Tricks of the trade

THERE are a number of different tricks and techniques that we have developed to make applying make-up easier, as well as more appealing. Let’s start with some basics.

Foundation—The Critical Step
Always start your make-up with your foundation. This will even out your complexion and give you a good base to start with. The trick with foundation is to use a sponge to apply your foundation. This way your foundation will not change colours due to the oils on your fingers, and you will not contaminate your foundation.

Highlight for that added polish
Apply a highlighter next. Use a creamy concealer instead of waxy one, in one shade lighter than your foundation to hide wrinkles, dark circles around the eyes and to bring out features you would like to highlight. When you are trying to hide lines on the face, using a waxy substance will not move with your face, thus causing creases and other wrinkles to form in the product.

The Eyes
Now it is time to concentrate on your eyes. It is important to use three different eye shadows to create dimension and exciting shadows to your eyes. Use the lightest colour on your brow bone, your medium colour on your eyelid and the darkest colour in the crease of the eyelid. Now apply your eye-liner. The trick here is to use a firm bristle brush. This will give a more natural appearance. Always start from the outside going toward the centre on the top and bottom. Another trick to this is to make sure you do not make the top and bottom meet at the corners both inside and outside. By doing this you will make you eyes appear larger.

Cheekbones
We are almost done. Your next step will be your blush. The blush is applied to the cheek bone, and if you stare at yourself in the mirror find the place where your cheek goes from flat and starts to curve back. This is where you should start your blush, then follow the cheek bone back.

The Lips
Now let’s do your lips. Make sure that your blush colour and lipstick complement each other when you hold them together. If they do not look good side by side they will not look good on your face. The next trick for your lips is to use a soft bristle brush to apply your lipstick. You will have more control this way, and your lipstick will stay on better. Like your eye-liner start from the outside and work in towards the centre on the top and bottom lip. If you have small lips and you want to make them larger apply your liner just outside your lips. Conversely if you have large lips you can line just inside to make them appear smaller. Now that you know some of the tricks of the trade you can apply your make-up like a professional!

Crysande Hochst is a professional make-up artist. If you have any beauty questions you can send them to Crysande@gmx.de or call 646- 0666 or 689-1527.