Extras in your beauty arsenal – You’ll be prepared for an unforgettable night, provided that you remember to bring along such tools as oil-absorbing rice paper, dual wet-and-dry foundation, and a
selection of shimmer crayon colors.
Subtle, natural-looking makeup is the perfect way to look polished, but not overdone while out and about during the day. However, that same perfectly finished makeup has a tendency to look washed out when the sun goes down. Here are a few quick and easy ways to dress up your look for a romantic candlelit dinner or a night on the town.
Makeup tends to look best when applied in light layers, so giving your look a boost for evening isn’t difficult. Start first with rice paper or blotting paper to help remove oil without disturbing any of the makeup you already have applied. Most blotting papers also contain a very small amount of powder to help better eliminate shine. Using rice paper or blotting paper throughout the day is also a great way to help prevent imperfections caused by excess oil buildup on the skin.
If it is too late to prevent a blemish or a long day has given you dark circles under your eyes, concealer can be a girl’s best friend. Choose a color that is slightly lighter than your skin tone and gently dot the area to be covered. For dark circles and spots or blemishes, start with a yellow or green corrective concealer shade, and then layer on your regular concealer shade. Yellow corrects dark circles and green corrects the redness caused by blemishes.
To achieve a dazzling makeover for evening, start with your usual polished look, then add to the drama with layers.
Touch up your foundation as you need to, but try to keep it light. Too much foundation has a way of accentuating fine lines and masking the skin’s natural glow. A dual wet-and-dry foundation is great for touchups. It can be used wet for more coverage or dry for just a little coverage, and you never have to worry about your foundation and your powder matching.
To intensify your eye makeup, darken your shadow or, for even more contrast, opt for a shadow that adds a bit more shine. For longer lasting shadow and a more dramatic look, dip your shadow brush into clean water and apply the shadow with the damp brush. When the shadow dries, blend it out with a dry brush. Highlighting the brow bone is another way to intensify the eyes. Using a light shimmer crayon or shimmer powder, apply to the brow bone and then blend. You can use the same shimmer effect to brighten the inside corner of the eye.
Liquid eyeliner in black also will add a bit of drama, or if you are especially daring, opt for a lush lavender or smoky blue. Start as close to the lashes as you can and pull the brush to the outer corner of the eye. A thin line will make the lashes look incredibly long. Use a black eyeliner pencil to line the lashes and then smudge it for a soft, romantic effect.
Don’t forget the brows. If you have light brows, they will get lost with darker eyes. You don’t have to create super-dark lines, but a light sable pencil will help provide the extra depth you need.
Finish the look with a high-shine lip gloss. A slightly darker shade of lip liner will help to define your lips but won’t over-exaggerate their natural shape. Lip liner will also help keep your gloss in place.
Ernie McCraw is director of beauty education for Sally Beauty Company, the world’s largest distributor of professional beauty products. A licensed cosmetologist for more than 30 years, he is a frequent contributor to fashion and beauty publications nationwide.
PHOTOS BY SALLY BEAUTY SUPPLY
UP CLOSE AND COLORFUL – Reworking the eyes and lips for evening is simple and effective with the proper tools and techniques.
Just as you wouldn’t expect to paint a masterpiece with a box of crayons, you can’t achieve cosmetics perfection without the proper tools. This guide can help you make all the right strokes.
