Makeup 101 Tips

When it comes to stage or theatre makeup, you’re in a whole different ball game then everyday makeup. Stage makeup has to be much more pronounced and stand up to the pressure of hot lights, singing, dancing or acting, whatever the case may be. If you’re about to hit the stage or are the makeup artist behind the scenes, check out our tips on stage makeup below.

• Stage makeup is thick, creamy and layered on. It must be able to stand hot lights and stand out to people who are sitting in the last row, without looking clown like to people sitting in the front row.
• Foundation should be heavy cream foundation that’s either your exact skin tone or even slightly darker. Blush should be pronounced on cheeks for women and more subtle for men.
• Eye makeup is a bit more complicated. Be sure to use a white highlighter shade and contour shades. You basically want to create a look that’s an exaggeration of what you would wear in real life.
• Lip liner and lipstick is pretty much what you would wear in real life. For men choose a shade that’s only slightly darker then their natural lip color.
• Be sure to set everything with a light dusting of loose face powder so the makeup stays in place and doesn’t start melting under the lights.

It’s hard to believe, but makeup or some sort of cosmetic use spans about six thousand years of humanity. In fact, the very first account of cosmetic use traces back to the ancient Egyptians in 4000 B.C. who used lead, copper, burned almonds and soot to rim their eyes. They believed that eye makeup would ward off evil spirits. They also used berries to stain their lips. In China, women would stain their fingernails with gelatin, eggs, beeswax and more in 3000 B.C. In Japan geisha girls have been using rice powder and more for centuries.

In ancient times they used materials such as lead, copper, soot, burnt matches and more that we now know today to be toxic and harmful to our health. It’s interesting to read about the history of makeup and see how far we’ve come.

 

For women with sensitive skin finding the right makeup that won’t affect the skin can be very irritating – literally! Finding products that work with your skin can cost you lots of time and dollars. However, there are a few tips to help you in your journey for the right cosmetic products. Read the tips below for some help.

• To figure out whether you’re allergic to a product or not, do a spot test. Apply a small amount of the product on your inner wrist or behind your ear (where skin is the thinnest and most sensitive) and wait 24 hours for a reaction. If nothing, then you’re safe to use it.
• Create a running list of items that you have used with all of their ingredients. Over time you should be able to pin point what you’re allergic to, or what is bothering your skin.
• Look for buzz words like hypo-allergenic and fragrance free, as these will be less likely to irritate your skin. Clinique makeup is another good option and Clinique blush comes in a wide array of colors.
• Mineral makeup is another good product as it is organic and doesn’t contain potential irritants like, talc, oils and dyes.

Makeup isn’t just for the ladies anymore as more and more men are getting into using beauty products. You can choose to go full on like Adam Lambert, or go more subtle, either way, men now days aren’t afraid to wear makeup. So if you’re thinking about experimenting with some makeup, check out our tips below.

• If you’re not into looking like you’re wearing makeup but just want to cover some imperfections, then stick with the basics. First make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your skin as makeup application will be smoother.
• Find a concealer that’s a shade lighter then your skin to cover any imperfections. Use a brush to get the most natural looking coverage.
• Set the concealer with a light dusting of loose powder.
• Remember to use lip balm to hydrate cracked lips, just make sure it’s not shiny.
• Guyliner is the latest craze with rockers and hipsters all sporting the look. Use a black eyeliner pencil to line your upper and lower lashes.
• Be sure to find the perfect shade concealer for you to avoid looking like you’re wearing makeup. Also don’t cake on too much makeup, as you’ll end up looking like a dreaded pancake face.

Makeup is fun, artistic and a wonderful tool for women, yet it can quickly turn into a trip to the doctor’s office if not used correctly. While you may not think about, makeup can harbor all kinds of bacteria and diseases. Thus, makeup hygiene is an important aspect for every makeup wearer to know, as poor makeup hygiene can lead to disease and infections. Read about proper makeup hygiene tips below.

• Don’t store makeup in your bathroom. Bacteria and airborne microbes breed in bathrooms, and will no doubt get into your makeup.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before applying your makeup. A good tip is to keep a bottle of antibacterial gel at your makeup station.
• Wash your brushes at least once a week. Face brushes, such as a foundation brush, should be washed more often. Sponges should be washed or thrown out every couple of uses.
• Make sure makeup containers are closed as tightly as possible.
• Avoid using department store makeup testers at all costs. Studies have shown that they can harbor all kinds of diseases including e-coli.

Whether you’re a makeup junkie or not, almost everyone has been guilty of purchasing a makeup item that they’ve used only a few times and let sit in their makeup drawers. Yet, many women are unaware that makeup, just like food products, has a shelf life. Using old makeup may not sound like that big of a deal, but it can lead to infections and more because of all the bacteria it can harbor over time. Find out if you need to toss that mascara or keep it by reading our tips below.

• Foundation lasts around 6 to 8 months. If you’re dipping your fingers in the bottle toss it around 6 months, but if you have a pump you should be fine until 8 months. The same goes for concealers, while powder can go for 2 years.
• Eye shadow can last up to 2 years and the same goes for eye liner pencils if sharpened regularly. While mascara and liquid liner should be tossed after 4 months. Rimmel mascara is an affordable option if you’re worried about mascara going bad before you’ve used it all.
• Lip products like lipstick and lip glosses can last from 1 to 2 years. However, if it starts smelling rancid before then, make sure it goes in the trash bin. Lip liner pencils, if sharpened can last up to 2 years.
• Use these time frames as a guide for when to toss out makeup, but always throw out makeup that starts to smell funny or lose its constancy even if it’s before its shelf life date.

