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Tag: face makeup techniques

  • How to Find the Right Blush for Your Skin

    Gone are the days when blush only came in pinks and peaches. Today, blush formulas and shades are more diverse than ever—powders, creams, liquids, gels, and mousses—making it easier to find the perfect option for your skin type and the finish you love.

    Below, you’ll discover which formulas work best for your skin and how to apply each one for the most flattering, youthful result.

    Powder, Cream, Liquid, or Gel—Which Is Right for You?

    Powder blush is still the easiest and most familiar option. If you prefer powder, look for formulas with soft radiance rather than heavy sparkle—large shimmer particles can accentuate texture and fine lines. Soft, diffused glow is your friend and brings a youthful look to mature skin.

    If your skin feels drier with age, consider moisturizing creams, gels, or mousses. These formulas melt into the skin, giving a flattering, hydrated sheen without settling into lines.

    Best Blush by Skin Type

    All Skin Types

    Best Choice: Liquid Cheek Stains
    Why They Work: Liquid stains are versatile. You can tap on a tiny amount for a natural flush or layer for a more vibrant, long-lasting pop of color.
    How to Apply: Apply quickly on bare cheeks or over light foundation before powder. For extra staying power, you can set the look by dusting a soft powder blush on top.

    Dry or Combination Skin

    Best Choice: Cream Blush
    Why They Work: Cream formulas avoid the dryness of powder and give the skin a soft, luminous glow. They’re especially flattering if your makeup tends to settle into dry areas.
    How to Apply: Apply on bare skin or over foundation using your fingertips or a sponge.

    • For round faces: Skip the apples of the cheeks. Instead, sweep color along the cheekbones, lifting up toward the temples for a slimmer look.

    Oily Skin

    Best Choice: Powder Blush
    Why They Work: Powder sits beautifully on top of the skin and helps control shine throughout the day. It’s also excellent for defined color and sculpting.
    How to Apply: Sweep powder in a soft “croissant shape”—starting at the outer cheek and curving inward—for a natural, lifted flush.

    Mature Skin

    Best Choice: Gel or Mousse Blush
    Why They Work: These lightweight textures blend effortlessly and give a soft, velvety finish. They offer color without emphasizing fine lines and are easier to work with than liquid stains.
    How to Apply: Using your fingertips, tap the color onto the cheeks, blending upward and outward.
    Important: Apply gels or mousses before setting with powder—once powder is down, you won’t be able to blend them properly.

  • Working with Airbrush Makeup

    Catherine Zeta Jones wears it. So does Jennifer Lopez. Why? Airbrush makeup creates a flawless face – almost as if you took your picture and ran it through Photoshop.

    Here’s how it works. A tiny amount of specialized foundation makeup is mixed with a few drops of water, and then sprayed onto the face with a wand. The result is a sheer, yet full coverage. You end up wearing less foundation, but with a flawless finish. It even hides under eye circles and rosacea.

    Tools for At-Home Airbrush Application

    airbrush compressor

    airbrush wand (sometimes called a pen)

    hose (connects the wand and the compressor)

    makeup foundation

    bottled water

    First time users can get this equipment in a kit. After that, all you will need is the foundation. Expect to pay from $120 to $600 or more as your initial investment. Once you’ve purchased your kit, the only further cost is foundation, which can be about $20. Some companies are making smaller compressors, which are easier for home use and for travel.

    How to apply

    1. Place a few drops of foundation into the designated cup, along with a few drops of water. (Each brand will have its own instructions telling you specifically how many drops of each to use.)

    2. Hold the wand about 6 to 10 inches from your face, and spray the mixture in gentle circles over your face and neck. Never hold the wand in one place. Keep it moving. And don’t spray it into your eyes. Keep your eyes closed if you can.

    3. Let it dry. If you want, you can apply a second coat. After that’s dry, you’re good to go. No need for finishing or setting powder.

    What kind of foundation to buy?

    Airbrush makeup foundations come in two types: silicone-based and water-based. Many professionals recommend the silicone, saying that it creates a slightly more flawless look. You need to purchase dedicated airbrush makeup – you can’t use your regular foundation in these machines.

    Airbrush Pros

    Once airbrushed, you are good to go for up to 10 or 20 hours, with an average of around 16 hours. It won’t rub off on anything or disappear into your pores.

    If you’re sharing the makeup – at a wedding, for example – the airbrush system is sanitary, since it never actually touches the skin.

    Some of the kits and foundations can be used on legs, to conceal veins and discolorations. That means no panty-hose, ladies!

    Special effects, such as stencil tattoos, are easily applied.

    Airbrush Cons

    It’s expensive, especially at first.

    Applying the makeup is time consuming and requires the equipment, a power supply, a water source, and enough space.

    If you’re applying it on yourself and you’re alone, you’ve got to do at least parts of the application with your eyes closed. You don’t want to get the product in your eyes.

    You can’t throw it into your purse like you can with mineral makeup or regular foundation.

    If you use airbrush makeup a lot, you might consider some sort of face mask. No one has definitive information yet about how much of the product gets into your lungs.

    Still, that ultra flawless, pore-less even look is a very appealing idea. Some women even say the makeup hides some of their wrinkles. If you want that look, airbrush makeup is certainly worth a try.

  • How to use a Makeup Brush to Apply Foundation

    Learning how to use a foundation brush can mean the difference between a perfectly flawless face and an unpolished look. Foundation application can be tricky for everyone. Blending it into dry spots, sliding it over oily skin and trying to cover those spots and lines can be a difficult task but a foundation brush can make it easier.

    Blending

    A smooth finish is what is required if you really want to look your best. Using your fingers and the fingertips makes it very difficult to get this smooth finish, where as if you use a good quality shaped makeup brush you can.

    There are of course various oils in your fingers which can easily transfer to your face to make it look blotchy. This oil can also transfer itself to the makeup itself which can make it difficult to use in the future.

    I often see people out and about in pubs and clubs and can tell straight away whether they have used a brush or if they have just simply used their fingers. I know which person I find more attractive.

    Control

    It is far easier to control the amount of powder or other makeup you are using when you apply it with a makeup brush. If you use your finger tips it is very easy to use too much and your face can become plastered. This can look really horrible and is a huge turn off. I would be thinking, what are you trying to hide beneath all of that make up? It also shows a lack of self-esteem and confidence on the part of the wearer.

    This of course was not meant to happen and could have been avoided by using by a brush.

    Which type of brush?

    Most people believe that long handled brushes are by far the best for applying makeup, this is mainly due to balance.

    When looking to purchase these brushes you normally get what you pay for. I would certainly advise where possible to avoid the lower end of the market.

    When you look good, you feel good. It is a bit like wearing a new suit which you have spent a lot of money on. When you wear it for the first time to work or to a wedding, it gives you a bit of extra confidence as you know you are looking very smart.

    Good quality brushes should if used correctly last quite a long time, they need to be correctly maintained and cleaned however to keep to their maximum effect.