Make-up demystified

Part 2 - The eyes

 

Make-up fashion can dictate us what are the trendy new colours and often we fall into the trap of buying a pretty box with a set of shades which months after are barely used and left forgotten at the bottom of our drawer. Follow few simple guidelines and you will reduce the amount of make-up you need to use and make the most of the make-up you already have.

Before considering applying eye shadow you can help brightening your eyes by giving them a good base. Cool products such as eye gel packs and masks give a fresh relaxing feeling while helping reducing puffiness or tiredness. Keeping your eyebrow well groomed with a neat shape is essential. The creation of an arch will give the impression of a lifted eye appearing wider and longer.

Treat your face like a canvas. Any good artist would invest in good tools. So should you! Make sure you have the following as your basic make-up tool box:

•    Powder brushes: Large, domed soft brush to dust off the excess powder.
•    Blusher brush: Smaller dome soft brush.
•    Foundation base brush/ sponges: A brush will allow you a better mix and precision. If only one foundation applied you can use a sponge for a light finish.
•    Eye shadow dome: Best to have 2 of them which will allow you to use a different one for the darker and lighter shades.
•    Angled brush: Great to work in the eye sockets as well as contouring eyebrows.
•    Lip brush: Gives much more precision than your lipstick itself.

Tired of doing your make-up every day and look for a quick fix? You are not obliged to head for the extreme solution of tattooing on semi-permanent make-up. Find the perfect eye shadow and eye pencil/liner that suits you. Make-up texture is key when you blend colours. This can be tricky and can be overcome with the right tool. Here is a list to help you choose from:

•    Powder eye shadow: The easiest to apply and blend. Be aware of the shimmer will accentuate mature skins. Best to stick to a matt finish then.
•    Cream and gel eye shadow: Easy to apply (use a brush for blending). Avoid in summer as it tends to be sticky and messy when too hot.
•    Pencil shadow: As long as the texture is soft, this is a very precise tool for upper and lower lids.
•    Eye pencil: The must have! Everyone should have one and preferably with a soft texture. Easy to smudge.
•    Eye liner: Great for maximum impact. You need a steady hand and precision while applying. Opt for a fine pencil for better results.
•    Mascara: It show-cases your eye. Waterproof is generally preferred, although if you don’t play sport or are heading for a romantic/dramatic movie you can wear a regular one.

These days most make-up brands will offer a handy set of shades. It is a good start if you are starting your make-up bag. The inconvenience lies in the neutrals often used to compose the palettes. You might end up buying 2 or 3 identical shades when choosing from those pre-sold in twos or more.
Which colours look best on you? Look at your skin tone. Here are some colours that work very well together:

•    Fair skins: Use naturals and preferably blue shades for a pink undertone, whereas peach, salmon colours for yellowy base.
•    Olive skins: Copper, gold, orange, cream, purples, bronze and chocolate
•    Buttermilk and toffee skins: Vibrant colours or more subtle shades such as hazelnut, plum, creams for a natural look.
•    Chocolate and coffee coloured skins: Strong colours like reds, purples, black, gold or for a more natural finish try ivory, browns, copper, bronze.

Regardless of your age or eye shape, you can play with your make-up, mix and match colours and fully express your creativity. 

Contact Nathalie Baur Renaissance Image for Make-up lesson details.

Make-up demystified

A simple guide for professional results

Part 1- Foundation

      Make-up is part of your look. Getting it right with your clothes and leaving out your face will ruin the look! I work with “real” people and good make-up allows your real beauty to shine through.

      You might feel lost while browsing for make-up products. So many to choose from! Following the latest trends is not always advisable. Make-up should reflect not only your personality, your mood but also your wardrobe and your lifestyle. So do your homework and look at the options. Don’t believe the marketing claims, believe your eyes. In choosing the best product for you, ask yourself the following questions:

•    Does the product really conceal?
•    Does it look natural?
•    Does it last?
•    Does it match your skin tone?
•    Is it waterproof?

"...different formulations...have a different coverage and effect."

      Skin changes regularly to help protect against the environment, pollution, extreme weather, as well as your personal health. Adapt your routine as your skin changes. While in summer you may use a light and dark foundation, you might opt for a lighter shade and more consistent texture in winter.  

      Take your time with foundation. Make sure to choose the best colour and texture of base for you. They come in different formulations and will have a different coverage and effect.

•    Tinted base (for those with little coverage needs);
•    Mousse base (better results on young skins);
•    Liquid base (an all round product);
•    Cream base (used for a flawless complexion when photo shooting and filming);
•    Compact base (easy to carry. Great for touch up);
•    Powder base (should only be used to top up foundation with a matt finish);
•    Long-lasting liquid base (used for heavy coverage. Fast drying product);
•    Cake base (used for heavy coverage and applied with fingers for a flawless and unnatural look. Ideal for photograph).

"...the most natural looking results like a natural canvas."

      Look for foundations that have highly concentrated pigment and a high degree of opacity that allow you to conceal skin discolorations or imperfections without using additional products. Any hyper pigmentation or other skin disorders should be checked by a doctor or dermatologist. Although many brands now offer hypoallergenic ranges make an educated decision on which one to choose. You may decide to cover a cold sore but you will be unpleasantly happy when you get in its place 3 more the day after. If in doubt don’t risk it!

      The key to any successful make-up application is to match your skin tone exactly to achieve the most natural looking results like a natural canvas. This is particularly important for men and children who may not apply make-up to their entire face, but only to the area to be concealed while having a photo shoot. To choose your skin tone shade, use natural daylight. This is the key to a perfect make-up. For best results, apply your make-up near a window. The second best option is to apply it under full-spectrum daylight bulbs. Here are the main variety of colours:

•    Pinky;
•    Yellowy;
•    Tan;
•    Beige;
•    Brown;
•    Dark brown.

"...seeking the best products and learning how to use them."

     Also, never choose your make-up shade by matching it on the back of your hand or on your wrist unless that’s where you’ll be wearing the make-up! Apply a little along your jaw line where your neck meets your face. If it disappears, you’ve got the right shade. If you see a stripe, you know you need to go lighter or darker until you can’t see where the make-up ends and your skin begins. Sometimes you may need to mix two shades to get the exact one, but the results will be worth the effort.

"Make up can be a reflection of your inner self or an emotional fortress."

     Practice makes perfect. Remember, the goal with make-up is to make yourself happy when you look in the mirror. Having the complexion you’ve always dreamed about may simply be a matter of seeking out the best products and learning how to use them. Be patient with yourself and relax; have fun with the process. Make up can be a reflection of the inner self or an emotional fortress. You’ll be amazed at what a transformation on the outside can do for you inside.

Products shown are colour me beautiful range.

For enquiry about make-up lessons email Nathalie or visit Renaissance Image website.