There’s nothing like applying some high-end makeup to get you feeling like a million dollars in no time, and a slick mascara, a few well-blended dots of concealer and a perfectly matched foundation will all go a long way when it comes to evening out skin tone and making you look instantly more awake. But for many, it’s all too easy too easy to find yourself applying the same products, day in, day out, and ultimately, falling into a rut.
We’re naturally creatures of habit, but with our favourite luxury beauty brands bringing us breath-taking new products to try seemingly by the day, it can be difficult to know where to start. And because most of us learned how to apply our makeup back in our teenage years, you could be forgiven if you’ve fallen behind when it comes to knowing the latest tips and techniques to get yourself looking fabulous.
The good news is, it’s easier to get out of that rut than you think – and according to the experts at online beauty store and training provider Clever Beauty, these four tips will change your approach to getting glammed up for good.
Learn the tricks of the trade
If you dream of being able to apply your makeup like the professionals, then tap into the huge body of content available on YouTube to gain valuable insight and learn how to hone your skills. There, you’ll find hours of incredible makeup tutorials with some of the biggest names in the industry demonstrating how to create a wide variety of different looks – as well as sharing some of their best-kept secrets for creating the ultimate show-stopping result.
It’s also possible to sign up to undertake a beauty training course online if you have the time and are really serious about upping your makeup game, or perhaps even thinking about becoming a professional makeup artist yourself.
Apply your concealer after your foundation
If you’re still applying your concealer before anything else, then it’s time for a rethink. When you think about it, it’s easy to see that putting concealer onto the skin then blending foundation over the top is a sure-fire way to undo all of your hard work and targeted application to disguise under-eye bags and dark circles. So instead, blend your foundation thoroughly into your skin to disguise any redness and discoloration first then dot concealer on in a triangle shape pointing down towards the apple of your cheek.
Then, use a small, fluffy brush to blend it before gently buffing in a thin layer of powder to set it, ensuring your concealer is nice and smooth and not sitting in any fine lines before you do so. The result? A smooth, crease-free finish that will last all day, provided you choose the right products. Look out for the ‘Enlighten’ concealer at Jane Iredale stockists Clever Beauty if you suffer with particularly dark shadows or hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliate your lips before applying lipstick
There’s nothing like a dry, flaky lip to ruin a lipstick’s chance to shine, so exfoliate thoroughly with a gentle sugar scrub or give them a quick brush with a dry toothbrush before you apply to slough away dead skin cells and create a soft, smooth base. Better yet, apply a thin layer of a moisturising lip balm and allow it to sink in before going in with your colour. And opt for satin finish lipsticks that glide on if you’re particularly prone to dry lips, as matte formulas will only further highlight a rough texture.
Use a spoolie to groom your brows
The groomed brow look is still going strong in 2022, but if you haven’t got the time to shape, shade and tint as often as you’d like then summer is the perfect time to embrace a more natural look. It’s still easy to enjoy a groomed effect with minimal effort – just use a spoolie brush to comb them upwards and outwards to maximise your natural shape, no power or pencil required. If your shape is a little uneven, then by all means, add a few subtle hair strokes with your favourite brow product to even them out, and set with a clear brow gel to achieve the current laminated brow look we’re all enamoured with this year.
