Applying liquid foundation with a damp (makeup) sponge evens out the coverage and gives a sheerer, more flawless finish. And don’t forget to blend all the way down and under the chin onto the neck; nothing looks worse than having your foundation obviously end above your neck!
If your eyelashes are thin to nonexistent, here’s how to make them look thicker: apply a coat on the top of your upper lashes; then apply to the underside of the upper lashes by gently working the applicator side to side as you slide it from the base to the outer tips of the lashes. To make the lower lashes stand out without clumping, lightly brush the applicator along the edges of the lashes only.
When applying blush, blend it outwards and upwards along your temples to the eyebrows. Apply a light dusting on your forehead at the hairline, down the nose, and on the chin. This gives your face a glow without being obvious.
Need to get that last bit of lotion or anything else out of the bottle? If it’s a plastic bottle or tube, make sure all the contents are at the opening by turning the container upside down for a while. Then cut the tube or bottle at about the half way mark. You can then reach whatever is left inside. To prevent the contents drying out, either place in a ziplock bag or cover securely with foil. It the container is glass, you can use orange sticks to scoop out most of what’s left inside.
Instead of buying an expensive eyebrow brush, use an old toothbrush (after cleaning it, of course!) Brush eyebrows up and then lightly run the brush along the top of the brow – this actually makes your eyebrows look fuller. Of course, if you already have thick eyebrows, just brushing them from the inner to the outer edge is probably fine.
Not sure where to pluck your eyebrows? Take an orange stick, lip liner pencil, or something similar and place it alongside your nose pointing upward; where the stick hits your eyebrow should be the inner edge of your brow – pluck hairs only on the nose side of the stick. Now take the stick and angle it out to the edge of your eye – this should be the outer edge of your eyebrow so pluck only the hairs past the outer edge of the stick. The arch of your brow should be right above the pupil of your eye when you’re looking straight ahead. Want pictures? See: http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/12/16/how-to-pluck-your-eyebrows/
For thin eyebrows, use eyeshadow that’s a shade or two lighter than your brows and a stiff, slanted brush. Use short light strokes to fill in.
If you have an article of clothing that’s wrinkled, and you don’t want to drag out the iron, toss it in the dryer with a damp towel for a couple of minutes.
Clean your hairbrushes and combs monthly by removing all the hair then soak the brushes and combs in water with a little added shampoo. You can use a nailbrush to clean combs and some hairbrushes; or drag out an old toothbrush. And speaking of toothbrushes, how often do you clean them? They can be soaked in a peroxide solution.
Makeup brushes and applicators should be washed weekly. I’ve found the best thing to use is a mild shampoo. Always hold the brushes with the bristles down; if water gets down inside the handle, the glue that holds the bristle in can dissolve. Use your hands to gently apply the shampoo and work into the bristles, rinse, and repeat as necessary until the rinse water is clear. Dry the brushes by putting them on a paper towel; always dry flat so water doesn’t get into the handle.
And speaking of cleaning things, small, hard-to-reach nooks and crannies can be cleaned with a Q-tip dipped in peroxide, just make sure the place you’re cleaning is color safe as peroxide can bleach some items (remember the term peroxide blonde??)
Do you have some tips you’d like to share?
A New Beginning 