Hot Tips for Makeup Tips - Model Makeup

Tips for Applying Makeup That Looks Natural and Polished...Not Obvious

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I love the way the models wear their makeup in magazines. They look so sexy and sophisticated. But when I wear it like they do, some of my friends tell me it's too much. How do you know what the right amount of makeup is? Do you have any tips for applying model makeup for a natural look?

Sincerely,

Model Makeup

April Masini's advice:

Dear Model Makeup,

"The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural." Calvin Klein

Calvin is right; men don’t like makeup, as a rule. They like women to look natural and polished, which involves make up that isn’t obvious. Successful, wealthy men expect you to fit in wherever they take you. If you play your cards right, they will take you to a variety of restaurants, weekends, family events, and business affairs. Not only will you be expected to be presentable in everything from a casual to a formal look, but you’ll also be expected to be a standout. It’s not just a matter of finding the right outfit. It’s a matter of finding the right look.

Makeup should be part of your arsenal of weapons to create that enchantment. It should make you look more alluring and enticing, without looking garish. Think of makeup the way you would think of accessories for your clothing. Would you go out of the house without a pair of earrings or without your purse? Never! Just as the right pair of sunglasses can make an outfit, your mascara can work in a similar way. The right mascara can frame your eyes, the way sunglasses frame your face!

A good tip for applying makeup is to “cut it in half”. Think of it in terms of packing for a vacation – you always take too much! With make up the theory is the same. If you use a foundation, use something sheer, which adds a consistent color to your face. It should be transparent enough that your own coloring is enhanced rather than changed. Once you have applied your foundation, you have “prepared your canvas”. Now you can subtly add blush. If you look like a cockatiel with bright red cheeks, obviously you’ve gone overboard. All it takes is a few strokes applied to the cheekbones. Any more than that and you risk looking like a clown. With eye make up there is a tendency to add layers of shadow like some of the print ads in the magazines. Remember, they are selling make up, you are not. If you want people to believe your look is natural, then cut the amount you are tempted to use in half.

Even when staying home, you should always aim to look good. That includes using make up even when you’re just hanging around the house. You never know when a spur-of-the-moment plan will come up or if someone might stop by. Better to be prepared than feel embarrassed. For those casual times apply a light foundation to even the color. Follow with a swish of the blush. Enhance the eyes with a bit of mascara or lightly line the eyelids. No need for heavy eye shadow. Last, add a bit of color to your lips with gloss rather than lipstick. The gloss will give your lips that natural appearance.

Makeup is a creative endeavor like painting or cooking. The right lip-gloss or shading of blush can make a man turn and stare at you with inspired wonder. He may not know why you look so good – he just knows you do. When you look your best, it’s a sure bet that he’d like to spend more time with you.

“I love the confidence that makeup gives me.” Tyra Banks