While putting on makeup may seem simple enough, it is not surprising to see that a lot of us ladies really don’t have much of an idea of what we’re doing, which products to use, or how to use these correctly. After all, there are countless products in the market for all sorts of skin types and designed to produce different effects. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the midst of all those pots and jars. Wait ‘til you start reading the labels and sorting through all of the colors!

On the other hand, there are those who think that makeup application is as simple as slathering some product on without much thought. They often end up either messing up their look or failing to take advantage of what they already have. How many times have you seen someone with a sloppily made up face? It’s hardly flattering, and it defeats the purpose of highlighting one’s best features.

This is why, no matter what your difficulty with makeup is, it is very helpful to be familiar with the different products available. This can help you choose the right ones for you, which means you don’t waste money on things you can’t use. You will also be able to make the most out of your makeup if you know how to use it, because you’ll be able to actually get it to do what you had originally intended.

 

Step 1: Cleansing

Before anything else, though, let’s talk about preparing your face. A beautiful painting must start with a clean canvas, and that’s exactly what your face should be. There are a lot of cleansers out there which you can use, but make sure that you choose one which won’t irritate your skin.

On days when you have a lot of dead skin or some stray flakes on your face, you might want to use a gentle face scrub to get these out of the way, especially since makeup makes these much more obvious.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub is one of the most popular scrubs in the market, and for good reason. The apricot stone grains gently exfoliate and brighten the skin instantly. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the product smells good, too.

 

Another very popular cleansing product, especially for those with sensitive skin, is Cetaphil. The formula has emollient qualities that soothe irritated skin while cleansing it at the same time. The product is known to be so mild that it is recommended even for babies!

My personal favorite is the cleansing oil created by Shu Uemura. They may be called cleansing oils, but they don’t leave the skin oily at all! In addition, they come in different varieties, so you can choose which one best suits your skin type. The “fresh” variant, which comes in a light pink color, is the one I use most often. It leaves the skin feeling so clean and soft, it’s no wonder that the cleansing oil range is the most popular line they have.

 

 

Step 2: Priming

After cleansing, the next step is to apply some makeup primer. While a lot of people skip this step, it is not a useless one. Using primer already has the effect of concealing some discolorations. It also provides just the right amount of moisture and smoothness to allow the foundation to glide on smoothly. With the right primer, one can expect the makeup to sit on the skin much better than it would without it.

Choosing a primer should be a lot easier than finding the right foundation, so don’t stress out! Makeup Forever, for instance, has an HD primer which does not only smoothen the surface of the skin, but also helps the skin tone appear more even. The great thing about this is that it comes in several variants. You are bound to find something that works perfectly, no matter what your skin type is. A sponge may be used to apply this product. However, for greater control, it is also all right to use your fingertips to blend the product in.

Shu Uemura has also come out with an easy-to-use makeup primer. The best thing about this product is that it comes in mousse form, making application oh-so-easy and allowing the skin to feel light and smooth. It can easily be applied with a sponge. Since it only comes in two variants – pink and beige – it is not really hard to make a selection, either.

 

There are a lot of other cleansers and primers out there. Feel free to look around for one which suits you best. Of course, it won’t hurt to try looking for hypoallergenic ones. Also, try to consider your skin type. If you already have dry skin, don’t go for cleansers that are too strong or abrasive. Of course if you have oily or combination skin, it makes sense to steer clear of products which are oil-based or which seem to have a very heavy formulation. If you have a particular skin condition such as rosacea or if you have had a history of skin allergy, you will have to be even more particular with the products that you use. When in doubt, consult your dermatologist.

Once you’ve found your cleanser and primer, things will start to get a bit more interesting. It’s time for “real makeup.” Let the creative process begin!

 

 

Photos via stivesbeauty.co.uk, cetaphil.com, shuuemura.co.uk, and makeupforever.com