Make Up Tips...

As requested, here is a post all about make-up...

hmm.. i may not be an expert, u may correct me if i'm wrong, but i do know quite a handful about skincare and makeup..

so if u think my information or rather what i shared here is not to your liking, den u dun have to follow.. i mean this is my blog, so i share what i feel and what i know..

alright?

i'm trying to share what i know with the girls around, how they can make themselves look more presentable and feel more confident..

okay? ready?

so here we go..

The very first thing of natural, flawless and beautiful makeup starts with a beautiful skin...

if you want your makeup to look nice and stay long hours, do your skincare regime!!

What you'll need:

If you are a basic user, or starters, the basic 5 MUST-HAVE items are:

1. Cleanser/ Facial Wash (Whatever you call it)

2. Toner/ Lotion

3. Eye Care

4. Moisturizer

5. Sunblock

If you think you're an expert user, these are the complete regime for you:

1. Cleanser/ Facial Wash

2. Toner/ Lotion

3. Eye Care

4. Essence/ Serum
5. Moisturizer

6. Sunblock

Invest on a skincare range you think best suits you..

But you must be thinking how do you know which brands in the market suits you right?

Unfortunately the answer is to TRY, TRY and TRY.
Try to ask for samples or buy trial size before you buy a product from a new brand to you.

BUT do not expect that all the brands will have samples or trial size for you. So sometimes it will require you to spend money buying a full-size and try.

DO NOT blame the brand if it does not give you the desired result you want.

REMEMBER: The products are not made to suit YOUR skin. The product might have done wonders to many people but maybe it causes you break-outs. This is because everybody's skin structure is different and do not expect the product will work the same on you if it is a perfect one for your friends/family members. So it is definitely not the fault or blame of the beauty advisors or the brand that you bought the product from.

What to look out for when buying skincare products?

1. Know your skin type.

If you have oily T-Zone and your cheeks are fine, not that oily, you belong to the Normal and Combination skin type.

If you have oily T-Zone and U-Zone, you belong to the Combination and Oily skin type.

If you experience dryness all over, obviously you have DRY skin.

If you occasionally experience break-outs and skin may be quite oily sometimes, you belong to the ACNE (BLEMISH)-PRONE skin type.

2. Know your concerns.

There is a never-ending list of concerns for women regarding their complexion. The usual ones currently are:

-Dehydration (Dryness)

If you feel that your skin is lack of moisture, go for cleansers that are gentle and non-drying, toners that are alcohol-free and moisturizers that are rich in water (aqua). Given the climate of Singapore, it is rather rare for us asians to use moisturizers that are creamy and rich. So go for moisturizers that are light and feel fresh, preferably water-based but not necessary oil-free.

Even oily skin can have dehydration problem. And even the oiliest skin needs moisturizers, so remember to find the right one!

-Acne/ Blemish/ Pimples

For Asians, the above mentioned problems are most inevitable. You get it when the weather is too humid, when you're stressed, when you have your periods etc. For skin prone to break-outs, go for products that are oil-free, non-comedogenic, light and cleansers that cleanse your skin thoroughly. Use acne gel/cream on acnes and avoid squeezing. Keep face clean at all times and try to intake more fluids and eat more fruits. Getting enough sleep helps as well.

-Pigmentation

Caused by the harmful UV rays from the scorching sun and also ultraviolet rays from lights, computer screens. Wear a sunblock everyday even though you're staying indoor. Choose SPF level according to your needs. Doesnt mean that the higher is better. You have to choose one that is suitable to your skin. Some skin might not be able to take high SPF, but of course the higher would be better. SPF50, pa+++ is sufficient for everybody.

To lighten and diminish the appearance of pigmentation and brown spots, use whitening products. Whitening products does not whiten your face neither do they bleach. Good whitening products lighten brown spots, even up your skin tone and make your skin looks transparent, radiant and clear.

-Eye Bags/ Dark Eye Circles

Use eye care that help to reduce eye bags and dark eye circles. Drink sufficient water to facilitate the micro-circulation. Eye bags could be genetic, caused by water retention or insufficient sleep. So know your eye problems when shopping for eye care products.

-Oiliness

Use matifying yet hydrating moisturizers that help to matify (control shine) your skin. But at the same time, take note the moisturizers must also hydrate your skin while matifying if not your skin might turn too dry, which is no good.

I cant think of anymore concerns now.. so just stop here for now.

