Polished to perfection

Each season’s hair and makeup trends come and go (on a merry-go-round, no less), but the basic makeup rules still apply. Many skimp on the most fundamental part (the base), preferring to concentrate on one feature (say, the eyes). And at the end of a rather stressful day, needless to say, you end up looking the part.

What each and every woman needs are just the basics: concealer, powder, beige eyeshadow, mascara, blush and lipstick — done. Read our five basic makeup rules (also preached by makeup geniuses Bobbi Brown and Pat McGrath) to look instantly polished.

Step 1. Apply concealer on the eye area to cover dark circles, as well as give the illusion of a well-rested look. Use the tip of your ring finger and tap (never rub) concealer to blend into the skin. Set with powder.

Tips: You will need two shades of concealer, a lighter one for the eye area, and another one for the rest of the face in your exact skin tone to cover blemishes and spots.

To create longevity of your base, and to make sure it doesn’t end up too cakey, spritz water on the face, blot, then apply concealer.

Step 2. Brush brows back to set them in place. Then, using an eyebrow brush, apply a taupe or light brown shade in sparse areas of the brows. Brush them again lightly to blend. Set with clear mascara.

Tips: Never use dark brown or worse, black, eye shadow or eyebrow powder — it is too harsh, which can age you in seconds.  

Eyebrow pencils are fine, but powder looks more natural.

Step 3. Eyeshadow is optional, but if you must, stick to a matte beige to open up the eyes. What is imperative, though, is mascara. Curl lashes and apply mascara (black or brown, choose your poison) from the base all the way to the tip. Wait for a few seconds to apply your second coat. Or your third.

Tip: Some makeup artists utilize the tip of the mascara wand, instead of using the entire bristle for optimum eye-opening effects.

If you want long and full lashes, so try this trick: start off with a few coats of lengthening mascara, then follow it up with a volumizing one.

Step 4. To avoid looking like a corpse, blush is an absolute must. With a huge fluffy brush, smile and apply blush, extending your brush in an outward and upward manner towards the hairline.

Tip: Shades of pink and peach are universally flattering for Filipinas.

Never use the brush that comes inside the blush compact. It will create horrendous streaks that will bring you back straight to the ‘80s. A huge fluffy brush will distribute color evenly.

Step 5. Apply beige lipstick with pink undertone to lips. If you want to look polished, line lips beforehand with a nude liner.

Tips: To avoid a severe line, soften the tip of your lip liner pencil in between your fingers.

Apply lip balm to the lips if using matte lipstick to keep lips from drying.