So before you think, Bright color, moi?, here are my top makeup tips and techniques for solving that and other makeup challenges.
“I love the idea of long-lasting lip colors, but they seem to dry out my lips. Do you have any suggestions?”
You can get durable color without the drying effects of longer-wearing lipstick formulas by experimenting with a couple of great tricks. One is to create a stain, which has more staying power than regular lipstick. Put a little lip balm in your palm and slightly crush the tip of a lip pencil into it until you have the desired color. Then press the concoction onto your lips with your fingertip. Another technique: Lipstick adheres best to a dry surface, so first line and fill in your lips with a lip pencil. (Choose a liner that’s no more than one shade darker than your lipstick to avoid the telltale ring around the lips.) Then top with a creamy, matte lipstick—glosses tend to disappear by lunchtime. No matter what technique you use, exfoliate lips every night—lip color clings to smooth, supple skin. I use a damp washcloth to gently buff away dead skin and follow with a hydrating lip balm to wear overnight.
“I’ve been noticing a lot of bright, fun, colorful makeup shades in stores. How can I wear them and still look natural?”
Try using the more intense colors on your eyes and then balancing that look with a softer pink blush or a nude lipstick. That way, the bold color will enhance but not overwhelm your face. For just a hint of tint, use a liner brush to apply a thin stroke of bright eye shadow along your upper lash lines from the inner to outer corners. Try a violet or pink shade—each works well on all skin tones. Add a touch of white or cream shadow under your brow bone and finish with a coat of mascara on lashes. For a more striking look, sweep the bright hue all over your lower lids; use your finger for a sheer effect or a brush for bolder color. To add definition, line lids with a charcoal gray eye pencil.[pagebreak]
“Some mornings, I’m so busy I have time to apply only one product. What should it be?”
Concealer, without a doubt. Personally, I love how a little cover-up can make me look like I’ve had a good night’s sleep—which is a rare occasion. And it’s easy to lighten even vampirelike dark circles: Just dab a little underneath your eyes with your fingertip or a concealer brush. If you have an extra minute, apply foundation on top of the cover-up with a gentle tap so you don’t rub off any concealer. Always choose yellow-based concealer, because all skin shades—regardless of ethnicity—have yellow undertones. Plus, yellow helps neutralize blue undereye tinges. Skip the pink or green color-corrective formulas, which will make you look, well, more pink or green. To try: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Concealer ($10; drugstores); Lancôme Absolue Concealer ($30; www.lancome-usa.com); Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Cream Concealer ($7; drugstores). More from Prevention: 8 Makeup Mistakes That Age You
