Alright...Finally time for another blog post after what seems like too long. I have a lot of ideas lined up it was just a matter of getting around to it in between sleepless nights and 2 needy children. Make that three, forgot about the husband ;).
Who knows me well knows I'm obsessed with makeup. And over the last few years I've come across some great tips and tricks to a flawless makeup application that has great staying power throughout the day. So here are my 10 tips for achieving this along with some favourites of mine.
XoXo
Saira
1. Wash and Exfoliate - Working backwards but also a key ingredient to healthy looking skin is washing your face properly in the evening and getting rid of all makeup, dirt and toxin build-up. Exfoliating your face is an absolute must. Whether you have dry, normal, or combination-oily skin, and whether your skin is sensitive or not, exfoliation is important.
My favourite exfoliator has been by Forever Living Products (check out my previous post for more info). However last week I began using the Clairisonic Mia 2 to try and combat some of the issues I've had with my skin.
2. Moisturize - hydration is key. Make sure that after cleansing you apply a moisturizer. Selecting the appropriate cream for your sking type is also important. In the morning I use an Origins moisturizer that's light but hydrating and refreshing and at night I use a Joisie Maran argan oil (light) to provide extra moisturization for my skin especially in these dry winter months.
3. Prime - a lot of people do not use a primer before they apply makeup. However it is important to do so. Selecting a good primer will ensure you have a flawless makeup application by filling your pores and making them less visivle and allowing for a longer days wear for your makeup. My absolute favourite primer is the light photofinish primer by Smashbox.
4. Conceal - conceal all dark spots, blemishes and scars before applying your foundation. The concelear you choose should usually be slightly lighter than the shade of foundation that you wear. This will ensure that once you apply your foundation your concealer doesn't stand, and it will also allow you to brighten up your undereye area. My absolute holy grail is MAC pro longwear concealer.
5. Select appropriate foundation - there is nothing worse than an oily person wearing an extremely luminous foundation...or the opposite...a person with very dry skin wearing a truly matte foundation. While there are foundations out there that sometimes allow for an exception to this, these scenarios will usually not work.
6. Application - choose a good applicator for your foundation. This can make a world of difference in how your makeup looks. The three methods I have used that I would recommend is the flat top kabuki brush by Sigma, a Beauty Blender sponge or your fingers.
Who knows me well knows I'm obsessed with makeup. And over the last few years I've come across some great tips and tricks to a flawless makeup application that has great staying power throughout the day. So here are my 10 tips for achieving this along with some favourites of mine.
XoXo
Saira
1. Wash and Exfoliate - Working backwards but also a key ingredient to healthy looking skin is washing your face properly in the evening and getting rid of all makeup, dirt and toxin build-up. Exfoliating your face is an absolute must. Whether you have dry, normal, or combination-oily skin, and whether your skin is sensitive or not, exfoliation is important. My favourite exfoliator has been by Forever Living Products (check out my previous post for more info). However last week I began using the Clairisonic Mia 2 to try and combat some of the issues I've had with my skin.
2. Moisturize - hydration is key. Make sure that after cleansing you apply a moisturizer. Selecting the appropriate cream for your sking type is also important. In the morning I use an Origins moisturizer that's light but hydrating and refreshing and at night I use a Joisie Maran argan oil (light) to provide extra moisturization for my skin especially in these dry winter months.
3. Prime - a lot of people do not use a primer before they apply makeup. However it is important to do so. Selecting a good primer will ensure you have a flawless makeup application by filling your pores and making them less visivle and allowing for a longer days wear for your makeup. My absolute favourite primer is the light photofinish primer by Smashbox.4. Conceal - conceal all dark spots, blemishes and scars before applying your foundation. The concelear you choose should usually be slightly lighter than the shade of foundation that you wear. This will ensure that once you apply your foundation your concealer doesn't stand, and it will also allow you to brighten up your undereye area. My absolute holy grail is MAC pro longwear concealer.
5. Select appropriate foundation - there is nothing worse than an oily person wearing an extremely luminous foundation...or the opposite...a person with very dry skin wearing a truly matte foundation. While there are foundations out there that sometimes allow for an exception to this, these scenarios will usually not work.
6. Application - choose a good applicator for your foundation. This can make a world of difference in how your makeup looks. The three methods I have used that I would recommend is the flat top kabuki brush by Sigma, a Beauty Blender sponge or your fingers.
7. Conceal and brighten undereye area - covering up dark circles is soooo important. Leaving them uncovered will make you look sick and tired. Literally! I prefer to use regular concelear to cover circles and then a peachy/salmon colour highlighter to brighten up my undereye area and further counteract the dark circles. I like using MAC prep + prime highlighters in Radiant Rose and Light Boost.
Tip: salmon counteracts dark circles and green counteracts blemishes. This is why in professional concealer palettes you often find these shades.
8. Set with powder - Unless you are super oily I do not recommend setting your entire face with powder but your T-Zone and undereye area is a must. This is not only the oiliest part of the face but also the part of our face that moves most often as we make expressions. Setting with powder (translucent for everyday wear) will keep everything in place.
9. Set with spray - best tip I can give anyone is to set all of your makeup once applied with a setting spray. This will help your makeup look achieve perfection and will allow your makeup to last longer. I like using MAC's Fix + spray as well as Urban Decay's All Nighter.
10. Live Clean - flawless makeup starts and ends with hefalthy looking skin. Lord knows I've had my challenges on this front with hormonal brakeouts. One thing to always be cautious of is what you eat and drink. Most importantly avoid greasy foods and drink pleanty of H2O.
