What was the last makeup trick that made a big difference in your application? Share!
Using a sponge/Beautyblender to press loose powder into the skin — seems to help minimize powderiness, especially around the eyes.
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Christine, do you dampen the sponge first?
Barely damp!
Oooh, I am definitely going to try that trick!
Thanks, I’m trying that today! Can you use the same sponge that you just used for foundation or two separate?
I’ve done it both ways – if you tend to wash your sponge often, then I think you can use the same one, but if you let it stretch longer between cleanings, maybe keep it separate 🙂
I wash it every time I use it. It freaks me out if I dont! 🙂
Tightlining my upper lashline with a waterproof, longwearing pencil eyeliner BEFORE I use my eyelash curler! This really helps me to get very up-swept, curled lashes that once coated with my favorite waterproof mascara; they ain’t goin’ nowhere!!! Humidity, rain showers, sweating have ZERO negative effect on my lashes since I began doing this about 5 years back.
Another good one is something that you recently caused me to take another look at, and try it myself: COBALT blue eyeliner in Sephora’s My Boyfriend’s Jeans makes my eyes look alive and bright! And, my fear that it would make my eyes look “dead”? Unfounded, YAY!
Nancy, what waterproof eyeliner and mascara do you use?
I’ve been using Nyx Slide-On Pencils ( the full name is ridiculously long!), there are probably better ones, but these don’t irritate my eyes or make them water. But next month I’m going to try Sephora’s Contour pencil in black just to see if I love that even more. And I have been loving Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara! It has a learning curve though because it has a plastic comb type applicator like L’Oreal Butterfly mascara, but thinner. HTH!
Thanks for the tips! FYI…the new Sephora Contour Matte Gel Waterproof eyeliner is awesome. I have dark brown, and it seems indestructible on my oily lids. My record is +17 hrs on, no budging or fading, in an office with a barely functioning AC. But I’m always on the look out for other liners, in case they ever discontinue one
YW! And thanks for the recommendation for Sephora Matte Contour Eye Pencils! I will have to try it in black for tightlining, because I’m always on the hunt for even better, and what you just described tells me this one will work great in this infernal climate!
Oh I just remembered you live in really hot area. One time, I was walking around for 2 hrs in the direct sun (85-90F), no shade, was dripping sweat, everything melted off except for the Sephora Matte Gel eyeliner and my Anastasia Dipbrow pomade, set with brown eye shadow powder. The eyeliner never budged on my oily lids. Hope it works for you!
Not worrying too much about getting eyeshadows too far out in the outer corner of the eye or down under the lower lash line, and creating the perfect shape when the eye look is finished with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover.
Using tape (or a baby wipe wrapped around my finger and using the nail edge to wipe) to give a really sharp edge to my eyeshadow. It’s a great trick for hooded eyes. The defined edge really does give a visual lift to the my eyes. It works with eyeliner, too, when doing a cat eye or winged liner.
Learning to apply my false lashes UNDER the lash line.
I have always struggled with applying falsies. Some of the hairs on my lash line grows a bit further up on my lid, forming a disorderly zig-zag-like pattern. So whenever I applied false lashes to my lids, it would always tug at my skin, creating this ugly rippling look. #theTUGlife. Uuugh! Also, applying them on top always messed up my eyeshadow or caused glue buildup on my lashes. There were times — when I did wear the falsies on top — that I would apply glue to the top of my lash band and then roll my extra lid skin (that sounds so weird) onto the band, in order to hide the tugging. The roll technique sometimes worked and it did give the appearance of realistic long lashes growing out of my lids, but the process was way too tedious, with a low success rate. So why don’t I cut the rebel lashes? I have fine/thin lashes, so every hair I can save is a blessing.
Many years ago I watched a video tutorial (thank you, YouTube) of a girl teaching viewers about an Asian makeup trick: applying falsies beneath the lash line. That video changed my falsies application life! Although applying the falsies this way takes A LOT of practice, and strong glue, I’m now able to wear my false lashes with ease without messing up my eyeshadow. Plus, it looks more natural.
I’m guilty of watching the YouTube video but never getting around to try it. If I remember correctly, the video was by BeautyQQ (Queenie Chan).
Yessss! Wow! Someone remembered.
You should give it a try one of these days.
