The Beauty Bar Blog

Tag: makeup

Tips for Wearing Makeup with Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses and also like to wear makeup, you have probably experienced the irritation and discomfort of getting makeup under your lenses. Here are some tips for wearing makeup with contacts.

Be sure that your hands are clean before you put in your contacts. Insert them before you apply makeup, moisturizer, or any other product. Residue from beauty products could irritate your eyes. You should also make sure that your hands are dry before you insert your contacts. Tap water can contain a parasite that can be dangerous to the eyes, so make sure that your contacts and case never touch water.

Change your contacts frequently. Daily lenses are your best option if you like to wear a lot of eye makeup. You can prevent many problems by starting with a fresh pair of contacts every morning.

If you do not want to use daily contacts, be sure to clean the ones you choose to use thoroughly every day. Use a multipurpose solution that your optometrist recommends, rub your contacts for 15 to 20 seconds, and then place them in a case with fresh solution. Clean both the top and bottom of your case every day with multipurpose contact solution or three-percent hydrogen peroxide. Dirty cases are one of the most common causes of eye infections.

Avoid using products with oil around your eyes. Oil will be attracted to your lenses and make them cloudy. This will not hurt your eyes, but it can make it difficult to see clearly.

Do not apply makeup to the lid ledge, the part of your eyelid that touches your eyeballs. This is where your eyes’ oil glands open. If you block them with makeup, you can wind up with dry eyes, dirty lenses, and possibly even sties.

Avoid mascaras that cause clumps or release excess particles or fibers. Instead, use a traditional lengthening and volumizing mascara to avoid irritating your eyes.

Use lid wipes to completely remove makeup. This will prevent residue from getting into your eyes and causing irritation.

If you follow these tips, you can wear makeup every day without having to worry about it affecting your eyes.

Makeup Tricks to Take Years off Your Appearance

If age is taking a toll on your appearance, these makeup tricks can help you look years younger.

Apply concealer lightly with a concealer brush. Using your fingertips can transfer oil to your skin, which will prevent you from creating a smooth application. Apply the concealer with curved, U-shaped strokes. Blend to right above your cheekbones. Spread the concealer out a little beyond any dark spots.

Reshape your eyebrows. The right shape can make you look less tired. You should avoid a shade that is too dark in order to give your eyes a fresh look.

Create a contoured chin line by applying a subtle bronzer that is two shades darker than your foundation or your natural skin tone using a contouring face brush. Applying the bronzer along your jaw line and under your chin will make your face appear slimmer. It will also make the area under your chin appear tighter and firmer. You should also apply bronzer on your forehead and cheekbones. Lightly blend the bronzer all over your face to keep the appearance smooth and even.

Next, apply highlighter to your cheekbones using light strokes. Then apply some to the corners of your forehead above the corners of your eyebrows. Apply a thin and light layer of highlighter to your nose, beginning between your eyebrows and continuing down to the top of your nose.

Use neutral colors for eye makeup, such as beige, brown, or black, to highlight certain areas. Highlight right below your eyebrows and the corners of your eyes to minimize the appearance of dark circles. Keep the makeup between the crease of your eyelid and the highlighted area beneath the brow bone. Next, shade the crease line with a darker color and blend a little above and below the crease line to give your eyes more dimension. Finally, apply eye liner and mascara to the top of your lid and your top lashes, and define the corners of your eyes with black eye shadow.

The Proper Way to Use Concealer

Concealer is an essential part of your beauty routine, but you may not be applying it properly or using it to its full effect. Here are some common concealer mistakes and what you should do instead.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to whether you should apply concealer before or after foundation. If you want to cover up eye circles, apply it before. If you want your face to appear free of blemishes, apply it after your foundation.

When you apply makeup, your hands touch many products. If you apply concealer with your fingers, those other products could interfere with its appearance. Instead, use a concealer brush for an even application. For an airbrush-like appearance, apply your concealer with light tapping motions, rather than strokes.

Concealers come in a variety of textures, and it is important to use the right one for each part of your face. Liquid concealer is better for under your eyes, since a cream concealer can crease and create a cake-like appearance.

Concealer can also be used as foundation. If you want lighter coverage, instead of foundation, use a little bit of concealer to even your skin tone.

If you want to give your face a contoured appearance, use a darker shade of concealer on your cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Then use a lighter concealer on the center of your nose, the center of your forehead, and the apples of your cheeks.

