Not unlike my views on style, I think makeup should be whatever you want it to be. From drag makeup to no makeup, it's all a valid facet of how you express yourself to the world. My personal favorite makeup look is simple timeless glamour like that of Elizabeth Montgomery in Bewitched. Below is a step-by-step guide to achieve the look. You can use whatever products you like, but in case you have a hankering for some suggestions, I will list some of my favorites at the bottom of the post.
1. Primer
For a smooth photo-ready look, start with a makeup primer of your choosing. Depending on your preference, you can use a clear one or one that has some pigment in it. Primer will also help your makeup last all day.
For a smooth photo-ready look, start with a makeup primer of your choosing. Depending on your preference, you can use a clear one or one that has some pigment in it. Primer will also help your makeup last all day.
2. Tinted Moisturizer and Concealer
If you are human and have some slight "imperfections", feel free to conceal them with a tinted moisturizer and concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. I typically use a little bit of concealer under my eyes and around the corners of my nose, as well as on any lingering spots. Typically, it is best to avoid using the brushes that come with the product and use your finger or a concealer brush instead.
If you are human and have some slight "imperfections", feel free to conceal them with a tinted moisturizer and concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. I typically use a little bit of concealer under my eyes and around the corners of my nose, as well as on any lingering spots. Typically, it is best to avoid using the brushes that come with the product and use your finger or a concealer brush instead.
3. Eyeshadow Primer
This may seem redundant since we already prepped our entire face with primer, but eyeshadow primer really helps the color of your eyeshadow to fully shine, while also preventing the dreaded crease (where unwanted eyeshadow seems to go to die). Place a small dollop of eyeshadow primer on your index finger and cover the entirety of your each eyelid all the way up underneath your eyebrow.
This may seem redundant since we already prepped our entire face with primer, but eyeshadow primer really helps the color of your eyeshadow to fully shine, while also preventing the dreaded crease (where unwanted eyeshadow seems to go to die). Place a small dollop of eyeshadow primer on your index finger and cover the entirety of your each eyelid all the way up underneath your eyebrow.
4. Eyeshadow
You guessed it, once our eyes are perfectly primed, it's time to move on to the shadow. I prefer to do the eyes before moving onto powder and blush so that if any eyeshadow falls onto my face, I can always clean it up and re-conceal before setting everything with powder. This is the most customizable part of this look, as you can use any color or texture you like. I prefer to go with a slightly shimmery nude all over the lid, complemented by a bronze contour in the crease and the outer corner of the eye, dusting a little bit underneath the eye for balance.
You guessed it, once our eyes are perfectly primed, it's time to move on to the shadow. I prefer to do the eyes before moving onto powder and blush so that if any eyeshadow falls onto my face, I can always clean it up and re-conceal before setting everything with powder. This is the most customizable part of this look, as you can use any color or texture you like. I prefer to go with a slightly shimmery nude all over the lid, complemented by a bronze contour in the crease and the outer corner of the eye, dusting a little bit underneath the eye for balance.
5. Eyebrows
This step is optional. If you have perfectly defined eyebrows as is, feel free to move right along to the next step. My eyebrows, on the other hand, are pretty invisible without the help of a little makeup magic. I prefer to use a lightly pigmented eyebrow powder or pencil to fill them in just enough to frame the eye. Try to avoid wax-based pencils particularly in the summertime, as the color will melt in the heat.
This step is optional. If you have perfectly defined eyebrows as is, feel free to move right along to the next step. My eyebrows, on the other hand, are pretty invisible without the help of a little makeup magic. I prefer to use a lightly pigmented eyebrow powder or pencil to fill them in just enough to frame the eye. Try to avoid wax-based pencils particularly in the summertime, as the color will melt in the heat.
6. Eyelash Curler
To avoid smearing, use your eyelash curler before applying eyeliner and mascara. Move the curler to the base of your lashes and slowly close the curler while your eye is still open, keeping the curler closed for about five seconds per eye.
To avoid smearing, use your eyelash curler before applying eyeliner and mascara. Move the curler to the base of your lashes and slowly close the curler while your eye is still open, keeping the curler closed for about five seconds per eye.
7. Eyeliner
Eyeliner is perhaps the most definitive feature of this look. From the beautiful makeup of midcentury films to the modern runway, the cat eye is truly a perennial classic. This works best with liquid liner, but if you suffer from an unsteady hand like me, I suggest drawing on the line with an eyeliner pencil first and then tracing over it with a liquid eyeliner. Ideally, the line will be thinnest toward the inner corner of your eye and will be gradually thicker toward the outer corner until it wings outward.
Eyeliner is perhaps the most definitive feature of this look. From the beautiful makeup of midcentury films to the modern runway, the cat eye is truly a perennial classic. This works best with liquid liner, but if you suffer from an unsteady hand like me, I suggest drawing on the line with an eyeliner pencil first and then tracing over it with a liquid eyeliner. Ideally, the line will be thinnest toward the inner corner of your eye and will be gradually thicker toward the outer corner until it wings outward.
8. Mascara
Once your liner has had a few seconds to dry, apply a few coats of your favorite mascara. For added drama, feel free to apply false eyelashes if you please!
Once your liner has had a few seconds to dry, apply a few coats of your favorite mascara. For added drama, feel free to apply false eyelashes if you please!
9. Highlight
To add a little more pop to the eye, add a little bit of highlight underneath the brow and in the inner corners of your eyes. Optionally, add a little highlight to the top of the cheekbones and anywhere else desired.
To add a little more pop to the eye, add a little bit of highlight underneath the brow and in the inner corners of your eyes. Optionally, add a little highlight to the top of the cheekbones and anywhere else desired.
10. Blush
Next, apply a rosy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend outward toward your ears along your cheekbone. Blend with a clean brush in round strokes after applying. The color should look much subtler than it does in my cartoon.
Next, apply a rosy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend outward toward your ears along your cheekbone. Blend with a clean brush in round strokes after applying. The color should look much subtler than it does in my cartoon.
11. Lips
First, line your lips with a neutral lip liner and fill in. Then, add lip stain or gloss in your color of choice and blot your lips with a tissue to ensure none will come off. If need be, clean up around the edges of your lips with a little concealer. You can go very subtle with a neutral lip color or add a punch of color with a bold pink or red as pictured.
First, line your lips with a neutral lip liner and fill in. Then, add lip stain or gloss in your color of choice and blot your lips with a tissue to ensure none will come off. If need be, clean up around the edges of your lips with a little concealer. You can go very subtle with a neutral lip color or add a punch of color with a bold pink or red as pictured.
12. Powder
Using a pressed or loose powder depending on your preference, swirl your brush around and apply powder underneath the blush line, on the chin, around the mouth, on the nose, and on your forehead. You can also apply a little powder under the eyes to set any under eye concealer. I have found that pressed powder seems to have more staying power, but of course, this is totally up to you.
Optionally, to seal in all of your hard work, mist on setting spray in an x-shaped pattern, 10 inches away from your face. If needed, dust with a little more powder to alleviate shine.
Using a pressed or loose powder depending on your preference, swirl your brush around and apply powder underneath the blush line, on the chin, around the mouth, on the nose, and on your forehead. You can also apply a little powder under the eyes to set any under eye concealer. I have found that pressed powder seems to have more staying power, but of course, this is totally up to you.
Optionally, to seal in all of your hard work, mist on setting spray in an x-shaped pattern, 10 inches away from your face. If needed, dust with a little more powder to alleviate shine.
Drawings by me inspired by Hanna Barbera's opening cartoon for Bewitched.
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