WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN AT 20
My makeup skills when I first started working as a journalist were as rudimentary as my ability to write a decent news story.
In a word: crap.
Yes, I knew the pyramid style of writing a story. They did at least teach me that much in three years of uni. But any flare factor my employers had been hoping I might bring to the job were well and truly lacking.
Similarly with my ability to apply makeup.
Turns out that makeup application is indeed hereditary. How your mum wore her blush or her lippy is likely to be how you do – or did – too.
For me that meant a dust of face powder, a single unflattering eye shadow colour across the lids, a little bit of mascara and a bright ’80s fuchsia lippy courtesy of my girlfriend who “wo-manned” the only makeup counter in the small town in which I was working.
OH. DEAR.
I would like to say that makeup things improved dramatically and concurrently with my on-the-job journo training. But they didn’t.
Makeup remained a great mystery to me. A mystery I never really grasped until post-40. Which is a bloody good thing because that’s when I’ve needed those skills even more.
So, how did I solve the mysteries of makeup? It’s a work in progress but part of that progress has been getting lessons from makeup artists. They are the experts, after all.
Here are the top 5 tips I’ve learned that I wish I’d known at 20.
1. Use brushes to apply a liquid foundation: I now use professional brushes for most of my makeup application but if you only ever buy one brush, make it a good-quality foundation one. Not only will it give your foundation a more even and consistent application but it will also make your bottle or tube of foundation last way longer because you need to use so much less. Recommended product: Benefit Foundation Brush $39.
2. Help your makeup go the distance: This is a biggie for me. I’m not one who’s in the least bit interested in carrying around a full makeup kit for touch-ups during the day.
A couple of extra steps and products during your makeup application will make all the difference between your makeup sliding off your face or still being in place at the end of a long night or day. First up, use a primer BEFORE your foundation goes on.
Think of a primer like lots of teeny tiny silky velcro dots holding your foundation to your face. Recommended product: L’Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Light Concentrated Primer $29.95.
Then … after you’ve put your face on, dust over the top with an invisible setting power. This will not only seal your product but also give you a lovely glow. Recommended product: The Foundation Invisible Blotting Powder $45.
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14 Responses to this article
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Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right June 14, 2012
I was just like you – crap at makeup, despite having 2 older sisters. What really helped me was having one of those make-up lessons some of the big brands offer and they deduct the cost from the makeup, and I seriously needed new makeup, so it worked out well. Plus it meant for the first time ever I had a good (expensive) foundation, but it was so worth it and I don’t think I’d go cheap again. I also got a primer and brush as you mention – also now staples. They also taught me to put on eyeshadow first, which I don’t always do – old habits die hard I guess. My biggest tip if you struggle with makeup is to adopt a teenage daughter. Mine does my makeup far better than I ever can!
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Nikki @ Styling You June 14, 2012
Exactly the way to go Rachel! And I’m with you on the foundation – it’s not just the price of the product – it’s getting that exact match with your complexion that makes a huge difference. I’ve got a teenage daughter too and she did a makeup lesson as part of a deportment and grooming course at the end of her first year in high school – was best investment in not making bad makeup moves from the start!
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The Foundation - Lessons on Makeup June 14, 2012
They’re great tips Nikki! We throughly enjoyed doing the makeup lesson with you and your friends, sharing some tried and true makeup tips! One thing we’d like to add is Eye Primer… that will change your makeup life. By putting that on your eyelids your eyeshadow will not budge and not to mention how great it looks alone.
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Nikki @ Styling You June 14, 2012
Loved your lesson! It was about the 4th I’ve had from professional makeup artists since turning 40 – best thing you can do … but don’t wait till you’re 40! Oh and BTW love the eye primer. Love!
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JessB June 14, 2012
In some of the classic children’s books I read, like The Chalet School and Mallory Towers, they talk about giving the older girls make up lessons, and letting them wear “casual” clothes in the evenings. The idea is that they would learn how to do both of those things properly. I LOVED this idea, and wish it had been implemented at my school. It would have been a great chance for them to talk to us about the importance of presentation.
I too am crap at make-up, and simply don’t wear any in my day to day life. I’ll occasionally put on eye make up if it a special occasion – eye shadow and mascara – and love a red lippy to make myself feel special, but that’s it. Nikki, you’ve reminded me that it’s never too late. I want to learn how to wear eye liner, and do that cute winged style I love seeing Adele wear.
Thanks for the inspiration, and for the tips! Who know, I might work up the courage to try foundation again? And now I know about primer!
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Nikki @ Styling You June 14, 2012
Never too late! And a good makeup artist will give you tricks to suit your age and style – not just the latest trends. I am a big fan of adding a red – or bright lippy – changes my mood instantly!
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sam June 14, 2012
I liked the fact you recommended less expensive products you can buy at the supermarket of Kmart. So many beauty writers get caught up in the fabulousness of le Prairie and Yves Sant Laurent:)
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Nikki @ Styling You June 14, 2012
Thanks Sam, I’m very conscious that most of us are on budgets. And I truly believe that the products available at the supermarket or discount retailers can do the job of the big players. Yes, I’ll splurge on certain things – like face serums, foundation (mainly because I need that colour match) and my fave beach sunscreen (because I’ve long narrowed it down as the one that works for me) but for a lot of things in between, there are great substitutes. It’s a bit of trial and error but that would be the case with the big ticket items too.
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Belinda June 14, 2012
Thanks for those tips Nikki! About to turn 35 and I am still too scared to wear eye liner too. Sounds like it is never too late to learn though. And must look for eye primer at the same time too.
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Nikki @ Styling You June 14, 2012
Never too late … once I learned how to apply eyeliner I lost the fear!
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Nicole June 20, 2012
OMG – number 3 – at 44 years of age, last night I gave eyeliner yet another go and BEHOLD! the perfect fine line of just there definition which has eluded me all my make-up life. THANK YOU – simple advice has never looked so good.
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Nikki @ Styling You June 24, 2012
Awesome, Nicole!!
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