I’m trying to perfect my make-up application techniques and have run into a few problems that I’m hoping some more experienced members will be able to help out with. Other beginners should feel welcome to post their problems too, we can look for solutions together!
Powdery eyeshadow
I took classes with Anam Falak a year ago (I posted a review here as well http://www.paklinks.com/gs/fashion-and-beauty/596499-anams-anam-falak-make-up-classes-a-review.html if you’re interested). She said that the best way to apply eyeshadow was by wetting your brush, every single time. She didn’t explain how to use just the eyeshadow with primer, and that’s my number one problem. I find it really difficult to blend the shadow when it’s wet (it always clumps together and doesn’t spread evenly) but using the shadow dry isn’t helping either. It feels like the shadows are too powdery and fly all over my face when I’m blending them instead of just sticking to my eyelid (despite the use of primer). Any advice on how to fix this problem? For reference, I’m using Sleek eyeshadow and primer by ELF.
Highlighter
I really like how Natasha’s brides (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natasha-Salon/182139695225631) have really glowing cheeks… what’s the best way to emulate that look? I would like to tone down the glowiness just a little, but my main question is where should I be applying my highlighter? In the middle of the apple of the cheek, or in a line along the cheekbone? And what kind of blush goes best with highlighter? Cream or powder? (Product recommendations are welcome).
I have a whole lot more questions, but let’s just start with these for now. Looking forward to your help and advice! Thank you in advance!
If your eyes are primed, blending gets easier plus the brushes have to be good as well. I personally don't like to work with wet shadows because blending them is a bit difficult. I use wet eyeshadow for packing on eyeshadow for smoker look.
Highlighter goes on it cheekboone, the bright of your nose, your cupids tip and I use will use it on the top of the arch of my brow.
If you have shadow that has some fallout, the best way to "make it work" for you is to use a medium of some sort. Water is okay but I find a good mixing medium mucccchhhhhhhhh better as it decreases fallout. Fallout is that powder you're referring to.
You can use MAC Fix +
You can make your own at home using one part glycerin and three parts water
Prime your eyelids first with UD Primer Potion.
Wet your brush with the mixing medium, pick up the shadow, test it on your hand first to make sure you're getting the consistency you desire and then apply.
Highlighter is applied anywhere the sun hits your face...the placement is what makes someone "glow" because the light it hitting the highlighter exactly where it should. So along the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, brow bones, center of your forehead, right above your upper lip, etc.
I personally love and use Alabaster by NARS as my go-to highlighter. My favorite blush these days is Glamour Feast by MAC...its a cream blush and so pretty on. But really...any blush would work well.
With the highlighter, when you say along the tops of your cheekbones, how close to the nose should you get? My instinct is to stop at an imaginary line drawn straight down from the pupil to the apple of the cheek (does that make sense?). This same question applies to blush too, actually...
Would you recommend NYX shadows in comparison to Sleek eyeshadows? I feel like the waffle pattern of the sleek eyeshadows makes it difficult for the brush to evenly pick up color... but that may just be my active imagination. :)
Also, like MF said...having decent brushes and practice is also key to application.
I'm using Real Techniques and ELF brushes, as well as the ones that Anam gave me. Anam's brushes are not amazing, but I figure they're good to practice with (when the heads aren't falling off anyway).
With the highlighter, when you say along the tops of your cheekbones, how close to the nose should you get? My instinct is to stop at an imaginary line drawn straight down from the pupil to the apple of the cheek (does that make sense?). This same question applies to blush too, actually...
Would you recommend NYX shadows in comparison to Sleek eyeshadows? I feel like the waffle pattern of the sleek eyeshadows makes it difficult for the brush to evenly pick up color... but that may just be my active imagination. :)
You have a natural line at the top of your cheekbone...its different for everyone. You might get close to your eye socket but that's okay.
NYX is okay...never tried sleek. NYX is good when you have a really good mixing medium only.
I'm using Real Techniques and ELF brushes, as well as the ones that Anam gave me. Anam's brushes are not amazing, but I figure they're good to practice with (when the heads aren't falling off anyway).
I wouldn't worry about the brand as much as I'd pay attention to what you're getting.
One flat brush to pick up color
One fluffy blender
One tapered brush for your outer V
Small brush to highlight inner corners
One brow bone highlighting brush - this could be any shape you feel comfortable manipulating
Eyeshadow fallout is inevitable which is why most MUA's will do the eyes first and then the face, or at least the finishing steps of the face after the eyes.
You need good tools and products. When the Sleek palettes first became popular, I wrote on here about the horrible amount of fallout. Obviously, MAC is great but if the eyeshadows are too pricey, practice with something like the Naked palette or look into the Inglot freedom system - it lets you build your own palette and the shadows aren't too expensive but good. I'd invest in a couple of good brushes too, especially a proper blending brush.
UD primer will act as an eyeshadow base as well as prevent creasing and it's a good option to start with. There's not really any need to use shadows wet (it will also ruin your eyeshadow if you keep getting them wet) unless as Moodie says you want to pack on a lot of product. Just primer, good quality eyeshadows used dry, and a good blending brush.
I dunno how much you paid for that course but spending that money on starting to build a proper collection of products would have been far more useful.
p.s. Do you guys mean Nars Albatross? If you don't want to splash out on this yet, an eyeshadow in off-white/beige with hints of gold or pink works well too. Something like MAC Phloof but it depends on your skin tone. My fav powder highlighter was actually a LE Mineralized Skin Finish, from years ago, it was perfect.
I dunno how much you paid for that course but spending that money on starting to build a proper collection of products would have been far more useful.
