Professional Make-Up Tips

It may be a lack of sleep or ongoing stress, illness, just a bad day, or the morning after effect. Whatever the reason, there are days when every woman looks into her mirror and doesn't like what she sees.

Since our appearance - and feeling good about how we look - is important, it's good to know that there are ways to maximize our appearance, to look good even on a bad day. Understanding basic cosmetics can help but so can these professional tips and tricks.

One of the most obvious yet overlooked secrets to looking good is to begin with clean skin. Keeping skin clean and clear is so simple and yet many women ignore this beauty basic. Always remove all cosmetics before retiring for the evening and before applying any products, always wash face with a gentle cleansing agent (never use soap) and pat face dry with a towel. Do not scrub or rub vigorously and always splash cleansers away with cool water. Facial scrubs, beauty bars, and other liquid cleansers are recommended.

Most women believe that the first thing to apply is foundation. Despite the name, that's not true - experts advise that the application of a light moisturizer first is very important. Apply the moisturizer with fingers and allow it to soak into the skin before applying foundation. Although many women have a single shade of basic foundation, professionals know that a foundation wardrobe is necessary.

Lighter shades for the winter months when complexions are naturally paler are one way to accent complexion; darker shades for the spring and summer season can also enhance nature's coloring. Women should also have at least two shades of foundation for everyday use.

The first base foundation shade should be as close to natural skin tone as possible and the second foundation shade should be darker. Apply the lighter color then enhance with the darker shade on nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead in a cross shape. This helps to accent features and downplay any flaws. If applying a crème or pancake make-up base as foundation, choose a cosmetic sponge for application. Use disposable sponges to avoid causing skin irritation. Liquid foundations, however, are best applied using light fingertips. Be sure to blend any foundation make-up into the edge on both sides of the cheek, into the hairline, and beneath the chin. Nothing looks more amateur than a make-up line that ends rather than blends!

Cream concealers can cover everything from blemishes to birthmarks or scars. Remember that a little concealer is always better than a lot. Again, find shades that are as close to the natural complexion as possible. Always apply concealer over foundation. If powder is used, choose nothing but a translucent color and apply over both foundation as well as concealer. Powder, if used, is the finishing touch to a flawless face.

Before moving on to other tricks of the trade, another tip from the professionals is to apply foundation to lips before applying lip color. This coats the lips in preparation for the lipstick and also defines where the natural lip line lies, making it simpler to color just the lips and not surrounding skin. Perfect lips come from first outlining the lips with a lip pencil and then filling it with lipstick. Some lipsticks today are designed to be long lasting and it is great to choose one so that the color lasts and lasts throughout the day or evening.
Apply lip gloss over lipstick to seal the color and make those lips shine!

Another rule of thumb that women can use to look their best no matter what is to use quality cosmetic products. Forget about those bargain priced products and choose name brand cosmetics. All make up brands are not created equal and for the best look, it's wise to choose professional quality products. Many women find a particular line that they prefer and use products from the same manufacturer. This is a wise option; one recommended by make up pros.

On days when pallor robs color from both cheeks and complexion, choose bolder, brighter shades to bring out the highlights. Choose vivid reds or pinks for lip color and cheeks. Accent eyes with rich, vibrant shades and remember that the rule for eye color is to choose something that contrasts, browns with blue eyes, and blue tones for brown eyes. Another thing to remember that as women age, lighter eye shadow shades are kinder and not as harsh, thus enhancing and preserving the look of younger skin. Darker eye shadows can accent wrinkles or crow's feet around the eyes.

Use concealer along the edges of the face to make a face seem narrower. A little concealer beneath each eye can appear to remove dark circles, puffiness, or even bags. If minor acne is an ongoing problem, be sure to treat the zits with appropriate medication before using concealer to magically "remove" the offending pimples from sight. Concealer or a lighter foundation shade beneath the eyes can also make the eyes appear much larger. This can be much more effective than using a dark eye pencil to emphasize the eyes.

Using ice to minimize pimples is another professional trick that can reduce redness and the angry appearance of a zit. Never squeeze or attempt to "pop" a pimple because it can damage skin, spread acne, and look terrible!

Ongoing skin maintenance is another professional trick. A do-it-yourself facial or mudpack at least once a week can do marvelous things toward maintaining skin. Many products are available that allow home facials with very little fuss or effort. Facials help to tone and tighten the skin as well as to keep complexions clear.

Last but far from least, each woman should consult a beauty professional and have their colors done. This means to have a beauty counselor determine what colors best suit individual features. Hair color, skin tone, facial shape, eye color, lip size and shape, cheeks, and age can all be factors that help determine just what colors best accentuate natural beauty. A palette from pastels to earth tones is available - finding out what shades are most flattering can be key toward looking great even on a bad day!