[beach surf babe]

If you've discovered a fabulous tip for applying makeup, brilliant cosmetics etc don't keep it a secret! Tell us!!

Recently I've been using a cosmetics sponge to apply my mousse foundation and it looks so much better than applying with fingers or whatever. It gives good, even coverage-flawless almost. I bought Ruby and Millie sponges and they are brilliant-they feel nice and are good quality, probably better than buying cheaper ones. They aren't even that pricey...I think they cost £5 and you get three so that works out at about £1.67 each which its good value really...

[No Future]

*Always cleanse/tone and moisturize before applying foundation
*Foundation sponges work very well n.b. these should be cleaned in warm soapy water regularly
*YSL's new foundation is amazing

[Butterfly]

I love foundation brushes, my one's MAC and it's aceeeeeee

[gracie88]

Dunno if this counts but if you suffer from dark circles under your eyes, concealer is your friend! blend some in and say bye bye to those nasty panda eyes.

[.butterfly.x.]

Im sure most people know this but...
... you should either accentuate (sp?) your eyes or your mouth, never both.

[beach surf babe]

Yeah..same with clothes...show a bit of cleavage or show off your legs not both-otherwise it looks a touch tarty...

[Luize]

Originally Posted by gracie88

Dunno if this counts but if you suffer from dark circles under your eyes, concealer is your friend! blend some in and say bye bye to those nasty panda eyes.

Is there any specific concealer that works best for dark circles under the eyes?
There seems to be so many, it can be confusing.

[Apricot Fairy]

Originally Posted by Luize

Is there any specific concealer that works best for dark circles under the eyes?
There seems to be so many, it can be confusing.

YSL Touche Eclat, or, amazingly, haemorrhoid cream, apparently.

[beach surf babe]

I use Touche Magique from L'Oreal under my eyes and that seems to be quite effective

[gracie88]

I use l'orreal infalliable under my eyes (the concealer) though it is quite a thick feeling concealer. I did used to use the 17 ones but i lost mine worked just as well!

[Spig]

I hate to go against the grain, but I find using foundation sponges wastes foundation. You can also spread bacteria around your face. The heat from using your fingers aids blending. A lot of makeup artists don't bother with sponges.

My tips would probably be:

-Don't be a 'makeup snob.' If you looked inside the makeup bag of a top makeup artist, you would find a mixture of highstreet and upmarket brands.

-Invest in a great foundation if you wear it. It's the one product which is worth spending more on. I would recommend mineral foundation. Spend the least on mascara and lipglosses.

-With regards mascara, the shape of the brush is more important than the formulation.

-Don't wear waterproof mascara everyday. It holds a curl for longer,but it's not good for your eyelashes.

-Metal eyelash curlers are generally more effective than plastic ones. I found some great ones in Tescos.

-Wear a moisturiser with a high SPF.

- The cleanse/tone/moisturise adage really doesn't apply to everyone. I consider toner a superfluous product in general actually.

I could honestly go on forever. I am so obsessed with makeup.

In answer to a poster's question- the best undereye concealer is a liquid 'light-reflecting' one. Do not use stick concealer under the eyes!!! You will drag the delicate skin. You will still need a stick concealer, ( or a pencil concealer if you can hunt one down,) for spots because light-reflecting concealer actually makes blemishes look bigger.

The best undereye concealer is Yves Saint Laurent 'Touche Eclat.' It's super pricey, but worth it. If you can't afford it, I'd recommend the Boujoirs one. It's about 7 quid.

[Spig]

I would also like to add that I love, love,LOVE this thread. It's a great idea.

[ohsometro]

for fresh dewy skin ~ use a damp sponge for foundation w/a little highlighter mixed in is amazing *teardrop shaped sponges are the best

[nabiha87]

I think using a foundation brush to apply it has been a breakthrough for me. It goes on SO well using a brush

Another thing i've discovered is the ruby and millie eyeliner smudge brush to create smokey eyes, and quite often I spritz my face with water/evian can to set my make up

[joz12345]

any one got any tips on eyeshadows because i find mouse eyeshadow or metalic eyeshadow looks great on me and the powder ones arent as good only problem being is the mouse and metalic ones seem to come off quite quickly and you find yourself having to reapply.