Morning Regime:

1. Cleanser

2. Toner/ Lotion

3. Eye Care

4. Essence/ Serum (optional)

5. Moisturizer

6. Sunblock

7. Liquid Foundation

8. Concealer

9. Loose/ Pressed Powder

10. Blusher

11. Colors

If you prefer 2-way foundation, then after step 6, use concealer then 2-way foundation.

But I personally prefer using liquid foundation, followed by loose powder.

Night Regime:

1. Make-up Remover

2. Cleanser

3. Toner/ Lotion

4. Eye Care

5. Essence/ Serum (optional)
6. Night Moisturizer

Once or twice a week, use Facial Scrub, then Facial Mask.

I use:

1. Biotherm's Acne-prone skin cleanser

2. Biotherm's alcohol-free toner for combination skin

3. Biotherm's anti-puffiness and anti-dark eye circle eye care

4. Biotherm's Whitening Essence

5. Biotherm's Acne-prone skin oil-free day & night moisturizer

6. Lancome's SPF 50 DNA sunblock

7. L'Oreal Eye Make-up Remover for waterproof mascara (cheap n good)

or u can use Biotherm's as well

8. shu uemura's cleansing oil

9. Biotherm's Facial Scrub for combination skin

10. Biotherm's deep purifying white clay mask

11. Neutrogena's deep hydrating mask (cheap n good too)

Applying your make-up:

1. Spread and blend your liquid foundation evenly over your face, either using your finger-tips or a foundation sponge. Apply liquid foundation over your eyes to prevent you from over-applying your concealer later. Choose a liquid foundation closest to your skin tone, try it over your jawline when shopping for one and compare the shade against your neck. Make sure it does not look too white on your face.

I use Biotherm's LIGHT Liquid Foundation in shade 405.

2. If you have severe dark eye circles, apply and dab concealer over your eyes and blend evenly so it does not look patchy and too "white". choose your concealer shade either one shade lighter than your skintone or try to find a shade closest to your skin tone.

I occasionally use Biotherm/ MAC concealer on acne/pimples.

3. Dust loose powder over the whole face to set your liquid foundation. By using a loose/pressed powder, it also makes your make-up last longer. However if you want a very natural and glowy finish, you may skip the step of the powder but make-up would not necessary stay long. Sometimes I do that on rest day when I do not want a very "well-done" make up.

I use shu uemura matt colorless loose powder.

4. Draw your eyebrows. They frame your face so they are very important. Have your brows trimmed by professionals and do not trimmed them too thin as it is not trendy to do so. I always have quite "bushy" (but not TOO bushy) brows. Keep your brows arch gentle as well. They look more natural and does not look as fierce as thin, archy brows. Hold your pencil vertical to your front eye corner and start from the point where your eye starts. Hold your pencil 45degrees from your nose... ahh. i'll use a picture to illustrate:

see how you should draw your brows? hold your pencil where i drew the lines..
I use shu uemura Hard Formula eye brow pencil in seal brown.

5. If you want a very natural makeup, use creme colour eyeshadow on your upper eye lid. Choose real natural creme color, i apply creme color on my whole eye lid up til my eyebrows.
I use L'Oreal Paris's color appeal in creme colour and sometimes use Biotherm's or shu uemura's.

6. Use eyeliner to make your eyes look brighter and more energetic. If you do not want thick and black lines, draw your eyeliner as close to your eyelash line as possible. Instead of drawing a straight black line, you may try to do shading just at the lash line to achieve a natural finish.
I use MAC pencil eyeliner and shu uemura liquid eyeliner. Both waterproof.

7. Use mascara to open up your eyes and make them look bigger. Curl your lashes with shu uemura eye lash curler and apply mascara at the tip of your lashes first. After coating your lashes tip with mascara, work from the root of your lash upwards, using zig-zag movements with your mascara brush to achieve a thick and black mascara finish.
I use shu uemura precise volume mascara or Lancome Hynose Mascara or Anna Sui's or L'Oreal's all in black.

8. Apply blusher on the apple of your cheeks. Use peach color for very natural finish. If you're fair, you can take most blusher color. Use light pink for a sweet finish.
I use shu uemura blusher in peach or Biotherm's blusher in light pink.

8. Use lip balm or lip gloss over your lips to moisturize, protect and add color.
I use MAC tinted lip conditioner with SPF 15, in petting pink.

If you're not sure of anything or want more information, feel free to ask questions, I wil do my best in replying. =)

I love the beauty world!!