Make-up Topics
Make-up in Humid Weather
Wearing make-up in humid Singapore weather can be a struggle. Here are some make-up tips that will ensure your make-up will stay put all day:
Keep your make-up light. Heavy foundation will cake and melt in the humidity, leaving you with a streaky look. To keep foundation in place during humid weather, use a fluffy powder brush to apply a light dusting of powder as this will absorb the excess oil. Never press powder into the skin or it will cake when you perspire with the humidity.
To stop your eye make-up from creasing in the folds of your upper lids, always apply foundation and powder to your eye area before applying colour. This will keep your natural oils from your skin from mixing with the eyeshadow and creasing.
Humidity and high temperatures will melt the wax in your eyeliner and lipliner. Keeping them in the fridge will ensure a clean line is achieved every time.
Lipsticks are made of 95% wax so make sure they’re stored away from windows or hot bathroom lights, which can melt lipstick.
Makeup Basics
Foundation
Foundation evens out your complexion and covers your imperfections. It makes your skin appear flawless, natural and give it a natural glow. Click here for tips on applying foundation.
Concealer
Concealer is a miracle product that hides broken capillaries, undereye circles and acne scars. It can come in tubes, wands or pots. Click here for tips on concealing dark circles and blemishes.
Powder
Powder is an absolute necessity for setting foundation and concealer. It helps absorb the skin’s natural oils to help control shine throughout the day. Most women skip powder when in rush or think that it will look cakey on the skin which is incorrect as your make-up won't last the day without it.
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow enhances and adds shape to the eyes. It can come in many finishes such as matte, shimmer, iridescent to frosty.
Eyeliner
Eyeliner defines and brings out the eyes.
Brow Powder
Brow Powder
Brow Powder is the most natural way to fill in the eyebrows. A well-groomed brow can make eyes appear larger and can instantly lift your face. Click here for tips on eyebrow shaping.
Mascara
Mascara gives you long, full, thick and dark lashes.
Blusher
Blusher adds a warm glow to the face and can brighten dull skin.
Lip Liner
Lip Liner
Lip Liner defines your lips and prevents your lip colour from bleeding into fine lines. Using a lip liner improves the staying power of any lip colour that your apply.
Lip Colour
Lip Colour is the best way to set the mood of your look. You can use lipstick for a defined look or a gloss for a natural look. Click here for tips on creating luscious lips.
Makeup Textures
Makeup has different textures and finishes such as shiny, matte, iridescent and sheer. The same colour can look completely different when you vary the texture. It can be the key to updating your makeup look and keep it current.
Here is a list of different make-up textures:
Matte
Matte is used to describe eyeshadow, lipstick, foundation, powder and even blusher. It has no shine and can give a flat look. Products that are matte tend to be drier on the skin but can last longer.
Shimmer
Shimmer is about shine and sparkle. It is the opposite of matte. Lipsticks with shimmer can make your lips look bigger as it contains tiny iridescent particles.
Gloss
Gloss is usually found in lipsticks. It has short staying power.
Sheer
Sheer is thinner and more transparent. It can help mature skin look brighter and less lined.
Iridescent
Iridescent is about maximum shine and sparkle. These work best on young skin for a fun, sexy look.
Metallic
Metallic can be found in lipsticks, eyeshadows and eye pencils and this has a shiny metal finish. It can look harsh on light and mature skin.
Luminous
Luminous usually describes a foundation or concealer with light reflecting qualities. It creates a glowing, refined look.
Satin
Satin products are not as flat as matte and not as shiny as shimmer. Satin is particulary good for older skin as it glides on the skin smoothly.
Essential Make-up Tools
Just like an artist needs good brushes to create their paintings, you will need good tools to apply make-up. Using tools and brushes will take you less time to apply your make-up and your make-up will stay on longer. Even expensive make-up can look overdone and streaky if it's put on with fingers and wrong tools.
Here is a list of handy tools you should use in your make-up regime:
Pencil Sharpener
This is identical to the one you would have used at school, except this one is strictly for eye and lip pencils! Having sharpened pencils gives you a more accurate application and it's important to keep your eye pencils clean to avoid eye infections.
Tweezers
These are to clean up your eyebrows. Look for a pair that you can hold easily and avoid pointed tips which can pinch your skin.
Eyelash Curler
Eyelash Curlers crimp your eyelashes upwards which makes them look longer. Apply your mascara after curling and wash the rubber curling pad often.
Cotton Swabs
These are perfect for blending and to remove any eyeshadow or mascara mistakes.
Latex Wedges
Wedges are great for applying foundation and cleaning up smudges under the eyes.
Keeping Makeup Hygenic
You should be aware that bacteria and bugs like to breed in humid weather! The following tips should keep you nice and clean:
Get in the habit of cleaning your makeup brushes and applicators regularly in antiseptic soap.
