Eyeliner is used to outline and define the eyes. It can help create a soft, smudgy look or a bold, dramatic look and it can change the allusion of eye shape.
4 Types of Eyeliner
Pencil
Pencil eyeliners are fast and less expensive so they are great for everyday. The point does have to be sharpened frequently, but pencils create a softer look. To apply, draw little sections at a time and fill in the line. Rather than applying one long stroke, go back and forth to define the line.
Liquid
Liquid eyeliners have high pigmentation and can create a super precise line. Liquid is great for creating the trendy winged/cat’s eye liner look, but it takes a super steady hand and practice. To apply, steady your hand the best you can by resting your elbow against a solid surface or resting your hand against your chin as you draw the line. Starting at the inner corner or midway, drag the brush along your lash line in short strokes, continuing along and going back over the line as needed.
Kohl
Kohl eyeliners are thicker, softer pencil eyeliners and often come with a rubber tip to smudge and soften even more. To create thick, dark lines for that smudgy or smoky look, apply the kohl eyeliner along the lash lines. The great thing is you don’t have to be super precise because the eyeliner will be softened out Next, blend the color out with the blending tool, or even a qtip. I’ve even used my fingers to soften and smudge kohl eyeliner.
Gel
Gel eyeliner usually comes in a little paint pot and is applied with a separate brush. The beauty of gel is that you can really control application, it is soft and often a more waterproof formula. The brush can give you very precise control on application.
4 Tips for Eyeliner
Dried product
Liquid and gel eyeliners, and mascaras, that have dried out can easily be revived by adding a drop or two of eyedrops and mixing well.
Lower line
So many MUAs say not to make the bottom lash line too dark with eyeliner. Personally, I think a dark lower line can be used to make certain looks work. The concern is that eyeliner on the bottom lid smudges more easily, so avoid touching your face or eyes!
Uneven line
Liner sometimes ends up all crooked and uneven, or on the brow, or nose, or… yeah, it can be hard to control. Don’t pull your eyelid to make skin taut, as that actually makes the line askew. Draw from the outside in, so inner to middle and then outer to middle. Use short strokes that combine to make one smooth even line. Finally, rest your elbow and/or your hand against something to steady your hand as you apply the liner.
Prime
Eye primer used to help eyeshadow stick will also help eyeliner stick. Primer can also be a good color tool, so if you are shooting for bold contrast, the primer should help develop that contrast as well.
Applying makeup is an art, and pros that have the skills are called makeup artists. For a reason. Seriously, even makeup colors are called palettes! And, like artists, we need to invest in the right tools, including brushes! Fingers are great for some applications, but you just can't get the precision and perfection unless you use professional makeup brushes. But, argh! What do all of these brushes DO? What goes where, how?
I live with a professional artist. Art is creativity, it's skill, and it's mastery of tools, materials and techniques. When we apply makeup, our face is the canvas. Using the right brushes can make all the difference. With all the colors we buy, making an investment in the brushes is key to a great makeup experience. (At the end of this blog, you will find bonus tips: how to properly care for your makeup brushes).
Let's go to it, artists! What brushes do you need to complete your professional makeup look?
FOUNDATION
Flat foundation brushes allow you to apply liquid foundation with good, even coverage for a smooth finish. To use a flat foundation brush: place a dollop of liquid foundation on your hand. Load foundation onto the brush by dipping one side into the foundation "paint". Begin applying foundation to your face, working in sections: the forehead, each cheek, the nose, and the chin.
Once you have foundation on all areas of the face, use the foundation brush to blend it in, using a back and forth motion. This brush is really meant to lay down the foundation, then you can finish up the blend with a beauty blender.
CONCEALER
Concealer brushes are flat with a tapered point to accurately apply concealer underneath the eye or to cover specific areas. Concealer can primarily be used to blend out dark under eye circles, discoloration, or to hide blemishes. Consider your concealer color. To neutralize specific issues, use a complementary color: use green concealer to cover red areas or an angry blemish, use yellow on purple hued under eye circles, use pink for ruddy skin tone. For under the eyes, use a concealer that is lighter than your natural skin tone, load the concealer brush and start applying from the inside corner of the eye, and work out. For blemishes, use a darker concealer as a lighter color with highlight your pimple, and use the brush to fade out.
