. Use short, upward strokes to apply pencil to the bald spot and across the whole brow. Fill in the other brow with pencil to keep things even.
*Tip 3: Set with brow powder. Your pencil will last longer if you lock it into place with powder applied on top (this helps you avoid having half your brow smudge off during the day!). Use a powder that matches your brow pencil, and apply with a stiff-bristled brush in the same upward strokes you used to apply your pencil.
*Tip 4: Consider a professional plucking. As your sparse brow grows in, you may want to seek the help of a brow expert at a salon or spa. She can tweeze and wax your brows into a natural, polished shape; all you have to do is pluck away strays as they grow in.
Disappearing Lipstick
Q: I apply lipstick every morning, but after one cup of coffee, it's gone. How can I make my lipstick really last?
A: Fading, feathering lipstick is a challenge for many women. But there are steps you can take to keep yours in place longer. Begin by choosing the right formula. Creamy, glossy formulas contain lots of emollient ingredients, which make them likely to smear off. Matte or opaque formulas contain fewer emollients, so they have more staying power.
Once you've chosen a longer-wearing formula, pick a lip liner that matches your lipstick shade. Next, it's time to apply. First slick on a thin coat of lip balm and give it about ten minutes to absorb. When lips feel soft but no longer moist from balm, line them all the way around. Then fill in the entire lip with pencil, too. Lip pencil acts as a magnet, keeping your lipstick locked in place longer.
Next, apply your lipstick. You'll get the best result by applying with a lip brush, but straight from the tube will do, too. Blot lips by placing a tissue over them and gently pressing the tissue with your fingers.
Now, place a clean tissue against your lips and using a fluffy powder brush, dust translucent powder over the tissue. The powder is fine enough to sift through the tissue, leaving the lightest color-locking layer on your lips. Finish by applying one last coat of lipstick and gently blotting with another tissue. This application technique should dramatically increase your lipstick's stay-on time!
Concealer That Won't Blend
Q: I bought a new concealer to hide my dark circles, but when I wear it, it makes the skin under my eyes look wrinkled and dry. Help!
A: Concealer can work miracles on dark circles and other skin blemishes. But achieving a flawless result requires some work. To get perfect under eye coverage, try these tricks:
*Begin with eye cream. Because the skin under the eyes is naturally drier than that on the rest of the face, it usually needs a moisture boost. This extra moisture actually makes concealer glide on more smoothly, too. Allow eye cream to sink into skin for at least 10 minutes before applying cover up.
*Use a brush. Applying concealer with a finger or straight from the tube is messy and gets product where you don't really need it. A brush allows you to apply precisely, which means concealer will go only where you need it.
*Go sparingly. Too much concealer is worse than none at all, because it settles into even the finest lines and gives a conspicuous, caked-on look. Start with just a tiny bit of concealer; add more only if dark circles are still visible after your first application.
*Be gentle when blending. If you rub concealer into skin to blend, you'll wind up simply wiping the product right off. Instead, use your ring finger to pat in concealer.
*Check your formula. If the above tricks don't work, you may want to switch to a creamier concealer formula, such as a liquid applied with a wand.
