Makeup Beauty Tips

Having previously worked in both the film and TV industry for several years before venturing into the realm of published writer, if there is anything I've learned during those long hours on set, it's been how to beautify myself, even on days when I'd rather not even get out of bed. Though there are many types of women in the world, there's not one out there that doesn't like to feel beautiful. Whether she's a high fashion glam babe working as an editor of a prestigious fashion magazine or a Midwestern woman working in a chicken coop, all women can connect on one common ground and that is the desire to feel beautiful with little or no makeup. Here are some tried and true makeup and beauty tips for all women in the world looking for simple ways to add beauty with flair and panache to their everyday lives.

Prep Work

Want to make your makeup last longer once it's applied? Well, the secret is in the preparation and not necessarily in the product you're using. Before applying makeup, you must start with a clean, moisturized face, oftentimes referred to as a canvas in the makeup world. Cleanse with facial cleanser - not soap; which can be too harsh and drying for the sensitive skin on the face, and then follow with toner all over from hairline to neck, including your eyelids. The best way to do this is either add the toner to a refillable mister bottle or use a cotton makeup pad and gently wipe allover your face. Allow the toner to dry, which generally takes two or three minutes. Next, apply moisturizer. This not only moisturizes the skin, but it also plumps up your pores so that the makeup isn't absorbed into your skin as fast. Wait for the moisturizer to soak up into your skin which takes about five minutes depending on how dry your skin is. Once the moisturizer has had time soak in, you can now begin applying your makeup.

Makeup Application

Foundation

Which comes first, the foundation or the concealer? Though many women may have been taught by their mothers to apply concealer first, it's actually counterproductive to do that. Place the concealer onto the facial surface first and it will end up getting wiped off or moved around once the foundation is applied to it. Foundation is called foundation for a reason. Its purpose is to set the 'foundation' for all other makeup to adhere to. Just as when a house is built, first a foundation is poured. The same principal applies to makeup as well. Apply foundation with either a makeup sponge or a foundation brush. If you'd like the foundation to appear dewy and with less coverage, then mix a bit of foundation with your moisturizer and apply it to the face. Always, always, always make sure to blend the foundation into your hairline, your ears and your neckline. A common mistake many women make is stopping their foundation application at the jaw line. This is a big no no. The purpose of makeup is to enhance ones own natural features, not to use it as a mask. Blend it well into your neck to create a seamless appearance.

Once the foundation has been applied, set it with a light dusting of powder with a concentration on the forehead, nose and chin, also known as the T-zone, the areas of the face more prone to become shiny from the skins natural oils. Even if you have dry skin, powder is an essential item to have on hand. Facial powder comes in both pressed and loose form. Use whichever suits your fancy. If you are unsure of what shade to use, many cosmetics companies also offer Transparent powder. It has the same effect of hindering shine, yet it doesn't alter the shade of your foundation once applied.

Concealer

After applying powder to set the foundation, it's time to apply concealer if you so choose. For precise concealer application, use a concealer brush to apply it or if you're in a pinch and don't have a concealer brush, another option is to use a pointed cotton swab. Apply concealer in a light tapping motion on and slightly around a blemish or spot on your face you'd like to conceal. Then, apply powder over the area or areas to set it. It should stay in place for several hours without needing a touchup.

Eyes

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then eyebrows are the framework to the windows of the soul. Want mesmerizing eyes? Then, create the perfect eyebrow arch. Plucking ones brows can be painful and oftentimes difficult to achieve the perfect, symmetrical shape so a great tip is to schedule an appointment at a local salon that also does waxing. Brow waxing generally costs around $15-$20 and once you get your brows professionally shaped, you can do maintenance at home with a pair of slant tip tweezers to pluck stray hairs that will sprout two to four weeks after the waxing. It's really not that painful and a precise arch can be created in mere seconds. A couple of tips regarding brow waxing - it's best to schedule the appointment for the week after your menstrual cycle because the body is less sensitive to pain during that time. It's also a good idea to take a couple Advil about an hour before your appointment to help combat the discomfort from the waxing too.