Did you know? Using your fingers to apply concealer can cause unwanted creasing. Also, talking about that crease... blend out the concealer with a damp blender. If you set with powder and there are creases, you'll be stuck with those creases. Make sure you are crease free when you powder set!
POWDER
Powder brushes are great for applying setting powder all over the face. Pick up loose or pressed powder with the flat surface of the powder brush and softly brush all over the face to set liquid foundation and concealers.
BRONZER
A bronzer brush can be used for contouring, applying bronzer and highlighting. Every beauty guru I know contours and highlights for their perfected looks, and this brush will get you there!
To contour and help slim your face, apply a shade of foundation slightly darker than your natural skin tone. Using the bronzer brush, sweep back and forth under the cheekbone from ear to cheeks, draw blended circles around the temples, and brush along the hairline.
To bronze for a glowy sunkissed look, use a powder bronzer with the bronzer brush along the cheek bones and the forehead.
To highlight and get the shimmery look, sweep illuminator with the bronzer brush just above the cheekbones and down your nose, cupid's bow and chin.
BLUSH
The blush brush is for coloring your apples. If that doesn't sound like fun, I'm not sure what does! Pick up your favorite blush color with the blush brush (Oh, I love that this rhymes), smile big enough to show your teethies, then sweep blush across your cheek from ear to apples. Apply just enough to start to see color on your skin but not so much that you start to see visible application lines. If you do apply too much, use your bronzer brush to soften it down. I like to use the blush brush for highlighting above the blush line, as the angle of the brush is great for sweeping across the cheek.
KABUKI
This adorable, short, soft kabuki brush is for blending. After applying your layers of foundation, powder, contouring, blush and highlights, swirl the kabuki brush in circles all over the face to blend and help all of that makeup application look natural and softened.
EYESHADOW
This brush is best used to apply soft, all over powder eyeshadow to the eye, including the light base color for under the brow.
It's softness also is great for blending eyeshadows after application in order to soften and spread.
CREAM EYESHADOW
The cream eyeshadow brush can be used to apply cream eyeshadow, yes, but it can also be used for powder eyeshadow colors. I love cream eyeshadows because I feel like the pigment is strong and it lasts.
This brush can be used to pack on powder eyeshadow colors, too. Load up both sides of the flat brush with color, tap off excess powder, and press the color onto the eyelid.
CREASE
The crease. So, the little part of your eye lid above your eyeball, before your brow begins to raise up... that indentation is the crease. And applying color to that bit is a pain. Push eyeshadow into the brow crease and blend back and forth along that line.
EYELINER
Eyeliners can usually be applied using the pencil or the brush tip that comes with the product. However, you can use an eyeliner brush if you mix your own eyeliner for a precise line, or use eyeshadow for a smudgy look. Angled eyeliner brushes can be used with gel eyeliner to draw sharp lines.
If you are looking for super precise lines like those required for the popular winged look, you will need a very precise eyeliner brush!
BROW
Brow brushes usually only have the comb part and the brush part. This delightful brow brush has a spoolie on the end so you can tame your eyelashes before working your mascara in!
To expertly style your brows, comb the outer portion down, define the brow arch with a brow pencil, then brush all of your brow up and out toward your ear.
LIP
The lip brush can be used to apply lipliner, lipstick, lip gloss, or any lip color. Try using line - fill - line. Define the edges of your lips with the lip brush dipped in the lip gloss or loaded from the lipstick bullet. Use the precision edge of the lip brush to line the lips. Then, use the flat surface to fill in color on the plump parts of your lips. Finish up the lip color application by refining the lip edges one last time.
BONUS: Brush Care
Always store your brushes with the handle down/bristles up. Or store them flat. Putting the weight of the brush on the bristles will ruin them.
Makeup brushes can pretty gunked up with product, and not only does it affect the way your product is applied, but brushes that haven't been cleaned can hold and transfer bacteria. This technique is exactly how I clean my art brushes, too!
What you will need to clean your brushes: dirty brushes, baby shampoo, warm tap water, two washcloths or hand towels.