After you apply your concealer, finish it off with powder. This is important to set your concealer, which will prevent it from sliding off your face later.

Use concealer to prime your face before applying makeup to your eyes or lips. It will act as a neutralizing base and make the color of your eye shadow or lipstick stand out. A lighter color will also make your lips appear more plump.

Use concealer sparingly. The less you apply, the more natural your makeup will appear. You will also save money.

Be sure to remove all of your concealer at night to prevent blocked pores. Use makeup remover wipes and a gentle cleanser to thoroughly clean your face.

Following this advice can help you get the most out of your daily makeup routine.

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

You take the time every day to put on makeup to look your best, but it’s easy to forget to clean your brushes. Taking care of your makeup brushes is important to make your appearance look even and flawless.

No matter whether you use brushes with natural or synthetic bristles, if you take proper care of them, your brushes should last for years. Experts recommend cleaning your brushes once a week to remove bacteria, oil, and makeup that can make your skin tone look undefined.

Many products are sold that can help you thoroughly clean your makeup brushes. These include liquids, sprays, and solid cleaners. You can also use old-fashioned baby shampoo, or create your own shampoo using recipes you can find online.

Whatever type of cleaning product you choose, remember that you want to remove makeup, oil, and bacteria gently. A harsh cleaner can cause your brush to dry out, especially if it is made of hair, which is more sensitive than synthetic bristles.

While some people use oil or conditioner on makeup brushes, it is important to remove it completely. Any leftover residue can attract powder, which can make your makeup appear uneven.

There are different methods that work to clean makeup brushes, but it is always important to keep the ferrula (the metal band that holds the bristles) from getting too wet, because that can break down the glue that holds the bristles in place. It is ok to get the ferrula a little wet, but don’t submerge the brush completely in water.

To wash your brush, hold it under running water with the bristles pointing down to get them wet. Then put some shampoo or cleaner in the palm of your hand, dab the brush in the cleaner, and work it through the bristles with your fingers, rubbing them together and swirling them in your palm. Then hold your brush under the water with the bristles pointing down, and squeeze and swirl the brush until the water runs clear. Blot the brush on a hand towel, and then lay it next to the sink to air dry.

If you want to clean your brushes every day, daily sprays are available. Most contain alcohol, which can dry out the bristles, so be careful not to use too much.

If you follow these simple steps to keep your brushes clean, you can have your makeup look smooth and even every day.

Some Tried and True Beauty Tips

Many makeup and beauty tips have stood the test of time.

To Start:

  • Avoid touching your face if you don’t have to. The oils on your fingertips can cause breakouts.
  • Don’t squeeze pimples. This can damage the tissue and cause scarring or pits.
  • When applying cream or cleanser, press lightly upward, not downward. The skin is delicate and can start to sag.
  • To find the best color, test foundation and powder on your face or neck. The inside of your wrist is too pale.
  • To prevent makeup from fading as the day wears on, apply a primer before applying foundation. Use foundation instead of concealer to cover redness or blemishes.
  • Before you apply powder, blow the excess off the brush. This will prevent it from flaking. Apply powder with a downward motion to smooth facial hairs. Apply other makeup with an upward motion.
  • Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks – the parts that puff out when you smile. Blend rouge far out on the cheekbones, not in circles.
  • To freshen your makeup, press a tissue on oily parts of your face, such as your forehead, nose, and chin. Then use a brush to apply a thin layer of pressed powder.
  • If you are attending a special event, apply your makeup earlier in the day and touch it up before you leave. That will make it look more natural and have you feeling less rushed later.
  • For soft, smooth lips, use a damp, warm washcloth at night to rub off dry, flaky skin. Then apply lip balm.
  • If you are changing from a lighter to a darker shade of lipstick, ease the transition by applying the darker shade over the lighter one and blending. To make your lipstick last longer, allow it to set for a few minutes after applying. Then blot your lips with a tissue, dust them with powder, and apply more lipstick.
  • If your cheeks are flushed, using a bold color lipstick can lessen the effect. A neutral lipstick will make your cheeks appear redder.
  • To make lip liner glide on, warm it up by pinching it with your fingertips. To prevent lipstick from bleeding, apply a little concealer around your lips. To ensure complete coverage, smile when you apply your lipstick.

Following these timeless tips can help you look your best everyday.

Airbrush Makeup is great for girls to use when getting Senior Portraits done. No more retouching makeup in-between outfit changes!