Apply makeup like a pro

If you've ever wondered how to apply make-up, just know you're not alone. There are plenty of gorgeous products out there, but not all of us know how to apply them to our faces properly, and how to make the most out of them.But luckily, our beauty team have provided some invaluable tips when it comes to applying make-up…
How to apply make-up:

Less is more when it comes to concealer - too much can easily look cakey and draw attention to the area you actually want to cover up. Gently tap it on under your eyes and around red areas or blemishes with your fingers, building up thin layers, then blend in with a concealer brush if needed. Use a thin liquid concealer for under your eyes, and pot cream concealers for spots. These stick to the area better and you won't need as much for a good finish.

Dirty make-up brushes not only cause skin breakouts, but result ?in uneven make-up application. Put a little eye make-up remover in a cup and swirl your dirty brushes in it. Rinse in a solution of cleanser and water before fully rinsing under a running tap and leaving to dry.

Many make-up artists ?say your fingers are your best beauty tool. They're certainly great for applying low-coverage bases and cream-based products. ?Use them to smooth in tinted moisturizer and BB or CC creams, and to blend in cream blushers, bronzers and eye shadows. Just think about how much space that's going to save you in your make-up bag.

For full coverage with your foundation, use a brush or beauty blender. Your foundation brush should ?have very fine, tightly-packed bristles. A beauty blender will work just as well - just make sure you wet it and squeeze out the water first, as this gives a lighter application and prevents the blender from soaking up foundation.

If you've ever wondered, 'how to apply make-up', this method is key. Use the back of your hand as your palette, dispensing a little foundation there and picking it up with your chosen tool. Begin at the centre of your face, where redness and an uneven tone is more likely to occur, and blend outwards for maximum coverage where you really need it and a light finish elsewhere.

Cleansing your skin ?with a little micellar water in the morning makes for a more even make-up application. For even smoother skin, try a sweep of ?a gentle glycolic toner every other day. This lifts away dulling ?dead skin cells to ?give you a brighter complexion.

For mishap-free application, sweep the brush against the neck ?of the bottle to ensure it doesn't hold too much product, and concentrate your application on the mid-lengths of your lashes running up to the tip to add more length.

Prep your lips with a little concealer, then use a sharpened pencil, paying special attention to your Cupid's bow and the underside of your bottom lip. Blend with your fingers to soften the line before dotting on lipstick in thin layers and blending. Dot clear gloss in the centre of both lips for a full-looking pout.

You don't need to draw ?a solid line of eyeliner. Choose a soft, blendable kohl pencil and dot it on, keeping the dots close together, then use a fine liner pencil to blend them together in a smokey line. The overall look is very flattering and you don't need perfect hand-eye coordination.

Use a spoolie brush to groom your brows. For make-up free brows, simply dab ?on a little Vaseline, then brush through. If you use brow colour, finish with ?a few sweeps of a brow brush to diffuse the colour for a foolproof natural finish.

Enjoy your perfectly put together make-up look!


The writer is a freelancer