Applying make-up for the first time can be nerve wrecking. No one wants to end up looking like a clown. And no one wants to look like a small child who played in mommy's make-up. Wearing beautifully applied make-up that accents your natural beauty is an artform, but is easily learned through practice.
It's not a great idea to purchase every type of make-up product if you've never used any before. Begin with one item, practice applying it until you are comfortable using it, then add another cosmetic to your beauty regimen.
Start with mascara. Browse the inexpensive brands. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money, especially for a novice. Choosing the correct color is very important. Only purchase black mascara if you have dark brown to black hair or when you are experienced in applying mascara. If you have blonde, red, or light brunette colored hair, purchase brown-black mascara.
When using mascara, there is one main tip to remember: never pump the applicator in the tube. Always spin the applicator brush. The pumping action creates air bubbles inside the tube and will dry out the mascara quickly.
Start with the upper lashes over your right eye. Hold the applicator wand with the brush pointing toward your nose. Start with the lashes on the inside corner of your eye. Hold the brush close to the lashes and gently push against the lashes in an upward motion while blinking once. Insert the applicator brush into the tube, spin it around, and remove.
Next, hold the brush at the middle of your lashes. Using the same upward motion with the brush, blink your lashes against the wand. Do the same for the lashes on the outer corner.
An option for creating fuller lashes is to apply mascara on the top side of the lashes. Start with the inner corner, but gently push the applicator down while lifting your eyelashes up pressing against the brush. Do the same for the middle and outer corners, also.
Applying mascara to the bottom row of lashes can be difficult and takes practice. Start by spinning the wand in the tube and holding the brush near the bottom row of lashes. Gently brush the mascara down over the lashes.
If the mascara gets on the skin, dip your ring finger in baby oil. The ring finger is the weakest finger and won't pull the skin as much as the other fingers. Use just a dab to wipe away the mistake. Use baby oil to remove mascara at the end of the day. Do not sleep in mascara. Sleeping in mascara will age the skin around the eyes and can damage your vision.
Once you're comfortable with applying mascara, try lip color. Lip color can enhance your appearance or make you look very silly. The secret to great-looking lips is all about choosing the right color and texture. By texture, the choices are: matte, glossy, and shimmer. Matte is flat, but looks very natural. Glossy is shiny, but tends to smear easily. Shimmer has a hint of glitter and causes the lipstick to be more noticeable than the actual lips. Beginners should try matte lipsticks first.
Choosing the right lip color can be overwhelming. An easy approach is to look in the mirror and study your own natural lip shade. Then find a shade close to your lips. Look for light mauves or cocoas. As a novice, stay away from bold colors such as reds or pinks. Some red lipsticks are hard to remove from the skin if a mistake occurs. And pink shades just look ridiculous.
Once you've chosen your shade, start with the upper lip in the center. Spread your lips over your teeth so the creases are flat. Lightly press the lipstick on your lip and move it outward and down to the corner. Do the same for the other side.
On the lower lip, gently dot the lipstick from the center to one corner and then the other. Press your lips together. Then blot with a tissue.
Moving along to using eyeshadow, choose neutral colors such as brown shades. Avoid orangy hues. Purchase a three or four color pallette that at least includes a light brown, a dark brown, and a highlighter color. With the tip of your ring finger, apply the light brown to your lid area only. Make sure to apply it evenly. Wipe your finger on a tissue. Apply the dark brown to the outer corner of the crease. Wipe your finger on the tissue.
Use the highlighter color from the inner crease up to your eyerbrow and on the brow bone under your eyebrow. Blend out any rough areas of the darker shade. Apply the highlighter color to the inner corner of your eyelid. Repeat on the other eye.
Once you've gotten the knack of applying eyeshadow, use it before applying mascara. It's easy to get discouraged when you're a beginner. Practice makes perfect and practicing everyday will lead to a professional looking face.