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Perfect 5 Minute Makeup
In January I announced a new beauty series we’re starting called 10 Easy + Affordable Beauty Tips, all taught by our resident hair and makeup stylist to the stars, Christie Somers, and fabulous photographer Alisia Packard (you can read more about them in my about page here).
Our first lesson last month was all about Creating the Perfect Curl, and today Christie’s going to give us the ins and outs of a perfect 5 minute makeup routine (since that’s usually all the time we have to spend on our face in the morning). You’ll also see her recommended products and a few tips she’s learned doing makeup for over a decade. Here are Christie’s instructions paired with Alisia’s images (and this time Christie is modeling herself, isn’t she gorgeous?!?):
Written and modeled by Christie Somers, Photographed by Alisia Packard
Since we are all busy ladies, we thought it would be nice to give you a guide to 5 min makeup for the everyday woman. In my job, I get the benefit of talking to women all day long and it seems many people misunderstand the point of wearing make-up. The point isn’t to wear make-up just to wear make-up. It’s meant to enhance our best features and distract from our less favorite ones. For example, the point of eyeliner is to open up and draw attention to ones eyes. But many women put a thick black line straight across their eye without taking into consideration how applying it achieves the desired effect. While there is definitely a place for having fun with your make-up (smokey eyes, red lips–and don’t worry we will get to those!), you want to keep your every day look pretty natural and simple. We want to look like a slightly better version of ourselves, not entirely different people.
My must have items for every day make up are…1. Foundation. The foundation I love is called Tarte. It’s great for all skin types and climates. It’s important not to scrimp on foundation. In my experience, cheap foundations sit on your skin and look cakey. Tarte is made out of Amazon clay and you will not break out even if you have acne prone skin.2. Blush/Bronzer. I like many different brands. Bobbi Brown and MAC are amongst my favorites. STAY AWAY FROM SHIMMER AND GLITTER unless you’re 16 or a cheerleader.3. Mascara. I love Bobbi Brown everything mascara. The tube lasts six months and the mascara doesn’t get under your eyes by the end of the day so I am happy to pay a little extra for it.4. Lip stick/crayons/gloss. Options are limitless. I love the lip crayons found at Sally’s Beauty Supply . They stay on forever and are only $1.50 right now! Champagne bronze and Coral shimmer are two of my favorite colors. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Bobbi Brown lip crayons are also great!If you’re older than a teeny bopper, stay away from uber gloss.Let’s see how it’s done:Step 1:Squeeze a pea size worth of make-up onto your hand. You can either use your finger or a foundation brush to apply. I like to use a foundation brush because you get a more natural finish. Avoid sponges because they will soak up a lot of your product. And you will be buying foundation twice as often.I first apply foundation to my problem areas (since there is more product on the brush in the beginning) and then I work my way out.
Spread evenly all over your face. Don’t forget under your eyes. Don’t forget to blend it under your chin and up into your hair line so you don’t have obvious lines. On that note, when buying foundation the best thing to do is apply a little on your cheek and choose the color that dissolves into your skin the best.
Step 2: Next, blush. When applying blush, imagine drawing a 3 on your face. Starting with your cheekbone (where you want most of the color to be concentrated). Next your jaw line.
And finally a dab on your forehead. The idea is to apply it where the sun would hit. You can do this with either blush or bronzer depending your skin tone and the time of year. In the winter I use blush and in the summer I use bronzer. Blush and bronzer are meant to be used for contouring and adding a touch of color to keep it your face from looking matte.Next you want to add a little rosiness to the ball of your cheek. Choose a baby pink blush.
The best way to know where to place this is by smiling and applying right to the ball of your cheek. This may seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference.
Step 3: The next step is mascara. When looking for a good mascara, make sure you find one that won’t run by the end of the day. In my experience, any Bobbi Brown does well. I like to apply my mascara to the top and bottom eyelashes. I apply underneath the lashes first and then over top. That will help create length and thickness in your eyelashes.
Step 4: And finally, your lips. Before I put on any of my make-up I put on lip balm. There are two that I like. LaMere (which isn’t cheap but lasts a long time) and Jack Black (which has SPF 25 and won’t break the bank). Applying it before you start your make-up gives it time to settle in and absorb so your lip color doesn’t wipe right off.
