How to Use Makeup to Look Prettier

Each season new makeup trends come and go. Most of them are usually fun to try when you want to update your look or when you just want to look hot during a night out on the town. But for the most part you mainly want your makeup to enhance your looks and make you look prettier while still being practical. Here's a guide on achieving just that.

Add Moisture

Looking pretty means having a healthy exuberance and nothing kills that more than a dull dehydrated complexion. So before you apply your makeup make sure your skin looks healthy by using a gentle cleanser and exfoliator. Next apply a good moisturizer and give it a few minutes to absorb before applying your makeup.

Have a Good Foundation

Natural, fresh looking skin always looks pretty, so don't allow your foundation to cover up your glow.

First use a light concealer to hide dark under eye circles.

Next use a creamy or liquid foundation but if you have oily skin use oil-free formulas or stick to a powder foundation. If you only need light coverage, apply the foundation with a damp sponge for a sheer effect, and blend it only onto to the areas where you need it. For more coverage use a dry sponge, a light hand, and make sure to blend it in thoroughly.

If your skin is already in good condition skip foundation altogether and just swipe on a tinted moisturizer to even it out.

Lighten Up

The word pretty denotes innocence, girlishness, and youth, so it's important to keep the makeup on your eyes soft. That means no heavy eyeliner and no harsh colors.

Go for pale eye shadows colors like taupe, peach, pale green, rosy pink and lavender in shimmery or matte textures. Or try colors in the metallic family like pale gold, granite and silver but make sure they aren't very glittery or sparkly because you want to keep this look sweet not sexy.

Apply a thin layer of eyeliner then apply your eye shadow blending it only into the crease, to keep the look light, then add a classic mascara to make your lashes look slightly (not dramatically) fuller and longer.

Lip Service

Normally nude lip colors are always a winner, but not in this particular instance. Pretty conveys vitality and energy and nude is just bit too blasé and drab for this look.

I like colors in the pink family for this look, like peachy pinks, rose pinks, and even darker pinks like berry shades. If pink isn't your thing, go for warmer hues like apricot or coral.

The pretty look looks best when the lips look soft and juicy so feel free to use a sheer lip gloss. For more saturated color and less shine use a liquid lip color, or try a moisturizing lipstick. Avoid anything that looks matte or dry.

Get Cheeky

Blush is one of the best tools in creating a pretty youthful look, even a subtle color on the apple of the cheeks can make a big difference, but bold blush looks super sweet too.

Skip the tans and the bronze shades for this look because they also tend to look drab. For a natural glow apply a shade that matches the color of your cheeks when you're actually blushing, or go for peaches and pinks in warm or bright shades.