10 extra beauty steps that make a difference

Like most women I’m always running out of time. It takes me almost 1:30 to get to work and I can use any time saving tricks I can in the morning. There are some days where you just want to feel a bit more special and crank up your routine a notch!

Layering serums and moisturizer

This is the only step in all of those steps that I actually do every day. Actually more than half of my time is dedicated to skin care in the morning. I let every step sink in before I move on to the next step.  If you have dry skin it will make a huge difference in how your make up applies. If you have oily skin you can replace one of the moisturizer by an oil reducing primer

Exfoliating your lips

I have chronically chapped lips, I kid you not! The problem with using lip balms is that it just doesn’t get rid of the flakes. It flattens them down and then they come back in force. A lip scrub will make you look more polish and make your lips look much better!

Letting the foundation set before you powder

I have to give credit for tip to pixiwoo. Since I started doing this, I find that I do not need as much powder and that my face looks much smoother.  I do foundation  and concealer first and then I do the eye makeup. I then go pack to powder and blush.

The two steps eyeshadow blending method

Courtesy of Gossmakeupartist on youtube

As you can see by the video above, this is a method I took from Wayne Goss. But basically the method is as follow:

-Apply your lid, crease and brow bone shade. 

-Take a clean brush and blend the crease into the lid and brow bone. 

-Apply a darker color to the outer part of your eye.

-Blend once more with a clean brush

I find this really does a difference in how my eyeshadow look end up. It looks less muddy than blending everything in the end. 

Tight lining

If you can stand it, this is a great way to make your eyelashes look extra full. It's also great for a no-makeup look!

Smudging up that liner on the lower lash line

When I'm in the rush in the morning, I don't go for overly complicated look. But I don't find my eye looks to be completed without putting something on the lower lash line. On most days I just apply softly some dark eyeshadow on the lower lash line.  If I want it to stay extra long I usually go for eyeliner then I smudge, then layering some eyeshadow on top, then smudge. 

Highlighting the tear duct and cupid ’s bow

Most women highlight the top of the cheek bone when they want to go for the highlighter look. Applying highlighter is in the inner corner makes the eyes look more open and on the cupid's bow makes the lip look fuller. It's also more subtle for day wear

Using a finishing brush

If you are a fan the natural look, then a finishing brush is a must. Once you are done with your face routine, use a clean, ideally flat large brush to smooth out everything and blend out the edges and removing extra powder. I like to use a big fan brush for that. This is what I do to smooth out my blush after taking pictures for my blog. (I always apply blushes heavier than in real life for pictures).

Using a finishing spray

I always though that a finishing spray was rubbish, but now I'm a convert! If you have oily skin (and use a formula aimed at that) it can make your make up last longer. If you have dry skin than it makes the powdery look go away and give you a subtle glow. I personally like Fix + from MAC for the dewy look, it doesn't however make your make up stay longer. 

Using a reverse lip liner

This is one of those steps I rarely bother with, but when I go for an extra intense lip, like with a bright OCC lip tar, I always apply reverse lip liner. It makes the lips look more defined and limits feathering. If you don't have one, you can use a creamy concealer around the lips.