Making Good Face: 6 Basic Steps For Presenting Your Best Self

I get a lot of clients getting asking me to teach them just the quick makeup basics. I am a huge believer in these 6 makeup steps in presenting oneself to the world a little more polished but still natural. I know that if most women can find a way to give themselves 10 minutes to carry out these steps they will feel more fresh, awake, lovely, and ready to tackle whatever is in store for them that day.

STEP 1 - MAC Prep and Prime Highlighter 

This product is applied under your eyes all the way from the inner corner out to just beyond your eye. Blend it in using your finger to stipple (tapping gently up and down), do not rub. I pretty much exclusively use this product as I find it amazing how efficiently it removes the grey discoloration from under my eyes without being heavy or cakey. It also adds a little radiance which helps you look bright eyed and awake. MAC sells this product in 4 colours for all skin tonnes. 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/10953/15746/Products/Skincare/Primers/Prep-Prime-Highlighter/index.tmpl

STEP 2 - Paint Pot

This is a creamy colour base that you can blend on to your eyelid to provide coverage and colour. I love this product as it covers any discoloration you may have on your eyelids. It applies in a flash and works well on all skin types. Using your finger take a small amount of the product and blend it from the inner corner of your eye to the outer edge and all over the eye lid up to the crease. My favourites are Painterly and Nubile from MAC. 

STEP 3 - Tinted Moisturiser or BB Cream.

To even out your skin and look better why not take a step that actually benefits your skin? For these products I do like the MAC Tinted Moisturizer and the Garnier BB Cream. If applied correctly, and sparingly, both will make you feel like you are wearing nothing at all but still do the job of balancing out your un-even, winter affected faces. Make sure when purchasing you pick a colour that best matches your face and neck. Blend gently all over using a buffing brush or your fingers. Don't forget to blend down your jaw and neck.  

http://www.garnier.ca/en-ca/face-care/beauty/garnier/skin-renew-bb-cream-/bb-cream-miracle-skin-perfector

STEP 4 - MASCARA 
Why leave home without it? Take the 2-5 minutes it will take, it's so worth it!
To say there are many kinds of mascara out there is an understatement, and it really is a personal choice of what kind of brush type you may prefer and how natural you want it to look, but L'Oreal Voluminous 24HR Mascara is my personal favorite. Long wearing, easy to remove, great volume. 

STEP 5 - BRONZER 
This is an important step especially in the winter. Using bronzer can help your face look warmer, make you look like you just got back from a day at the beach, and can even make your face look slimmer and more defined. Apply your bronzer in circular motions starting from just under your cheekbone and blending upward on to your cheek, and toward toward your temple. You can also dust it along the edge of your hairline and  forehead blending in to your temples. I tell my clients to dust the bronzer all over your face where the sun usually hits it. This makes it look sunkissed and natural. 

I prefer a matte Bronzer for a more natural look and currently my favorite is Makeup Forever Matte Bronzer in 20 Honey. Gorgeous! 

STEP 6 - BLUSH  
A gentle dusting of blush with a blush brush on to the apple of the cheeks is a miracle worker for uplifting any face and creating a more fresh, healthy glow. I lean heavily on pinks, and peaches for most skin tonnes, or a mix of the two. The key is to stay away from very bright colours  in order to achieve a natural "glow". An application tip: give yourself a cheesy smile and apply it to the apple of your cheeks while blending upward towards your temples. Start small and build it, it is easy to add more than to take it away. 

Personal favorites: MAC Peaches, NARS Orgasm

If anyone has any questions about anything above please do not hesitate to contact me at ecdmakeup@gmail.com, or go to my website at www.ecdmakeup.com . All of the products listed above are available in colours to suit every woman's skin tone. Get glowing!

Author: Meaghan Bell Gregory