Put your best face forward with these handy tips and tricks.
In the past few decades makeup has become so sophisticated and user-friendly that achieving a look that is both beautiful and natural is easier than ever before. In order to make sure you always look your best,
Elizabeth Arden makeup artists Gina Myers, Melissa van Zyl and Nthato Mashishi have a few simple makeup tips to help make your face your fortune.
• Never skimp on quality. Since makeup is something you use on your skin every day, don't be tempted to buy a wide range of cheap products. Rather, keep your selection small and invest in only the best brands.
• The most important product of all is your foundation, says van Zyl. If you have the right colour for your skin tone it forms the perfect palette for whatever other colours you choose to wear.
• Make sure your foundation is suited to your skin type. If you're inclined towards oiliness, an oil-based product will clog your pores and lead to breakouts, while a very matte product could make dry skin look flaky. If you're not sure of your skin type, ask a cosmetics consultant for advice.
• Remember that makeup is there to enhance your natural beauty and emphasise your best assets, says van Zyl. Beautiful, full lips? Rock them with a sexy gloss. Nice bone structure? Highlighter and blush are your BFFs. Pretty eyes? A bit of clever shading and lashings of mascara will make them even more irresistible.
• Makeup trends come and go, but the trick is to incorporate them into your own personal style in a way that optimises your look, advises Myers. If you love the 'cat eye' look, for example, it's a good idea to have a makeup artist show you how to do it first, and advise on whether this look is, actually right for you. Ditto on the use of bold, 'risky' colours such as bright green, yellow or aquamarine. They can either look amazing, or completely wrong. It's much more important that your makeup work with you rather than follow trends.
• Like your clothes, your makeup needs to be appropriate. Cautions Mashishi, 'A look for a business executive is totally different to one for a ramp model or night out on the town. When you buy your makeup, choose a palette that is versatile enough to create the right looks for the any occasion.'
• Use the duos - today, a lot of eye shadow comes in a set of two or three colours, making it super-easy to do your own shading. For daywear, or if you're in a hurry, just apply one of the lighter shades. For evening, or if you have a bit of extra time, use two or three shades for a seductively smoky eye.
MAKEUP ARTIST FAVOURITES
Our makeup pros suggested you try the following Elizabeth Arden products:
Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation for its natural-looking coverage and wide range of shades, especially for darker skin tones.
Intervene Makeup SPF 15: Its creamy texture not only gives great coverage, but also contains active anti-aging ingredients.
Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant for its versatility. This is a cult product that been around since 1930 and is a standard tool-of-the-trade and ideal for eyebrows and lips.