Christine, are you dampening the Beautyblender to use with the powder, or are you using it dry?
When I’m doing foundation, after I’ve evened everything out, I use the tip of my beautyblender to remove excess foundation around my nose/upper lip area and under my eyes/top of my cheeks — leaving only the sheerest coverage — because these are the places that need the least coverage, and can give you the dreaded cakey makeup look if you have too much foundation there. Then, once I set everything, I use a q-tip to again remove any excess around the nose. It has really helped with the overall look of my makeup. 🙂
Barely damp!
Christine, I have to ask – do you use the sponge/BB dry or damp?
It’s damp but veryyy lightly damp!
I was going to ask the same thing, but it looks like a few people beat me to it 🙂
Ooooh, cool tip, I’m going to try it! Thanks Christine.
Applying mascara before I apply my false lashes. It allows me to use my false lashes more times! #LashesAreGettingExpensive
I switched to Cle de Peau concealer since I am now getting dark circles daily. I changed from a brush and concealer to using my finger. It blends better and is just easier.
I love my CdP concealer! To me the concealer is so good that i can use fingers, toes, brushes, it looks like perfection every time!!
it goes on softer with fingers….you know…I really like the newish Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. I have been using that then CdP. It is perfect.
Thanks for the tip, Laura. I’m using the BM Well Rested powder over my concealer and it’s quite good but i’m always on the look-out for something ‘better’ 🙂
Using a duo fiber blush brush for cream blushes instead of my fingers or stippling brush. It gives me a more sheer, better blended, more natural look.
I completely agree with you! I started using a damp sponge to press powders under my eyes to set the concealer, this trick makes the conceal last all day without creasing! I love it!
Powder as primer and the buffing technique, both learned from Wayne Goss’s YouTube channel. Also patting & rolling product onto my skin rather than dragging the brush/sponge along!
How do you use powder as a primer?
Dust your face with powder before applying your foundation. And it doesn’t matter if you use liquid or cream foundation. Actually, i apply my Hourglass primer, let it settle then i dust a loose powder all over my face and THEN apply my foundation. It gives the most flawless finish.
Using two separate primers since I have combo skin. I currently like mufe smoothing on my t-zone area and KVD featherweight on the cheeks for hydration. I also powder my t-zone and under eyes . But, depending on the foundation- I will only powder my t-zone area and just make sure my cheek area sets before I apply blush, highlight, etc.
I had bought a beauty blender but didn’t know what to do with it (I prefer patting on foundation with my hands and I rub 4 foundations together to get my skin tone) until I learned this trick. I hated using a puff to apply setting powder but I absolutely love the sponge.
Beauty blender for sure! Not just for liquid foundation (damp) but also for pressed mineral foundation (dry)
Beauty blender solid cleanser has also made my brush cleaning job more of a breeze. I put mine in an empty Lush soap tin which keeps my hands free from cleanser and drying out my palms.
Oy..lots of great tips here already. I’m busy reading and taking notes. My latest courtesy from a Temptalia user was using the Hourglass Diffused Light (a light yellow) powder to set my concealer. Up to this point, I wasn’t setting concealer at all because I found it caused cakiness and dullness and emphasized my under eye grooves. The HG powder is light enough and reflective enough to set my concealer to last all day without aforementioned issues.
I found that the Bare Minerals, Well Rested powder (also hinting towards yellow) works very well.
I also heard that Besame(?) has a violet powder that is supposed to do the trick as well.
Live and spend…uh, i mean, learn…:)
I have been using Well Rested for yrs. I slipped up and ran out with no backup and tried a shadow. I had a large single pot of Napoleon Perdis matte shadow in Skinny Dip. I think it is better but of course it was a mega clearance item so not sure if I can get it again.
Has anyone tried the liquid Well Rested with the powder?
Can’t really call this a trick, but I discovered I was applying bronzer just a hair too low on my cheeks. I kept wondering why it looked good on others but only made MY face look dirty! Moving it up to snug **right** under my cheekbones made a world of difference. I felt like such an idjit. ha ha
I can’t remember exactly which one I learned most recently, but some of my best “game changer” tricks are:
1. Set your eye primer with translucent powder. It really helps to blend powder eyeshadows the most smoothly.
2. Apply the smallest amount of foundation right where the bridge of my glasses sit, and powdering that area really well to minimize gross old foundation on my glasses.