Then apply whatever you’re feeling that day. Lip crayons are my every day go to, given their longevity. Lip color is a fun way to mix up every day make-up. So get creative!
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About Me
Hi there! I'm Liz Stanley. Born and raised a New Yorker, plus a few newlywed years in charming Hoboken, I now live in the fairytale city of San Francisco with my husband and son. This blog is a collection of simple ideas for making your home and life more crafty and stylish. MORE >>>
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I love this tutorial! I’ve been heeding your advice and I feel like I look so much fresher and rosier. I was scared of bronzer, but I bought one that offers lighter shades. Those Sally’s crayons are great andso cheap. I just bought six colors for $10 on sale.
I loved this tutorial! Thank you sooo much for the helpful information. I have a question though, do you think it is necessary to use powder over the foundation? I am going to try the Tarte foundation and lip crayons. Keep up the good work!
What a great tutorial! The only thing I didn’t get was how to apply blush in the shape of 3? Why would one apply blusher to the jawbone? I can’t see that the model have it? And am I supposed to have the “v-shape” in the 3 between the line on my cheekbones and jawline? Sorry about the bad english…
Great look! I love lip crayons, and have been meaning to try the tarte foundation.
Love these tips. I currently use Tarte’s amazonian clay blush, which I love. Excited to try their foundation. I just threw out my foundation sponge and ordered a foundation brush. Please keep posts like this coming!
Thank you so much for this! This is just what I needed!
Wow! Christine is gorgeous! Those brows! You need nothing. Bravo for you!
I do love all of your tips. I am a stay at home mom and need an update. I basically use the same steps, just need to update my products. No liner?
Pretty! I need to spend a little more time on makeup. The most I use is a little mascara and blush
Jessica,
Mascara and blush is all I used to wear so don’t feel bad! Then I got older and have age spots and all that jazz. I say ditch the foundation until you absolutely need it. Go try some on and get a sample at sephora and see how you like wearing it vs not. I always love fresh new lips so I’d highly recommend grabbing a few lip colors.
Love this information. Where would you send someone that has never really worn makeup? I want a professional to help me, not clown me up or over sell me. I’m in my mid thirties.
Sherry,
My advise would be to hit a bobby brown counter at Nordstrom or whatever department store is close to you. Bobbi brown as a brand is more on the natural side of things. Pick a makeup person who looks similar (in terms of amount of makeup) to how you would like to look. Explain about your lifestyle and not wearing much makeup. A makeup artist that is worth thier salt will be able to give you some make up that fits into your personal style and works for your lifestyle. Unfortunately, these things are hit and miss….. I would love to help you if you’re ever in NYC or Utah:)
I’m really interested in the Tarte foundation, but I’m worried about what shade to choose. Is there a store that sells Tarte, or is it just online? I can’t seem to find that on their website.
I know I’ve seen them carried at Ulta stores and maybe even Sephora?
Jeanette,
I get Tarte at Sephora. They are great to let you test the colors and will even send you home with a sample or two to make sure you have the right shade as sometimes it’s hard to tell in the store
i think they meant it more in terms of what’s flattering–and in most cases, glitter and shimmer is not flattering on all people, of all ages. this post reads as a basic, universal “how to apply make-up 101″
would you mind posting the colors of the products you used? also, you mention in the summer you use bronzer, and in the winter you use blush, but here you used both….can you clarify? great tip on sally beauty, i’ll have to go scope their lip pencils!
Julia,
The tarte foundation I used in this shot was medium in the winter when I’m not as tan, I use medium light. The blush I used was Mac warm soul (for the 3 shape). In the summer (for the 3 shape) I use a bronzer because I’m typically a little more tan in the summer so the blush won’t show up enough against my darker skin. On the ball of me cheek I use (in both the summer and winter) Bobbi brown peony. The lip crayon I used is the Sally’s champaign bronze.
I think these are great tips overall but unfortunate that you tell people to stay away from shimmery bronzers and glossy lips. How boring.
Jen,
The reason I recommend staying away from ultra shimmer and gloss is because if you’re older than 20, they age you big time. Shimmer especially sits on top of your wrinkles and makes them more noticeable and not less. I don’t know of any women who like to highlight thier wrinkles. Shimmer can and should be used for highlighting purposes but given the 5 min everyday makeup, I didn’t get into when and where to use them. Everyday makeup is not exciting, it’s meant to be natural and beautiful.