You have to admit…sometimes it feels pretty darn good to be bad. To help you indulge your inner rebel without landing you in jail or with a nasty case of conjunctivitis, I’ve compiled a few long established makeup rules to which you can happily flip the bird and still look fabulous.
Rule #1: Use yellow-toned concealer to cover under eye circles.
Why is it that no matter the formula of the product, no matter how precise your application, yellow-toned concealer tends to create a grayish shadow under your eyes rather than banishing the shadows altogether? Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a place in your makeup bag for yellow-toned concealer, but it’s best saved for covering redness. The problem is that the yellow pigment is merely blending with the blue tone of your under eye circles rather than neutralizing it.
The key to covering under eye circles is orange-toned concealer! The orange tone will neutralize the bluish colour under your eyes. Yes, this may mean you will require two concealers in your makeup bag, but the end result is well worth it. Besides, the professional ones I swear by are probably less expensive than most drug store concealers!
Two of the best: Ben Nye Mellow Orange (above left) and Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation 600 Series (above right), available at Studio FX in Downtown Vancouver (604) 685-5509 or at Holly North in Burnaby (604) 299-2000.
Rule #2: Redheads can’t wear red lipstick.
Tell that to Jessica Rabbit! For far too long our scarlet haired friends have been instilled with the fear of wearing red lipstick. Given the myriad of shades and textures on the market, there is a red lipstick that works for everyone. Just look at the various ways famous redheads have rocked the red lip:
Rule #3: You can’t wear false eyelashes during the day.
Of course, false eyelashes take a fair amount of practice before getting to the point where you can apply them as part of your daily morning routine. Furthermore, your workplace may have strict guidelines in terms of dress. However, if you have a special daytime occasion, a wispy pair of lashes paired with soft makeup will give you added polish above and beyond your usual everyday makeup.
A lovely style to try is Ardell Fashion Lashes #110, available at most drugstores for around $5.99.
Rule #4: Mature women must wear matte makeup.
The textures of makeup products have improved so drastically over the years that this rule simply isn’t entirely true. This rule originated during a time when products were created with either a matte finish or a frost finish. “Frost” meant large glittery particles which would settle into fine lines and make them more apparent. Think Helen Roper, when the desired result is Helen Mirren…
As women age, their skin tends to lose its dewiness. So why prey tell, do people who make up these rules think that mattifying mature skin further is going to make it look younger? It is much more flattering for mature women to forego powdering the skin altogether. If need be, just ever so lightly dust the forehead and nose with a large fluffy brush and loose translucent powder.
The shimmer particles in the current eyeshadows and blushes are typically so finely milled that they will actually blend seamlessly into the skin. When light plays these products, it will actually diffuse the appearance of fine lines and minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
Are there any makeup rules that you blatantly ignore? What about makeup rules that you wouldn’t dream of ignoring? Post your thoughts in the Comments below!
xoxo,
M.
April 21st, 2010 → 1:02 PM
[...] Originally posted on 2009-08-26 [...]