Tips For Better Looking Makeup

Over the years I have learned many do’s and do not’s when it comes to makeup application that I feel so embarrassed when I look back and remember the horrible things I used to do to my face! I am compiling everything I know into a list of 14 tips for better looking makeup. By the end you will know all of my ‘secrets,’ the reasons why they are highly important, and I am also sharing my favorite products under each tip in case you need some solid recommendations to get started.

1. Use a Face Primer

Always apply a face primer before applying your makeup! When I started wearing foundation I had no concept of what a face primer was. I would look in the bathroom mirror and wonder why I saw this orange line separating my face from my neck. Primer will prevent your foundation from oxidizing, which is when it turns a different color over time, thus causing your face to no longer match your neck! Primer also gives your makeup a base to adhere to so that it lasts longer and looks super smooth.

There are so many primers on the market tailored to your specific skin needs. For example, you will want a dewy primer if your skin is dry, or a matte primer if your skin is oily, and the list goes on. Below are some of my favorites from the drugstore and high-end.

• elf Tone Adjusting Face Primer
• wet n wild primefocus Primer Serum
• Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
• Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

2. Use a Setting Spray

Yu should definitely use a makeup setting spray each time you wear makeup. I used to only wear it for special occasions or on days where I knew I would be wearing my makeup for longer than normal. But, now I know the magic of setting sprays! A good setting spray will literally melt the makeup into the skin and blend your products together, so that the end result looks beautiful! This is why they are a daily must. It is tricky to find a setting spray that also prolongs the wear time of your makeup, but they definitely do exist, which is another plus. Below are my recommendations for sprays that set, lock makeup in, or simply are good for daily use.

• Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
• Maybelline Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray

3. Wear a Lip Liner

Wearing a lip liner with any type of lip color is highly important. When you are dealing with liquid lipsticks, and sometimes with lip glosses, they can bleed outside of your natural lip line the same way that a marker bleeds on paper. A lip liner will keep your lip color inside your lip line. A tips for better looking makeup added bonus – they also help provide a crisp, defined line with your lip color for a professional touch. Once I started wearing lip liner, I never went back! My absolute favorite lip liners are wet n wild’s perfectpout Gel Lip Liners.

4. Use an Eyeshadow Primer

Fourth, do not skip out on the eyeshadow primer! Eyeshadow primer is the key to avoiding fading, creasing, and movement. Beauty guru’s heavily promote using concealer on the lids, but that is not a long-term solution for all-day wear. Below are some of my absolute holy grails, which you can get more details on in my article covering long-lasting eyeshadow primers.

• Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
• wet n wild megalast Eyeshadow Primer
• Milani Eyeshadow Primer
• Urban Decay Original Primer Potion
• Covergirl Lid Lock Up

5. Set your Makeup with Powder

Setting your makeup with powder, and the right kind of powder, is very important. I used to use whatever cheap powder I could find, which was another contributor to my foundation turning orange and leaving a stark line delineating my neck from my face. My issue was tinted powder that by no means matched my skin tone!  Honestly, you can avoid this issue all together by finding a good, translucent powder. If you really do want a tinted, or colored, setting powder, be sure it matches your foundation shade closely.

Setting your face with powder helps lock down creams and liquids so that they last longer. A really good setting powder will even blur the skin and really act as that finishing touch. Here are my best-of-the best pressed and loose powders!

• wet n wild photofocus Translucent Loose Setting Powder
• Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder
• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
• Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

6. Gradually Build Foundation Coverage

Next in tips for better looking makeup for avoiding cakey, or heavy, makeup. Always build your foundation up with the mindset that less is more! You can always add more foundation as needed, but you really cannot take it away once you overdo it. Start by applying a thin layer, and then add more as you go until you achieve your desired level of coverage. Consider building up coverage on the areas that need it most, such as a patch of redness, to help control how much foundation you use. Some foundations do not build and layer as well as others, so do be cognizant of that. Check out my picks for some awesome drugstore foundation.

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
• wet n wild photofocus Dewy Foundation

7. Use a Damp Blending Sponge for Foundation, Concealers, and Creams

I have literally been addicted to using blending sponges for foundation and concealer since 2013! Even though I have some brushes that do a great job, nothing beats the power of a damp blending sponge. Sponges will press your makeup into your skin leaving a skin-like finish. If you ever used a foundation or concealer brush that left lines in your foundation, you will never have that issue with a sponge! They even help absorb excess product, which is helpful if you are a bit heavy-handed.

I use a normal size sponge to apply my foundation, and a mini sponge for concealer.

• wet n wild Makeup Sponge
• elf Total Face Sponge
• elf Camo Concealer Sponge
• Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

8. Avoid Blocky Brows by Filling the Center

These are brow tips for better looking makeup that I learned within the year that has changed my brow game! Say goodbye to overfilling your brows. That blocky look will be no more! Whether I am using a pencil or a pomade, I apply the product down the center of my brow, then I use a spoolie to disperse the product. You get a lovely, natural looking fill by doing this. I finish up by apply more product only to specific areas that need more time and attention. Throw in a brow gel/mascara here if your brows like to stick out in all directions.

