The 3 makeup tricks you need to master
There are some universal makeup techniques that every woman knows she needs to nail for a flawless beauty look. Blending in foundation for a seamless finish, applying blush correctly for the perfect rosy glow, and concealing away dark circles, redness and pimples are usually the go-tos.
But there are actually a few more makeup tricks that we should all have up our sleeves. These are the three techniques you need to add to your repertoire now.
1
Contouring
Before you start thinking we expect you to incorporate some Kardashian-level contouring into your makeup routine on a daily basis, it’s important to know that harsh brown and white stripes tactically placed on your face isn’t the only way to contour.
Contouring entails using shadows and light to enhance your features, and you can do that in roughly 10 seconds if you understand the theory behind where to place and blend your products.
The quickest and easiest way to incorporate some contouring techniques into your morning routine is by using a handy palette that contains everything you need. COVERGIRL’s truBLEND Contour Palette pretty much takes the guesswork out for you by giving you your highlight, contour and bronzing shade in one palette (and it comes in Light and Medium shades, so you can pick the one that’s best suited to your skin tone).
To get added definition, use your fingertip and some dabbing motions. First use your highlight shade and gently dab it onto the tops of your cheekbones. Keep dabbing until the blendable formula has completely melted into your skin. Then, use your contour shade and dab it into the hollows of your cheeks – again blending it in until the edges are invisible. Finish off by dabbing your bronzing shade onto your cheeks to add some warmth. Viola, subtly defined cheekbones without the marathon application!
2
Brow filling
Whether you’re into bold, striking brows or prefer something more subtle, having filled-in and defined brows can instantly help finish off any beauty look. So it pays to know how to fill in your brows for a natural finish.
For those looking to fill any gaps, your best bet is to use a brow pencil, like COVERGIRL Brow & Eye Makers Pencil, in a shade that matches your natural brow hair colour. Then, use the pointed tip to create gentle flicks (almost like you’re drawing a hair) to fill in the gaps. You can also use your pencil to define the edges of your brows by gently tracing around them while ensuring the front of your brow isn’t too defined. Finish off by using a spoolie to brush your brows into place and blend the colour out.
If you’re looking for a quick fix that’ll give your brows some added depth and colour, COVERGIRL Bombshell Powder Brow Liner will have your brows sorted in a flash. Simply use the wand and follow your brow shape to quickly fill in and define your brows.
3
Eyeshadow blending
Who isn’t guilty of applying a wash of a single eyeshadow colour because you just can’t wrap your head around pairing multiple shades so they all work and blend together?
While a monotone eyeshadow look can work for so many reasons, knowing how to play with multiple shades and finishes can take your eye makeup look to the next level (and can even help create the illusion of bigger, wider, or rounder eyes).
For a foolproof way to play with multiple eyeshadow shades, invest in a palette like one of the COVERGIRL truNAKED Eyeshadow Palettes (there’s a Nudes palette, which features more muted, matte tones, and the Goldens palette, which is perfect for those into more shimmer). The eight highly pigmented colours in each palette have been custom-picked to complement each other, meaning you essentially have an infinite number of ways to play around with the shades and can be rest assured they’ll always look good together.
Once you’ve sorted out the shades you want to use, it’s time to ensure you have the right tools for blending and you know where to place your product. Always start with the lightest shade to build your base. A standard medium density eyeshadow brush will be great for this step. Then you’ll want to build colour. Use a denser eyeshadow brush to apply your darker shade, remembering that placing a darker colour towards the outer edges of your eyes will help open then up. Applying a darker shade on your crease will also give your eyes extra definition. Once you’ve deposited your darker colour, you’ll need to blend the two shades together, which is where a loose eyeshadow blending brush comes in. Holding the brush with the point on your lids, blend in a circular motion to buff the colour in.
Want to get more out of your eyeshadow palette? Here's how to make use of every shade in your palette.
Do you ever use any of these makeup techniques? Please share with us in the comments section below.
Image credits: @covergirl
Carli was BEAUTYcrew’s Editor from launch in 2016 until May 2020. You can find her words right here on BEAUTYcrew, and previously on beautyheaven.
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