Apply light strokes of an eyebrow pencil to the eyebrow area to fill in any sparse areas where hair may not grow as thick. For more natural eyebrows, it's ideal that they be one or two shades darker than your hair color. Bleached eyebrows can make you look washed out and super dark eyebrows can look fake. Once your eyebrows are filled in, next move on to applying eye shadow.

An eye shadow quad is the best way to go if you are unsure of how to match coordinating shades together on your own. Apply the lightest color in the quad just under your eyebrows and along your brow bone. Next, apply one of the two middle tone shades to the eye lid and lastly apply the darkest shade in the quad to the crease of your eyelid. To make your eyes appear more alive, extend the darkest shade that you just applied to your crease, outward about an eighth to a quarter of an inch past the outer edge of your eye and angle it upwards towards your temple. Apply a coat or two of mascara to only the top lashes. Avoiding the bottom lashes makes the eyes appear more open. To open your eyes up even more, use an eyelash curler on your top lashes prior to adding mascara. Hold the lashes in place for a good twenty to thirty seconds and then release.

Blush

Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks in a light sweeping motion with a blush brush. First, tap the bristles onto the blush palette, then lightly tap off any excess product. Gently sweep the bristles over the apples of your cheeks towards the top of your ears. If the color looks too light, apply another layer by repeating the steps again. If you accidentally apply too much blush, which is a common mistake, just take a clean powder puff and lightly press and lift it over the area until the desired intensity is achieved. The excess color will come off onto the puff.

Create the perfect pout

Line your lips on the outside edge of your natural lip line with a lip liner pencil in a shade that closely matches your own lip color. Apply the liner with feathered strokes instead of one solid line for a more natural appearance. Next, feel in the outer portions of your lips with the same lip liner, leaving the center of both your top and bottom lip without any pencil color. Apply your lipstick shade to your entire top and bottom lip with a lipstick brush. Next, dab a small amount of clear gloss to the center of the top and bottom lip to create the illusion of fuller lips. Viola! Instant collagen!

Aromatherapy

Now that you know how to apply your makeup effectively, let's delve into other ways women can beautify themselves. To be beautiful on the outside, one must feel beautiful on the inside first. If you're relaxed and at peace on the inside, then you'll naturally glow on the outside. Aromatherapy is a great way to boost ones mood, though a word of caution. If you are pregnant, you should consult with your doctor before using aromatherapy of any kind. It can have adverse effects during pregnancy depending on what you use. However, if you aren't pregnant and want to venture into the world of aromatherapy, lavender is a great calming, mood enhancing scent. Lavender is my go to scent I reach for most often. I like to apply a few drops of the oil to my bath water and I also have it in a spray bottle that I use to spray my pillowcase with at night. Lavender, as well as the scent of vanilla are great calming smells that can help you feel relaxed and at peace. If you are relaxed and at peace, you're more apt to feel beautiful too!

Undergarments

Oftentimes women skimp when it comes to undergarments, but this is one of those things that you should really consider spending the extra money on. Wearing sexy lingerie like red silk bra and panties underneath your work clothes as opposed to that ratty old bra you've been wearing for the past five years and those cotton granny panties is proven to boost a woman's self esteem. By wearing something slightly racy under your usual 9 to 5 garb, you'll have an extra pep in your step. A couple of my favorite sources for inexpensive, yet sexy lingerie are Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of
Hollywood. Both offer a wide array of styles and colors as well as a great product return policy. Items can be purchased in store, via a catalog 1-800 number or online.

Hairstyles

Women often get into a rut when it comes to their hair style. Try something different every once in a while. If you have straight hair that you generally just pull back into a ponytail, then try wearing it loose with curls for a change. If you typically have curly hair, why not purchase a straightening iron and straighten your hair? Little, non committal things like those mentioned are great ways to beautify yourself.

Lifestyle

Eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water are keys to achieving an ethereal, healthy glow to your skin. Of course, it won't happen overnight, but you can expect to see results within two weeks as long as you stick to it.

So, the next time you aren't feeling like the dazzling self that you really are, try one of the tips mentioned above. They'll take you from ho-hum to va-va-va-voom in no time!