3. Concentrating my mascara on the outer half of my lashes makes my eyes look less close-set.
4. Allowing my brows to grow in a little closer in the middle (making the space between the brows slightly smaller) actually makes my eyes look less close-set as well! Using the nostril rule, my brows would be further apart than my eyes, which is very unflattering. This rule also doesn’t work for people who have wider nostrils.
Oh, I can’t believe I forgot! Use a lightweight cream under your eyes about 10 minutes before you put on your makeup. Your concealer will be much less caky looking, since your under-eye will be hydrated.
I have oily-combination skin and get pretty oily around my t-zone, but my cheeks and temples can be dry. I recently started using a smaller brush (Real Techniques setting brush) to use more heavy setting powder around my t-zone and then using lighter powder with a larger, fluffy brush everywhere else. I know it seems kind of obvious but it hadn’t occurred to me before, and it helps avoid powderiness on my drier areas!
Christine, I did that too! I use an almost dry beauty blender to apply pressed powder/foundation tho. Give me instant matte finish and makes the complexion last the WHOLE DAY! (usually they last 6 hours if applied with dense powder brush )
Since I have drier skin, I don’t always use a setting powder (although, since we’re in the middle of a heatwave with high humidity-70%-I have been), I often find laying down blush/bronzer/contour powder to end up a bit patchy. However, if I dip my brush into a powder *prior* to picking up color, it goes on smoothly. This also really helps with color products that have a dry/stiff texture, and are difficult to blend. Yes, it adds a few extra seconds to my routine, but it allows me to use products I love otherwise, and less time than blending it out later.
I also often apply mascara & liquid liner *before* eyeshadow. The mascara makes my long lashes less “floppy”, giving me better control of the liner, and applying liner before eyeshadow allows for cleanup/removal without disturbing the eyeshadow. Once I have the basic shape I want, I apply eyeshadow, then touchup the liner. It also helps to remove tranfer to the lid without disturbing eyeshadow. Again, having to touch up after eyeshadow takes a bit of extra time, but considerably less than having to remove & reapply eyeshadow!
Using cooking spray to “set” nail polish. It’s less expensive than manicure sprays, and I find actually works better. Plus, it doesn’t have that strong chemical smell, which can be pretty strong. Yes, I have to wash my hands after, but I do when I use traditional sprays,
I apply my brows before I do anything else, even foundation. Again, cleaup is easier (I don’t disturb other products), and I get a solid frame for the rest of my makeup.
I want to add one more: if you take blush or contour too far up/down, use your foundation brush that still has a bit of product still on it, and swipe along the edge. This also works around the eye are, with an eye brush, of course!
Baking!
I would try so hard to get a crisp contour and it would sometimes end up a bit muddy, especially once I put on bronzer over top. baking underneath the contour definitely helps clean it up. I’ve also learned that you should bake AFTER you contour. I was cream highlighting with concealer, baking and then going in to contour. kinda makes the process of baking redundant lol
Ok, I feel really stupid for what I’m about to ask, but what is “Baking”? Is it difficult? You have my curiosity going here!
All amazing tips! The one that i love is applying mascara from a lash comb. Taking the mascara wand, rub the mascara onto the lash comb tips. Then start at the root of the lashes and comb the mascara onto the lashes. This not only gives you an automatic tightline (if you start right at the base of the lashes) but it also separates and coats the lashes without clumping. Apply as many coats as you want, the clumping should be minimal to nil.
Also, staying on the lashes topic. Coat your lashes with liquid eyeliner (yup, waterproof liquid eyeliner – i’ve used the Stilla pen one – can’t remember the name) and then mascara, it looks divine. Thank you Wayne Goss!!
Same as you, Christine! I always use my RT sponge to apply my foundation, concealer, and the powder under my eyes. It’s the only thing that prevents creasing on me.
Spraying Fix+ on a makeup sponge to apply foundation. I’ll have to try your tip too!
My eyebrows, concealer on top of my foundation and smudginh my eyeliner!
I put concealer on top of my foundation, too. It stays put much better, and the coverage is much better.
Putting on a light dusting of powder before my foundation. Sounds weird but it works – a gorgeous finish.