[beach surf babe]

Originally Posted by Spig

I hate to go against the grain, but I find using foundation sponges wastes foundation. You can also spread bacteria around your face. The heat from using your fingers aids blending. A lot of makeup artists don't bother with sponges.

I think you are right..using a manky sponge can't be too good for your skin but if you wash it/replace it frequently then it should be ok. I much prefer using my fingers to blend foundation but the mousse foundations are kinda strange and a sponge seems to work better. Liquid foundations are better for blending with fingers.

[prettyblueeyes]

No.7 "Stay Perfect" eyeshadow base is fantastic to hold eyeshadow, but also to brighten eyes for an un-made up look.

BeneFit "High Beam" is fantastic - blend a little in with some foundation or tinted moisturiser if you don't want to wear lots of makeup and it gives great coverage for a very natural radiant look.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - expensive for what it looks like, but it's wonderful, actually does make my skin look radiant.

Eucerin products are miraculous for dry wintery skin - their cleansing milk and toner are fantastic and my skin is looking smooth and flawless in JANUARY (normally still trying to find a moisturiser that actually does moisturise)

BeneFit "Get Bent" mascara or YSL Faux Effet Cils - best mascaras on the market imo

If you play up your eyes, play down your lips. I like quite natural, nude lips, so dab a little concealer on them, dab/rub it in, and add a little bit of pinky or clear gloss and it makes my lips look really good.

Use 2 brushes to do your bronzer (I love BeneFit "Hoola" but Guerlain "Terracotta bronzing powder" in No.3 or "for blondes" is fantastic) - a big one to apply it, and then a smaller, firmer one (17 so a good miniature one) to blend it well and make sure it's even/no tide marks.

DO NOT pinch cheeks to create a blush effect - it breaks blood vessels and can lead to visible red veins

Stuck for an eyeshadow colour for night out? Some Barry M fine glitter dust in a silver colour is fab - so simple, goes with anything and everything and really makes your eyes stand out.

Having professional photos taken, or having a big night out, MAC Studiotech makeup is a God-send.

ALWAYS push your hair back with a headband when applying makeup - if it's down you a) get makeup (usually mascara) in your hair and b) always miss some of the area around your hairline giving a very obvious tide mark

If you're wearing high uncomfortable shoes, take 2 paracetamol 30-60 mins before you go out.. it helps!

[Spig]

Originally Posted by joz12345

any one got any tips on eyeshadows because i find mouse eyeshadow or metalic eyeshadow looks great on me and the powder ones arent as good only problem being is the mouse and metalic ones seem to come off quite quickly and you find yourself having to reapply.

I have this problem. Make sure your eyelids are as oil free as possible.
To do that, make sure any eyecream you use has totally dried before you apply your makeup. Then apply powder, (as in face powder) to the eyelids before you apply the mousse eyeshadow. You can buy 'eyeshadow primers' to help your makeup stay on longer, but they're pricy and I doubt they do that much.
Cream eyeshadows will always crease and come off quicker than powder ones though. That's just something that can't be helped.

[prettyblueeyes]

Oh, and if you're going to be out and don't want to have to re-apply your makeup several times throughout the evening, a very light spritz of hairspray works wonders! Spray a little in to the air and then let it fall on to your face. You cannot see or feel it (even under camera flashes etc) and you really wouldn't know you had it on, but it keeps your makeup perfect, and is no harder to take off at the end of the night.

[kaylewhale]

Here are some of the tips that I always stick too:

1) Applying a light line of White eyeshadow (carefully blended so it doesnt look to harsh) under your eyebrows really highlights your features.

2) A LIGHT brushing of blusher all over your whole eye lid and socket makes your eyes really stand out, as long as you dont apply it so heavily that it makes you look like a clown!

3) To disguise dark circles under your eyes apply RED lipstick and blend concealer over the top- Believe me it works! Got the tip off of a makeup artist i met on hols once!

4) A white liquid based eyelash primer does wonders for the look of long lashes.

5) Flawless skin is a must for a polished look, go to a beauty counter and take advantages of the free sessions where they help you find the best products for your type and shade of skin.

6) Applying face powder with a brush is more effective than a pad IMO.