New and trendy ways to use your favourite makeup products
Tidying out your make-up bag may have been at the highest priority on your list of New Year's resolutions, but before you toss out that translucent powder or bottle of self-leather treater, find better approaches to make what you officially claim
work for you.
Tried and tested by Hollywood's top stars, these latest techniques offer an easy way to fresher-looking skin, a natural glow, stay-in-place eyeliner and more. Grab a make-up brush and read on..
BAKING
If Instagram and Kim Kardashian have taught the world anything, it's that there are more than a few ways to contour your face. But the latest technique the Kardashian clan is getting behind is baking – and we don’t mean cookies for Kanye.
"The purpose of baking is to set your base makeup and give a flawless, airbrushed finish," says celebrity make-up artist Gemma Wheatcroft of the powder technique that leaves skin looking poreless and creaseless while keeping foundation in place longer.
The pro, whose clients include Kylie Minogue and Daisy Lowe, recommends starting with a primer, followed by your regular foundation and concealer. Using a small, stiff but soft-ended brush, apply a very generous amount of loose translucent powder on top of your under-eye concealer, onto cheekbones and in the crease of your chin and jaw line. If you're wondering how generous to be with the powder, the key word is "very."
"Let the powder sit for five to 10 minutes, allowing the heat from your face to set the foundation and concealer," says Gemma. Using a soft fan brush, dust the excess powder off your face.
Some useful makeup product are:
Rodial Baking Brush, £40, rodial.co.uk.
Rodial Baking Powder, £29, rodial.co.uk.
GLOSSING
Everyone has a clear lip balm hiding in the deep recesses of their purse. If you thought that balm was only good for rescuing a chapped pout, think again. Glossing – using a translucent lip gloss or the newest category of beauty products, a face gloss – is the latest way to add a highlight to your face, but it’s not the highlight we’re used to.
"Glossing gives you a different finish, more of a wet, dewy texture," says Grace Lee, lead make-up artist for Maybelline New York Canada. One thing gloss is not is shimmery. You want to glisten, not sparkle. Apply your gloss "everywhere you would apply your highlighter – high planes of the cheekbones, eyelids are great, right underneath your brow bone," says Grace.
But unlike a highlighter, the pro stresses the importance of refraining from glossing the bridge of your nose or chin. "There is a fine line between looking dewy versus looking sweaty." For optimal control, apply with your fingertips.
"When you’re using a brush with this kind of emollient, it can get kind of messy."
Previous: Make Beauty Face Gloss, £19, makebeauty.com.
Milk Makeup Face Gloss,
