The Makeup Virgin

I've heard it so many times... "I want to wear makeup, but have no clue where to start!" Breathe, bella... Even the most amazing makeup artists started somewhere!

To me, makeup is an art. It's a form of expression. Not only does make-up enhance your natural beauty, but it should say something about who you are. You should wear it confidently.

If you're wondering where to start, I think the following list will prove to be helpful...

Skin care should be your priority, so we'll begin there.

A gentle makeup remover is a "must have". Sleeping with your makeup on can be damaging to your skin. Give your face a break at night... Your skin (and pillow cases) will thank you.

For puffy bags, use an eye cream. Not only will it help reduce the puffiness, but it'll help your concealer go on smoother and avoid creasing.

Find a moisturizer with SPF. You may think you don't need a moisturizer, but once you start washing your face more (to remove your makeup) you'll need to help your skin replace some of the natural oils you've stripped away. 

Why with SPF? Well, if skin cancer isn't scary enough, know that wearing a moisturizer with SPF will prevent you from getting brown spots and help slow down the aging process. Who can say no to that?

Don't ignore your lips! Lipstick won't look right if your lips aren't healthy. Exfoliate them and moisturize them. Sugar lip scrubs can easily be made at home (there are awesome recipes on Pinterest) and lip balms (with ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, and coconut oil) are easy to find at any mass retailer or drugstore.

Now you've taken care of your skin and your face is ready for some magic.

If you want to even out your complexion, you'll need one of the following (in order of coverage, from least to most): 

• tinted moisturizer - moisturizer with a bit of color
• BB cream - heavier than tinted moisturizers, but lighter than foundation and may have added skin care benefits, like anti-oxidants
• CC cream - provides color correction and is lighter than a BB cream
• foundation - heavier than the ones previously mentioned and tend to provide the most coverage

Most tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and CC creams don't come in a huge array of colors, so don't expect to find a perfect match. When looking for your foundation color, match it to your jawline and remember to keep your skin type in mind.

If you have dark circles, you'll want to find a concealer that will mask the blueness. Choose one with a peach hue rather than a yellow one.

Now to the fun stuff. Let's talk color! (Yay!)

Whether color fascinates you or overwhelms you, choosing the right color(s) are important. Now, when I say "the right colors" I don't mean what's flattering on your skin tone, what'll make your eyes pop, or any of that other stuff that might be more confusing than helpful. This is where you'll have to trust me. Ready? Let's do this.

Lips:

Think of a color you like and are/would be comfortable wearing. Got it? Good. Find a matching liner (to prevent the color from bleeding). Put in on your (smooth exfoliated) lips, smile, and VIOLA! Do you feel great and confident? If so, you're done choosing a lipstick shade! 

Keep in mind the finish of the lipstick as well. You don't want to be uncomfortable with a sticky or dry set of lips. Typically, a satin finish is a happy medium. 

Eyes:

I would suggest investing in a small palette. Palettes offer a range of shades that compliment each other. Identify the highlighter(s), which are colors one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. This color will go on your brow bone and the inner corner of the eye. Then pick two more colors, a medium shade and a darker shade. Put the medium shade on your lid and the darker shade on the outer corner and blend into the crease.

Accentuate your eyes with a black or brown eyeliner. If you're willing to be more adventurous, go for a purple, blue or green liner. 

Finish off with black or brown mascara. Try a volumizing mascara for length, thickness and curl! 

Cheeks:

Your blush should compliment your lipstick. Stick to the same undertones and color family. Apply to the apples of your cheeks.

Eyebrows:

If you want fuller eyebrows, you'll need to fill them in. Most people find that starting with a pencil is easiest; however, use a tinted gel, pomade, wax and/or powder if you find any of those easier to work with. The point is for you to achieve your desired results. Just make sure to match the color to the color of your brows, follow your natural brow shape, and don't forget to add a brush to your list if your product requires it for application. Remember, you want them to look natural, not "sharpied" on, so start little by little and apply more product as needed.
Only use a clear brow gel if you're lucky enough to have great eyebrows. ;)

Tools:
You'll need brushes and/or sponges for application. This isn't exactly a must, but you might find it easier to achieve your desired results with the right tools in which to apply and blend your products with.

Alright, beauties, I hope that information is helpful as you decide to take that long walk down the makeup aisle. Take baby steps. You do not have to go out and buy every single item I mentioned. Maybe you just want to start wearing lipstick and some blush... Start there and add other things as you become more comfortable. In upcoming posts I'll go more in depth about application, other products to use (such as primers), makeup tools and much more, so stay tuned! Until then, keep it sassy!