Base Basics

I decided that the best place to start was with the basics.  The first thing most people apply, before any kind of eye-shadow, lip color, etc., is some kind of foundation.

Problems with Foundation

Unless you are going to be in some sort of professional print or film work, you really don't need a heavy base.  Whenever I see a girl with what is commonly called "cake face,"  I can't help but cringe.  If you're not on a set, you should probably just focus on looking like a normal human being.  That mask of foundation is not fooling anyone.

I don't believe in using foundation on a daily basis.  Instead, you can use the following tricks with contouring to highlight your features in a very light way that looks natural.

How to Apply a Base

Products I used:

• Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick, in Yellow
• Physician's Formula Powder Palette, in Beige
• Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette
• A double-ended foundation and concealer brush (you can get these as two seperate brushes, as well)
• A mini kabuki brush (the normal size is too big for contouring)

I tend to use drugstore-brand products that are comparable to high end makeup, but I'll spend the extra on good quality products that are worth the price.  As a splurge, I would highly recommend UD Flushed to anyone that wants an easy bronzer/blush/highlighter combo.

If you're anything like me, as a full-time student who works over 40 hours a week, and has several responsibilities, you probably have those dark circles under your eyes that scream, "I haven't slept in years!"

1.  First thing's first: use your concealer stick to lightly dab concealer in a downward pointing triangle shape directly under your eye.  Blend in using either the concealer brush or with your finger.

2.  Next, use the foundation brush to lightly cover the concealer with a bit of powder.
Note: On some skin tones, you don't have to use a powder to "set" the concealer.  With mine, the yellow concealer blends better with a beige or translucent powder.

Now you're ready to contour!

3.  Next, use the bronzer of the Flushed palette to shadow under your cheekbones, using the mini kabuki brush.  An easy way to find your face's natural contour is by making the dreadful "duck face."  

Then, apply the bronzer lightly to your temples, and on either side of your nose.

Note: If you don't have the Flushed palette, you may use a bronzer of your choice.  Just make sure it is only a shade or two darker than your skin tone, so that it looks natural.

4.  Next, apply blush to your cheekbones, using the mini kabuki or a blush brush.  Start from the apple of your cheek and brush back towards your temple, as shown below.  You can also do a quick swipe across the middle of your nose, forehead, and chin.

Besides the Flushed palette, I'm also a big fan of the blushes in Maybelline's "Fit Me" line.  They are well-priced and easy to match to your skin tone.

5.  Last step to your base look is applying a highlighter.  You can apply the highlighter with your finger, in the areas I've highlighted below:

There you have it!  The idea is to highlight your features without covering them.  Here's a before/after photo without any added mascara, lip color, etc.  It just goes to show what a little contouring can do for your early-morning-sleepy-zombie face!

As you can see, my "before" picture is right out of the shower, and in the "after" shot, my hair is still wet.  That's how quick and easy it is to apply a base.  

Just another beautiful day, xoxo

Sinehan