Makeup 101 | Basic Cosmetics

Makeup 101 - What is Makeup?

Makeup Articles

Makeup can be used as a tool to enhance ones natural beauty. With so many options and products in make up you can be as creative as you want. Most people use make up to enhance and or highlight attractive features of their faces and minimize or create shadows for features that are less attractive. Make up can help you create simple and elegant looks to dramatic and exotic looks. By understanding what different products are and how to use them we can better understand what is best for our needs, and how to pick what is right for us.

Basic Cosmetics:
There is a difference between quality of products and supplies when purchasing the right tools and supplies. The difference is the high quality products are the more expensive but by far help to create smooth and consistent applications. Good quality products use more expensive ingredients and can be better for your skin. Lets get started!

Foundation
Foundation is your base this is what evens out your skin tone and can hide minor blemishes or imperfections. What you might not realize is that it can also help you to defeat outside elements that can be harmful to your skin (ie. sun, dirt, and pollution.)

First determine what type of skin you have if you have oily skin you will want to choose foundations for oily skin. These are often called oil free or water based. These help to create a matte finish on the skin helping to hide blemishes and discolorations. Creams, stick and tinted moisturizers are ok for normal to dry skin types.
Second make sure to match the foundation as closely to your actual skin color. By matching as closely as possible you will avoid any contrast between the face and neck.

Concealer
Because concealers are usually apply thicker and heavier they are mainly used for small areas on the face. Allowing you to hide small blemishes and discolorations or to highlight areas you want to enhance. Concealers come in different colors and textures. Concealers can be worn with or without foundation. However, it is usually used as an aid to foundation.

Face Powder
As with all skin coverage face powder is also available in different shades and weights. Light and medium weights are best for dry to normal skin. Heavier is more effective for oily skin. Be sure to match your natural skin tone as closely as possible. Powder will give you a finished flawless appearance in the end.

Cheek Color
Cheek color is used to highlight natural facial contures and gives you a natural looking glow. Like all the rest you have many colors and textures to choose from; cream blush, powder (pressed and loose), and liquid. Wich ever you choose your cheek color should blend evenly and fade softly into your foundation.

Eye Shadow
Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to what colors to apply to different skin colors and coordinating hair and eye color. There really is no wrong or right when choosing colors only suggestions. Play with different colors and see what you think looks best on you. Remember light colors highlight and dark shadows. By using both together you can enhance and create dramatic effects to bring attention to your eyes. Generally, A darker shade of eye shadow makes natural color of the iris appear lighter, and lighter shades make iris appear deeper. Look for seasonal trends in magazines and make up ads and get creative and have fun.

Eyeliner
Eyeliners are another way to put emphasis on the eyes. When used close to the lash line it can give the impression of fuller thicker lashes and make eyes appear larger. Eyeliner comes in a variety of colors and textures; pencil liner, liquid, pressed and felt tip pen forms. For a more natural look you may want to use eyeliner and mascara that are the same color. Again, have fun check out what professionals are putting together for seasonal looks.

CAUTION - According to American Medical Association eyeliners should not be used to color the inner rim of the eyes, this can lead to infection of the tear duct and permanent discoloration of the mucous membrane lining of the inside of the eye.

Mascara
Mascara deepens, darkens, thickens, lengthens and defines the eyelashes. There are different colors and textures to mascara as well. When purchasing your mascara keep in mind what it is that you need to enhance your lashes; do you need to lengthen, darken, or thicken they have all kinds of products designed to each specific need.

Lip Color
Lip color comes in even more variety of textures and colors. Consider first what colors you like best, and do you want a certain style glossy matte lightly stained or heavily lined. New issues of magazines are the best resource for the latest trends and newest ideas.

Have fun with your choices pick things that you like. Remember with make up you can be as simple and elegant or as dramatic and daring as you want. Its all about what you like and how you feel.

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