OK, assuming your skincare routine is immaculate (right?), sometimes a girl just can't escape smog, hormones and sleepless nights. But what do you do when a raging blemish or suitcase-sized undereye bags attack, and you're about to show off your pretty face? Cover those babies up -- the flawless way! We combed through copious notes on interviews with experts like celebrity makeup artists Charlie Green and Molly Stern to find out how to fake a perfect complexion -- no matter what kind of lighting you're in. Follow the eight essential makeup steps we came up with to make the most out of your misbehaving skin. From moisturizer to powder, these tips will have you looking radiant and feeling more confident in no time!
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Step 1: Moisturize
After washing your face, put on a lightweight serum like anti-aging Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, $17.50, if your skin tends to get oily throughout the day, or a rich moisturizer like SK-II Facial Hydrating UV Cream, $92, if you have normal-to-dry skin. Wait several minutes for it to absorb. If your skin still feels dry, add another layer or simply spot-treat areas that tend to get flaky.
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Step 2: Prime
Not everyone needs a primer, says Stern, but if you have texture issues (bumps, wrinkles, acne, scars, etc.), it can help smooth your skin and provide a better canvas for the rest of your makeup. Primer also works to keep your makeup on longer and control excess oil, minimizing the need for touch-ups. Apply it with a dry makeup sponge after your moisturizer has fully absorbed.
The key to a flawless face is well-blended foundation. Choose a lightweight liquid that matches your skin color exactly and offers medium coverage. (Try COVERGIRL Clean Makeup for Sensitive Skin, $5.99.) If you can't find a perfect color match, try mixing the two closest shades for a custom match. Blend on your face with a dry cosmetic wedge sponge, moving outward toward your ears and neck. Keep blending until you don't see any lines, then blend a few seconds more just to be sure. (If possible, take a hand mirror outside to check your work in natural -- and honest -- lighting.)
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Step 4: Conceal
Use a corrective concealer to camouflage flaws -- for bluish undereye circles, use yellow- or orange-tinted concealer like COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Corrector, $11.99; for red pimples, use a green corrective concealer; and for brown spots, use a pinkish concealer. Blend a bit of the concealer with a smidgen of your foundation to help it better match your skin color. Then either use a small concealer blush or your finger to pat -- not rub -- the mixture onto the area you're concealing. Blend the edges outward until you can't tell where the concealer mixture ends and your foundation begins. Tip: If the mixture seems too thick or cakey, add a bit of moisturizer to it to thin it out.
OK, assuming your skincare routine is immaculate (right?), sometimes a girl just can't escape smog, hormones and sleepless nights. But what do you do when a raging blemish or suitcase-sized undereye bags attack, and you're about to show off your pretty face? Cover those babies up -- the flawless way! We combed through copious notes on interviews with experts like celebrity makeup artists Charlie Green and Molly Stern to find out how to fake a perfect complexion -- no matter what kind of lighting you're in. Follow the eight essential makeup steps we came up with to make the most out of your misbehaving skin. From moisturizer to powder, these tips will have you looking radiant and feeling more confident in no time!