Using a flat definer brush with a small amount of shadow to help create a wing line. It’s easier to correct than the eyeliner
Applying a very pale pink blush (like Benefit’s Dandelion) in the space between my cheekbone and my eye, not on my cheekbones. It’s a different way to brighten/highlight.
I’m going to try this tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!
Using a primer under my foundation
Learning to apply my eye shadows properly (courtesy of a great MUA at Elizabeth Arden) to maximize the effects of my hooded almond shaped eyes.
I will read all these! My only life changing tip is to use heavy oil-based moisturizer as highlighter like Weleda Skin Food.
Because I’m hypersensitive, lining my upper waterline tickles SO much that I almost always flinch! To avoid ending up with a line drawn straight up onto my completed eye makeup, then having to redo parts of my shadow, I line my waterline before I apply any eyeshadow. That way, I can easily remove any crazy liner from my lid with a Q-tip and makeup remover, and then apply my primer and shadow. This has saved me so much time and frustration.
Good question. Using concealed to clean up and define my eyebrows. I’ve always been an eyebrow freak, but concealer stepped my game up and it doubles as highlighter.
Mixing a few drops of oil (currently almond) with a bit of silicone primer (elf hydrating) with my foundation! Mix it together in fingers BEFORE applying to face. Obviously you have very oily skin, this may not work for you. Also, any time used TOO much silicone primer, it obviously won’t work well. I have found a ratio that works great for my skin 🙂
Learning about airbrushing with my Temptu Air. Omg I don’t know how I’ve lived without this tool. Flawless application. Love it.
The biggest difference in my makeup application has come from discovering that I turn over skin cells faster than should be humanly possible. Since I was in my teens (30+ years ago) my skin has always been the strangest combination of oily and flaky. Even good makeup always looked cakey, streaky … weird. I started using AHAs and BHAs 5 or so years ago, which helped, but I finally upped the ante with oil cleansing performed with a baby washcloth. Every night I cleanse with a washcloth and use a BHA lotion. What should be overkill (and probably would be for anyone else) has finally given me smooth skin for the first time since I started caring what I look like. Foundation applies like a dream now, even with my fingers (my large pores are a completely different story — sigh).
After I put my mascara and I let it dry and then with the warmth of my clean hands I take my two index fingers lay them across my nose so the points are touching and close my eyes and that the warmth curled my lashes! I hold them in the middle for about 30 seconds and in the outer corners for about 30 to 50 seconds and it holds the curl all day. No expensive eyelash curler needed! It also saves me the trouble of having to re-apply eyeliner on my upper lash line because everytime I try to use a lash curler it removes some of my eyeliner. this even works after you have applied false lashes to make sure they all meld together. ( ;
Ooh! Will be trying this!
I know this may sound silly, but I blow dry my eye lashes! I curl my eye lashes, use Dior Eye lash primer and almost any mascara, currently Kiko Ultra Tech. Then I use my hair dryer on cool with the slanted nozzle, aim it straight up and voilà . Set, dry and curled all day.
Guerin meteorite pearls are beautiful and very subtle. Just makes my skin glow softly. Use a light hand.
I’m definitely going to try that technique! Need a proper sponge for that, first.
The other trick I taught myself this week is how to properly contour my round face. I’m adapting the Nikkietutorials technique, where I bring my contour a bit more down around my cheeks to fake a rounder and more prominent cheek. Looks a lot better on my face shape! Needs a lot of blending to look natural though.
I’ve never heard of using an eyelash comb to apply mascara, but now I can’t wait to try it.
My favorite tricks:
I use a small shadow brush to put super-sparkley navy shadow on my eyelashes right after I apply mascara. It makes my lashes thick and my eyes bright. I usually only do it for evening wear, it’s a bit much for daylight.
Paula Dorf transformer makes any shadow into a liner that will not budge. I have very fair skin and a lot of liners are too dark/intense for me, especially for everyday wear. I use this to make a medium shade into a liner. It’s especially great for lining under the eye.
if I’m going to use a pencil liner, I put it on before I do my shadow, then go over it after the shadow is done. It goes on easier when it’s directly on the skin and lasts forever.
I do my own pedicures. I file my toenails before I remove the old polish. With the polish on, it’s so easy to see the shape of the nail. I’m guessing a manicurist would have some reason why this is an abomination, but it works great for me.