Never use makeup that is outdated, especially around the eye area. Throw away any makeup products that has discoloured, has an unusual smell or has separated. Mascara is one product that should be replaced every 3 months.
Tapping off excess blusher from your brush before applying to your face is a great idea, however never blow on the bristles as you’ll spread bacteria from your mouth onto the brush.
Lipsticks that have changed texture or colour from the humid climate can be given a shave – just slice off the top and the sides of the lipstick.
Being an Informed Shopper
The mistake with many women when purchasing make-up is that they are not informed shoppers, and they are often talked into buying products that will not suit their colouring or lifestyle. These products are always the ones that sit in the bottom of their make-up bag.
To avoid this, the best thing you can do is get to know yourself confidently. Know the colours, textures and finishes that work best for you. If dark matte lipsticks are the trend of the season, these will not suit you if you have thin lips - you should be looking for light lip colours with frost or gloss for their plumping effect. It’s useful to know that some cosmetic brands have a “rewards” system for their staff who promotes their current makeup promotion, so you may be led to products that do not complement you at all.
Flying and your Skin
Living in Singapore can often mean lots of flying to exotic island getaways or long haul flights back home to visit the family. No matter how long the flight is or which end of the plane you’re sitting in, flying can be havoc for your skin.
While it’s appealing to load up your in-flight beauty bag with lots of products, it’s better to keep it simple. Here are the essential products you should carry with you:
Make-up Remover Wipes to remove your make-up and clean and protect your skin
Eye Cream to avoid dehydration lines and an Eye Gel to reduce puffiness on landing
Moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated. Avoid gel texture as it can cause drier skins to tighten.
Lip Balm to prevent your lips from chapping
Toner or Moisture Spritz that contains moisture-binding ingredients to keep the moisture in the skin.
Travelling With MakeUp
Your travel makeup bag should always contain miniatures of your makeup products as this will protect them in case of spills, (miniature bottles and tubs can be found in any chemist or pharmacy store). Lipsticks can be cut and mashed into a mini tub.
If you're travelling somewhere warm, remember to pack sunscreen and you may want to leave your regular foundation behind and take a tinted moisturiser instead. Applying translucent powder over the tinted moisturiser can minimize the shine and create a polished evening look.
iKeep your makeup simple. One eyeshadow, an eye pencil, mascara and blusher is all you'll need on holiday. For lips, decide on no more than three colours and lip balm is crucial for keeping lips moisturised underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to test if a foundation is the right shade for you?
Testing foundation on your jawline is the best place to test foundation. With a cotton bud, draw stripes of foundation on the jawline and then check them in natural light, (you may have to pop outside the make-up shop to do this). Never test foundation on your hands as they are usually darker than your face from being exposed to more UV light and less exfoliation.
I have invested in make-up brushes. What is the best way to clean them?
It’s very important to keep your make-up brushes clean. Not just for hygienic reasons but also your make-up will look more defined. To wash your brushes, wet the bristles and clean with an antiseptic liquid soap. Rinse thoroughly, and air-dry the brushes overnight with the handles on the counter with the bristles hanging over the edge. Never leave them to dry in an upright position as water will seep into the handles, causing them to rot.
I wear glasses. What are my options for eye make-up?
For a defined look, curl your lashes, apply eyeliner and one coat of mascara. Never wear frosted or glittery eyeshadow as this will give a dirty look under your glasses.
I have mature skin. What make-up should I avoid?
For mature skin, avoid eyeshadows and lip colour that have a “Frost” or “Iridescent” finish as it can draw attention to fine lines. Also, avoid matte lipsticks as these can dry your lips. Anything with a “Metallic” finish such as lipsticks, eyeshadows and eye pencils can be too harsh for mature skin types. Click here for more tips on make-up for mature skin.
How long does certain make-up last? Is it when I’ve noticed that the product has separated?
Make-up does not last forever and using old products can cause sensitivity and infections, especially in humid weather! Here are the typical guidelines for make-up products:
2 years – Powder and Powder Blusher
1 year – Foundation, Concealer, Eye Pencils, Eyeshadow and Lipsticks
6 months – Cream Blusher
3 months - Mascara
I have bushy eyebrows. What is the best way to shape them?
I would consider having your eyebrows professionally shaped, and then you can follow that shape at home by tweezing regularly. Investing in a spiral-bristled brush, (it looks like a mascara wand), will help with trimming. Simply brush your eyebrows straight up with the spiral brush and then trim any hairs that stick up with a pair of nail scissors. Click here for more tips on eyebrow shaping.
Do you need to wear a moisturiser if you're wearing foundation?
Moisturizing is a must before applying any make-up to your skin as it helps your foundation go on evenly and smoothly. You can use a light or heavy moisturiser, just make sure that you choose the right one for your skin type. If you are wearing planning on wearing eye make-up, don't apply moisturizer to your eyelids as it will cause your colour to crease and not last long. Applying moisturiser to your lips before applying lip colour will help it go on more smoothly.
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