• wet n wild ultimatebrow Micro Brow Pencil
• elf Lock On Liner and Brow Cream
• elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil

9. Moisturize!

You can use the best makeup products on the market, but if you apply them to skin that is not being taken care of, your makeup will never look good. Your face is your canvas, and you must treat it like such. But, you do not need some fancy 10 step skincare routine in order to wear makeup. If I can urge you to consider any skincare, at minimum you need to use a moisturizer. A good moisturizer will hydrate the skin and promote your makeup lasting as long as it can, and will make it sit on the skin better. All skin types benefit from the power of moisturizer because they can correct dry skin, or prevent oily skin from producing excess oil.

• Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
• elf Holy Hydration Gel Yeah Moisturizer

10. Apply Creams Before Powders

Creams and liquids should always be applied before powder products. When done in reverse, they will not sit on the skin very well, and will most likely look heavy and patchy. Making this mistake can even lift your under layers of makeup up and remove coverage! After you apply foundation and concealer, this is an ideal time to add any cream blush, bronzer, contour, and highlight. If you are working with powder foundation, then you have to apply all creams and liquids first.

• wet n wild megaglo Makeup Sticks

11. Sweep Contour Onto the Jaw for a Natural Look

Are you looking for tips for better looking makeup for bronzer to look natural? When you are applying bronzer or contour below the jaw, be sure to sweep some up onto the actual jaw. It will look so much more natural if you do. Consider these awesome bronzers to help you get the look:

• The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer
• Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
• Physicians Formula Murumuru Bronzer Palette

12. Conceal Redness with Pink/Peach Color Correcting Concealers

Color theory always tells us that green color correcting concealers will cancel out redness, which is absolutely valid. I have been using green concealers for years, but the constant challenge is when you can see the green peaking through your foundation. Did you know that pink and peach color correcting concealers do an amazing job at cancelling out green?! They hide under foundation well, which is an added bonus. Additionally, they make under eye darkness disappear like instant, real life photoshop. I pretty much only use pinks and peaches now.

• Smashbox x Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector

13. Clean Up Mascara Mistakes with a Spoolie

Have you ever gotten mascara on your eyelid or surrounding skin? Forget what you know about trying to correct that mistake. All you need to do is allow the mascara to dry, and then rub a spoolie on it. The mascara will flake right off and will not harm your makeup underneath. In seconds, it will be like your mishap never happened! If you love a va va voom, voluminous, dramatic eyelash, I have some recommendations for you.

• Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara

14. Exfoliate Your Lips Before Applying Lip Color

Always exfoliate before you apply your lip color. It does not matter if you are going for a lip gloss, a lipstick, or what have you. If your base is dry and flakey, your lip color will emphasize that. Lip exfoliators come in bullet and jar formats. I prefer the bullet kind for a mess free job. I swear by elf’s Lip Exfoliator in Brown Sugar.

FAQ

Why is face primer important before applying makeup?

Primer creates a smooth base, helps makeup adhere better, and prevents foundation from oxidizing so your face matches your neck throughout the day.

What does setting spray do for makeup?

Setting spray melts makeup into the skin for a more natural finish and can help extend wear time. It also blends layers together so everything looks seamless.

Why should I wear lip liner?

Lip liner prevents lip color from bleeding outside the lip line and creates a clean, defined shape. It also adds a professional-looking finish to any lip product.

Do I really need an eyeshadow primer?

Yes. Eyeshadow primer prevents creasing, fading, and movement. Concealer may work short-term, but primer keeps eye looks locked in for all-day wear.

Why is using the right setting powder important?

The right powder locks creams and liquids in place and prevents foundation from turning orange. Translucent options help avoid mismatched shades.

How can I avoid cakey-looking foundation?

Apply foundation in thin layers and build slowly. Add extra product only where needed to control coverage without overapplying.

What are the benefits of using a damp blending sponge?

A damp sponge presses makeup into the skin for a natural finish, prevents streaks, and absorbs excess product if you apply too much.

How do I prevent my brows from looking blocky?

Apply brow product to the center first, then blend with a spoolie. Add more only where needed to keep brows looking natural.

Do I need moisturizer even if I use good makeup products?

Yes. Makeup applies smoother and lasts longer on hydrated skin. Moisturizer benefits all skin types, from dry to oily.

Why should creams be applied before powders?

Creams and liquids sit better on bare skin. Applying them over powder can cause patchiness and lift the makeup underneath.

How can I make contour or bronzer look more natural?

Sweep some of the product up onto the jawline. This blends the color more seamlessly for a natural shadow effect.

How can I reduce redness without green correctors showing through?

Pink and peach correctors neutralize redness and hide better under foundation. They also brighten under eye darkness.

What is the easiest way to fix mascara smudges?

Let the mascara dry completely, then gently rub it off with a spoolie. It flakes away without disturbing makeup underneath.

Why should I exfoliate my lips before applying lip color?

Exfoliating removes dry flakes so lip products apply smoothly. Otherwise, lip color will cling to texture and look uneven.

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With my tips for better looking makeup you can avoid cakey foundation, scary eyebrows, an orange face, and the list goes on. I guarantee that a few of these tips will be new to you, while others are tried and true. As with anything, the absolute best way to get lovely looking makeup is with practice! What is something embarrassing you used to do with makeup? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

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