Squeeze a dollop of baby shampoo into the palm of your hand. Run the brush bristles under warm running water to get it wet, and then start swirling the brush bristles around in your hand. Make sure the baby shampoo totally coats the brush. You should see bubbles. (Yay, bubbles!)
Run the brush bristles under warm running water while continuing to swirl the brush around in your palm. Continue to swirl until there is no more product or soap in the brush.
Using one of the towels, squeeze the excess water out of the brush. Don't ruffle the brush, just wrap the towel around it and gently squeeze the brush to absorb excess water. (I also like to fling excess water off the brush by holding it and whipping it toward the sink... it's a skill... a messy skill.)
Depending on the type of brush, you can gently straighten the bristles. Start at the ferrule (that's the part where the bristles meet the handle - it's usually metal.) and gently pull the bristles from the ferrule to the ends of the bristles to smooth them and reshape the brush.
Lay the other towel down flat on the edge of a surface, and lay your brush down on it with the brush bristles hanging over the edge. Allow the brush to dry completely before using it, or your brush will get all gunked up because it is still wet. Do not dry your brushes the same way you store them because the water will drip down into the ferrule and create bacteria issues. You can dry them "hanging up" with the bristles DOWN if you have a purchased or McGyvered brush drying device available.
Bring out your inner artist, and make your makeup a masterpiece.
Skincare shouldn't be complicated for anyone. Cleanse, Moisturize, Treat... right? Men face (heh.. face) some unique challenges when caring for their facial skin. Namely, HAIR!
Facial hair requires shaving, or maintenance. Shaving can cause irritation, dry skin, and other annoyances. Anew men will help avoid those annoyances!
Shave
Shave gel with aloe and vitamin e keeps shaving smooth. After shave with aloe helps the shave feel great.
Cleanse
2 in 1 gel cleanser keeps the oils and dirt away.
Moisturize
Lotion with SPF 50 focuses on the number one factor for aging skin in men: SUN! UVA causes damage to the skin, and this lotion with SPF and antioxidants is a true fighter. For dry skin, men can choose the moisturizing cream.
Treat
Even men's eyes need some TLC sometimes. This will help dark circles, crow's feet or other skin concerns that make you look a little older than you need to.
My eyes are definitely my most favorite facial feature. I love wearing my eye makeup everyday! This is an easy way to make your eyes pop, but still look natural and not overly makeup-y.
For the eyeshadow, I use my finger to drag color from the inside corner of my eyelid to the outside. Sometimes, I use several layers to make the color really stand out. I use an eyeshadow brush loaded with color to make a more accurate line just above my top eyelashes. Unless I rub my eyes, this color lasts all day! True Color Quad Eyeshadow in Purple Haze
I have always had dark circles under my eyes, even when I was very young. I think it is genetics. Lack of sleep, age, allergies, alcohol, or too much salt can also contribute to those heavy bags under your eyes.
So I wear concealer under my eyes every single day. On days I have not worn makeup *out in public* people have actually asked me if I was sick, or if I got enough sleep. My under eye bags are that bad. I've moved past the embarrassment and onto concealer.
A little note about color theory. I use yellow concealer because my dark circles have an underlying purple tone. I also have a green concealer in my arsenal to cover very red flaws. But I have yet to try the red lipstick trick to counter blue undertone issues.
Choose a concealer that is lighter than your skin tone. The lighter color will disguise the darkness and brighten the eye area. I've practiced this one over many years, and now many people say my best feature is my eyes!
I have tried a variety of concealers, including many of the more expensive brands at Ulta, the drugstore brands, and for a long time I used Physician's Formula. Unfortunately, it was only available in one yellow tone.
I use AVON's Extra Lasting Concealer, and it is available in 6 shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Deep, Deep, Chestnut, and Ebony.
I probably apply more than I should, but I seem to need the coverage. So I dot a bunch on, blend it in and around my eyes with my fingertips.
For what it's worth, tea bags, cucumbers, cold spoons, whatever other home remedies people come up... yeah, that never has worked for me. My dark circles are here to stay. At least I can cover it up! Sort of.
