Shopping Guide: Makeup

The last time I posted it was about the the history of makeup....Welcome back to the future ;).

This time I wanna share tips for the various age groups. I've compiled some makeup tips that I hope will suit your needs.

Whether your 18 or 80, there is surely a product created out there to enhance your natural beauty. Choosing the correct makeup, can make a big difference in how long you spend in front of the mirror and how well your look turns out. These makeup tips will keep you looking and feeling your best.

Teens and 20's

18-25 is all about fun fun fun fun! this is the age where you are allowed to be trend-conscious and brand-aware more than ever. Its also the time to experiment with makeup and play with hip, fresh lines of products. Look for makeup formulated with good-for-you ingredients, the perfect choice for young women who want to play with fun and colourful shades, while still looking young, natural, and fresh. And always keep in mind that there is no need to overdo it; if you enhance just ONE of your best facial features, you are good to go.

• Face

Always look for oil free products. A heavy moisturizer or foundation will only wreak havoc on your skin and cause break-outs.

Don’t get too crazy about foundations, unless you are self-conscious about imperfections or hyper pigmentation. There is really no need for heavy foundation only if it is a special occasion (which I doubt for the teens mommy/daddy will allow you wearing too much…sowy). Try something sheer, like a tinted moisturizer, this will give you some coverage without making you look too made-up. .

For concealing blemishes, scars red/dark spots, you will want to find a good concealer that is slightly lighter than your natural skin tone.

• Cheeks

Blush is not a total necessity, and keep in mind that it can sometimes destroy what would otherwise be a beautiful look. To avoid looking too much like a clown, avoid cream blushes and stick to light weight powders. Tinted bronzers, add colour without covering up your natural glow. To achieve that sun kissed look; be sure to apply it where the sun would add its ‘kiss’ – cheeks forehead, nose, and chin. You may also use a blush that is fresh and has a light shimmery effect.

• Eyes

Neutral Tones are always best during the day. Pencil eyeliners are much more appropriate than a liquid or gel, as they can look over-dramatic. Save the shocking colours and dramatic looks for a special occasion.

When heading out at night, look for shadows with a bit of shimmer to make your eyes pop, or a cream for a more dramatic effect. You can even play with false eyelashes (btw they make FUN accessories or if you have very long lashes,  pile on tons of mascara) or liquid eyeliner to really shake things up.

Know that black-brown mascaras and eyeliners will flatter most faces. A deep black is usually too harsh, especially on blondes and fair skin.

• Lips

For the just bitten luscious look, lip gloss ALWAYS does the trick. If you want to add a bit of colour, look for lipsticks in a sheer hue or just simply look for tinted gloss.

You will want to always have lip balm or chapstick handy to keep lips from getting too dry.

For the lovers of red lipstick, keep it sheer and matted or if you prefer glossy that works too. If this is the route you go, be sure to keep the rest of your makeup to a bare minimum so that your lips really stand out!

30's

As women become more mature, facial features begin to change. In your 30s, you will want to take steps to prevent future problems from occurring (fine lines and wrinkles), and work to enhance your most prominent features for a more sophisticated look.

• Face

Combat those fine lines with HYDRATING liquid foundations or a whipped mouse foundation sheer to medium coverage. Products with light reflectors, also work especially well for blurring out any creases.
If you are privileged enough to still have radiant skin and gravity has NOT yet sucked the collagen out of your skin, skip out on foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. Be sure to wear products with sun proof factor (SPF), as we all know how quickly the sun can bring on the wrinkles.
For imperfections, apply that concealer; however, stick to your skin tone. Using a lighter tone may only make the coverage more obvious.
People start developing crow's feet around the eyes in their 30s.
While counting the calendar to see when your age WILL eventually fall off, please note that skin pigmentation starts to diminish as we age, sometimes leaving your face looking washed out. You will absolutely want to try some blush to help with this problem. Try powder or cream blush, liquid cheek stain, or mousse blush to help boost your skin's natural colour. A multi-shade dimensional bronzer is also great to have. Since we know how important it is to avoid the sun (tan-addicts this is for y'all), you can still get that sun-kissed look with a great skin bronzer. You can also think about using a liquid bronzer on your arms or legs for an all-over glow.
TIP: Bronzers are also a great way to conceal cellulite.