While many makeup companies no longer test their makeup on animals, they still do not use “green” materials or an eco-friendly means of producing their products.  However, with the recent initiative to go green, many companies have emerged that offer an eco-friendly alternative.  Yet, it can be hard to figure out exactly what eco-friendly or organic makeup entails.  Read the tips below to get an idea of what eco-friendly makeup is all about.

• Why go au natural? Well eco-friendly makeup uses only natural ingredients that are straight from the Earth and not a chemist’s lab. Thus you’re only using organic products on your face and not chemicals, which is better for your skin.
• Eco-friendly makeup is also less likely to clog your pores – meaning you’re less likely to get breakouts then as opposed to traditional makeup.
• Mineral makeup and mineral foundation are one of the most popular forms of eco-friendly/organic makeup. It uses natural ingredients that are free of dyes, fragrances, oils and more. Bare Minerals is a popular brand.
• Other eco-friendly makeup lines include: Aveda, Burt’s Bees, Physicians Formula Organic Wear, Cargo Plantlove, Josie Maran Cosmetics and more.

Makeup can be daunting if you’re a first time wearer. With so many colors and options it can be hard to know wear to start. Don’t be overwhelmed, there are a few things you can start with and slowly build from there. Read a few tips below to get an idea of what you’ll need.

• Start with a tinted moisturizer or a light foundation – don’t jump into full coverage, heavy foundations. Pick out a concealer for dark circles and imperfections. Also go for a translucent powder to dust over the foundation and concealer to set it and ensure it doesn’t melt off throughout the day.
• For eye makeup start with pencil eyeliner as it’s the easiest to work with. For eye shadows go for lighter colors to experiment with and make sure to get blending brushes (sponge tip applicators are a pain to work with).
• Start with neutral lipstick or lip glosses. Lip gloss is a great way to experiment with lip color without having full on color on the lips like lipstick will give you.
• Don’t be afraid to play around with your makeup and try out different looks. After all, practice makes perfect!

Your wedding is the most important day of your life, so it’s understandable that you want to look your very best. There are all types of bridal looks to choose from depending on the type of ceremony you have and it’s location. Before you plan out your big day, check out our tips on bridal makeup below.

• When it comes to bridal makeup you want to look like the best version of yourself. Go for classic looks and don’t fall for trends – you don’t want to look back at wedding photos that are dated (anyone remember the bright blue eye shadow of the eighties?).
• However, don’t shy away from themes. An old Hollywood, glamorous red lip looks beautiful, or even a soft smokey eye with neutral lips.
• Stick with soft colors like pinks, plums, taupes and browns for eyes and cheeks. Bright colors like blues, greens and more will make the look dated.
• Keep skin shine free yet, dewy and glowing. You want to have a youthful looking glow from within. If it’s a summer wedding you can even go with a light face bronzer to create a warm glow.
• No matter what make sure you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. Don’t wear something that you would never where otherwise. Either way all eyes will be on you on your big day!

It can be difficult to find makeup looks that are suitable for the office. You don’t want to overdo it, but you also want to look professional, neat and well rested. Makeup doesn’t necessarily have to be all about wild colors and dramatic looks; you can achieve a no fuss, well rested look with the help of our tips below.

• Stick to neutral colors on eyes. Brown and earth tone eye shadows are great. Brown and gray eyeliner is also a good choice. If you’re in a more relaxed office environment then you can wear black eyeliner on the top lid.
• Make sure your eyebrows are shaped and you can set them using clear mascara.
• Use a light coverage foundation that matches your skin tone. Blend it down your neck to ensure a seamless look.
• Stick with light pinks, light reds and nudes for lips. Don’t wear frost or glitter lipsticks or lip glosses. Do not wear overly shiny lip gloss either.
• Blush should be kept as natural as possible. Choose a blush that’s as close to possible as your natural flush. Not sure what that color is? Think of what your cheeks look like after a workout.

Ever seen celebrities who seem to be not wearing any makeup yet, they still manage to look radiant and as though they are glowing from within? Well it’s not that they aren’t wearing makeup; it’s that they are wearing the “natural” makeup look. It can be tricky to get the natural makeup look but with the right tips and tricks under your belt you’ll be able to pull the look off with ease.

• Natural makeup highlights your features and only uses colors that suit your natural skin tone.
• Opt for tinted moisturizer instead of foundation for a less heavy look. Use concealer under your eyes, on imperfections and to cover any redness. Then lightly dust with translucent powder.
• For eye makeup go with earth tone colors and use brown or gray eyeliner and mascara.
• Use a blush that is close to your natural flush and highlight the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, to get the “glow from within” look.
• Finish off with a light pink or clear gloss.

Deciding what makeup to wear and when to wear can be just as hard as finding the perfect shade of lipstick. While you can always wear whatever makeup you want to whenever you choose there are certain makeup looks that are better suited for certain times. Not sure when to wear what? Read our tips below to get an idea.

• Neutral makeup – meaning light, natural colored eye shadows, light blushes and neutral lip shades look best at work, school, in any professional setting. It’s also nice for meeting your guy’s family for the first time.
• More dramatic looks, like smokey eyes, red lips and more look great at parties, when going clubbing or a night out. For example red lips with a neutral eye would be great for a dinner date. Black eye shadow for a smokey eye is great for a fun night out.
• You can experiment with colors everyday; just remember if you work in a professional environment to keep the colors very light.
• Don’t go overboard with bright eye shadow, bright lips and bright cheeks all at once. If you’re wearing bright lips balance it out with neutral eyes and vice versa.