16 Make-Up Myths Debunked
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Is primer really important?
Yes and no. Any good moisturiser will do the trick and create the perfect canvas for your make-up, but if you’re after a longer-lasting finish it’s worth using a primer. The secret to finding a great primer is knowing your skin type – for example, if you have dry skin, try to use a light-reflective primer that’ll give an instant dose of radiance; I couldn’t be without Studio 10’s Youth Lift Glow-Plexion.
What about eye primer?
If you like to wear a smoky eye in the evening then an eye primer can give your shadow some staying power, but it’s not a must-have in my kit. However, if you do suffer from particularly oily eyelids or find your they have a reddish tinge, a primer is a great idea to even out the skin tone.
Should you blend foundation onto your neck?
Not necessarily. If your neck is much lighter than your face, you should consider taking your foundation just under the jawline and blend onto the neck for a more natural result. However, it’s far more important to choose the exact shade of foundation to match your skin tone – no lighter or darker. I couldn’t be without Shiseido’s Synchro Glow Foundation, it uses light-adapting technology to blend seamlessly with your skin tone and helps to boost hydration.
Do I really need a foundation brush?
Whether you prefer a brush or sponge is personal preference, but as long as you’re blending your foundation that’s the most important thing. I use both a brush and sponge when applying a base – a small brush is good for blending around areas such as the inner eye and nose and a larger brush is perfect for the rest of the face, while a sponge is good for the neck. When it comes to the best brushes, I really rate Charlotte Tilbury’s collection.
Should your under-eye concealer match your foundation?
It should be a tiny bit lighter to help boost brightness, but not too light as the difference shouldn’t be noticeable once blended. When looking for an under-eye concealer the texture should be fine and light-reflecting – for the best application, try blending into a triangle shape under the eye to the centre of the cheek for a natural lightening effect. By Terry’s Touche Veloute is a personal favourite – it blurs imperfections without masking the skin’s natural tone.
Is there such a thing as too much highlighter?
Yes, this is absolutely a thing. Heavy highlighter during the day isn’t a good look, so confine it to the evening only and apply in light touches along the cheekbones, cupid’s bow and under the brows. Remember, a little goes a long way, and the blinding highlights favoured by certain Instagram beauty gurus don’t always look as good in real life.
Is make-up really that bad for your pores?
No, this is a myth. If you’re prone to blemishes, just make sure you’re looking for a foundation that’s non-comodegenic and oil-free, meaning it won’t block your pores. And if you do have large pores that you want to cover up, use a pore-smoothing primer – they really do work wonders.
When it comes to contouring, do the same rules apply for everyone?
No. When it comes to contouring you should work with your face shape and learn how to flatter your own features. Take the time to study your face shape and contour the areas you want to slim. For example, a wide nose can take on a slimmer appearance with contouring applied down the sides, and cheekbones can also be given a lifted and enhanced appearance with subtle contouring.
Waterproof mascara or normal mascara?
It depends on the occasion. Normal mascara is fine for everyday wear but if you want it to go the distance, such as at a wedding, or if you suffer from watery eyes (common in the summer with hay fever) it’s always a good idea to go waterproof – I rate Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara.
Are make-up wipes bad for your skin?
I don’t believe they are bad on the odd occasion – such as at festivals or while travelling – but I wouldn’t use them every day. Good skin requires a good skincare regime – always double cleanse at night and lightly cleanse in the morning to keep skin at its glowing best.
Is face powder dated?
It really depends on your preference. New powder formulas are super lightweight and, when applied to certain areas of the face, can be very effective – for example, I like to set make-up by applying a light finishing powder to the centre section of the face. However, if you suffer from dry skin, creamier formulas can be easier to blend and are better in the summer too.
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Should you adhere to your product’s expiry dates?
Every product has a guide as to how long to use it once opened – you should stick to this, especially when it comes to skincare. Some potent formulas can become less effective over time so try to adhere to expiry dates if you want your products to carry on doing what they promise and to get your money’s worth.
How often do you really need to clean your make-up brushes?
Brushes should be cleaned as often as possible. Try to clean your foundation brush every week or so and your blusher and eyeshadow brush around once a month. If you find cleaning your brushes a hassle, try using Beauty So Clean Sanitizer – simply spray directly onto your brushes and you’re good to go. Try using it on your foundation and concealer brushes every time you use them to avoid a build-up of bacteria and clogging of product.
How can you cover up a spot without it looking obvious?
Use a tiny brush and a thicker consistency concealer in the exact shade as your base – don’t go lighter, otherwise it will emphasise the spot.
What’s the best way to cover dark circles?
If your under-eye circles tend to have a blue undertone, opt for a concealer with a slightly peachy, warmer tone; use less to begin with, applying concealer to the inner eye, taking the product down to the centre of the cheeks and then up to the outer eye in a triangle shape before blending with a brush.
Any tricks for a flattering bronzer application?
Avoid shades that are too dark for your skin tone otherwise it can look dated. The secret is to apply bronzer in light layers – less is definitely more when it comes to bronzer. You can’t go wrong with Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzer.
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