• Eyes

First of all, you will want to start applying a base layer of eye cream before you put on ANY makeup. This will help treat and prevent the wrinkles and will make your eyes seem so much brighter.
To really make your eyes pop, look for shadows with a bit of a shimmer to them. You can also use light coloured creme shadows to highlight the under-eye area. Pay close attention to highlighting the inner corners of the eyes to make them look bigger, hide dark under-eye circles, and take the attention away from crow's feet/laugh lines etc.
Smoky eyes says mystery, sexy and chic. For evening makeup use deeper and smoky shades for an ultra-sophisticated look.

• Lips

There is flexibility with lip colour, as it can be bold or muted. If you are starting to find that those vertical lines (which can also happen from smoking) are creeping up along your lip area, go for subtle shades of lipstick; you don't want to draw attention to any problem spots.

40's and Over

This is usually the time where women begin to evaluate their looks; and realize that it boils down to good old GENES. How you took care of yourself when younger, will also prove how gracefully you age. Many feel that this is the time to become a Plain Jane, I couldn't DISAGREE more. Fabulous has NO age limit! You will need to think about ways to keep yourself looking both current and beautiful as you age, and keep in mind that there are no absolutes! The makeup looks and hair styles that are flattering on certain 40-year-olds might be too low key for some 60-year-olds; it's all the matter of an individual's skin, hair, features, and where they are in the aging process. However, there's pretty much no getting around it: at some point as you get older, your features will need more definition.

• Face

Skin changes as you get older, and it is important to use a moisterizer that is appropriate for your skin type. As you age, your skin will mostly likely become dryer, making its nourishment more important than ever.
To plump up skin and give it more fullness use cream or liquid foundations they will stop wrinkles in their tracks. Light reflecting foundations are also great for minimizing the appearance of flaws.
TIP: To keep your skin looking light and clean, try mixing it with some moisterizer to provide appropriate coverage with a smooth finish. That should be the ONLY goal.

• Cheeks

Keep your cheeks looking soft, smooth, and bright. The best way to do so is to use a creme blush for a soft dewy look.
Avoid using anything matte.
TIP: Only apply blush to the apples of your cheeks to avoid looking over-done.

• Eyes

Just as an entertainment set or a great piece of furniture can be the focal point of a gorgeous living room, you should make your eyes the focal point of your face. This will detract attention from any fine lines.
Avoid glitter and shimmer shadows, as they only make creases more noticeable. Instead, use a liquid or mousse shadow that will sit on top of the skin, and finish it off with a masacra and a soft application of eyeliner. Creme eye shadows are also great and can create magic on one’s eyelids. Not only can they work great as bases, but are also a great alternative for their powder and liquid counterparts.
Neutral colours will be much more flattering than bold ones. Look for light diffusing neutrals or classy browns that will appear soft and make the eyes stand out.
TIP: Keeping your brows done nicely is like having a facelift without surgery. Avoid tweezing gray brow hairs. Instead, conceal them with a brow powder or pencil. Drawn-in brows are a big no-no! this can actually age you and are somewhat tacky.

• Lips

Personally, I really don’t like lips looking too thin. But I remember reading somewhere that it's a sign of intelligence. I'm not sure about that, but I do know that as we age, our lips lose some of their fat - give lips a boost. Manufacturers now make ceramid and peptide-infused lipsticks (I researched ingredients that enabled lipsticks to do so), which helps your pout look fuller and more plump.
TIP: Consider getting rid of lipstick and using lip gloss instead. Gloss creates the illusion of puffed-up lips, especially when applied to the middle of lips. Create a lip line by coloring in lips first with a lip liner, then apply gloss or lipstick over the liner.

Well I hope I was of some help, enjoy shopping and have fun... 

xx0
GiGi