As someone who is deeply invested in the world of beauty, my makeup skills have developed through the trends and techniques that I’ve found through beauty media. Switching up my routine every once in a while has proved beneficial in helping me discover the most optimal ways to execute a flawless base or an eye look. Below is a list of five of the most influential tips I have learned that have helped my makeup skills evolve into what they are today.
Eyeshadow for Eyeliner
For years, I strictly used black liquid eyeliner to draw out wings, but once I began experimenting with eyeshadow for cat eyes, I realized how much versatility I could have in my makeup looks. This hack is one of the oldest in the book by now, but is so useful for a variety of eye makeup styles. Whether you’re new to makeup or a seasoned professional, eyeshadow makes it so much simpler to nail the perfect wing. You can fix mistakes by blending out shaky lines, using flesh-toned powder at the edges, or just covering them with a bit of concealer, which is often easier to do than covering up a liquid eyeliner. This technique also allows for a lot of flexibility in what style of eyeliner you do: a sharp, bold wing or a softer, smoked out look are both easily created. Now, I also attempt to implement different colors for eyeliner because of the greater variety in hues I can choose from when using eyeshadow.
Lipstick as Blush
A simple way to tie your makeup look together is to use similar shades throughout the look. This cohesiveness can be achieved by using the same products across multiple areas of your face, such as with using a specific lipstick for not only your lips, but also as a blush. Once blended out, the lipstick can create a natural, dewy finish, or it can be built up for a more dramatic effect. Not only does this technique allow for a coordinated face, but can also expand your blush options with lipstick products you already have!
Waterline Eyeliner
At first, I was definitely nervous to attempt to put any sort of product so close to my actual eye. That all changed once I took the chance and noticed the difference that a little color in the waterline can make, and I have not been able to stop using the technique since. I typically apply a black pencil or Kajal eyeliner to my upper waterline to create the illusion of a thicker lash line and produce a more seamless transition into a black mascara. Sometimes I also add a hint of color to my lower waterline with some eyeshadow. Such a subtle detail can really make an impact on the final look and make your eyes pop!
Setting Spray Between Steps
For most of my makeup journey, I have sprayed a couple of spritzes of setting spray as a final step in my beauty routine, just as I had seen in most tutorials during my early years experimenting with makeup. Several months ago, after watching various creators sharing their use of setting spray multiple times throughout their entire makeup process, I decided to give it a try myself, and it changed the game for me. Now, I typically use a couple sprays after each major step in my routine (after foundation, concealer, contour, etc.). The products melt together seamlessly and the mist helps add a bit of glow back into my base after applying a lot of powder products.
Glitter Over the Eyes
Sometimes just a hint of sparkle is what you need to elevate your makeup look. Whether you have gone for a more dramatic color on your eye or are keeping it simple, glitter adds fantastic dimension to an eye look. East Asian glitter formulas have been some of my favorites that I have tried thus far because of their easy application and subtle yet magical effect. Any time I do a full face, I can hardly go without glitter anymore!