Make-up Tutorial from before Dragon*con!
So, remember when I said I had made a make-up tutorial when I did my Dr. Girlfriend make-up test, and that I would post it "soon"? So much for soon, huh? Anyway, I change my favorite make-up techniques so frequently that I think I need to post this NOW, before it gets so outdated I'm mocking myself for being so terrible. lol
Clearly, I'm no professional, and my training is limited to one course in theatrical stage make-up, years of my dance teacher telling us how to do make-up for shows and recitals, and of course, playing around on myself and my friends and family as guinea pigs! So obviously, take my advice with a grain of salt, or take from it what you will. I was inspired by Jia, who's tutorial was absolutely fabulous~.
This is me with no make-up. Yikes. This is also why I always wear make-up when Cliff is around. Because without it, I look busted as hell. In this photo, I've prepped my face by washing it with a cleanser (I like acne-fighting cleansers that tingle a bit [see below], but I have REALLY non-sensitive combo skin, so if yours is sensitive, you might want to look into different products?? Maybe??), applying toner with a cotton ball (I used to use cotton pads, but they leave cotton fibers in my eyelashes! Do not want!!), and then using a non-oily moisturizer all over. The moisturizer step is REALLY important, because not only does it fill/protect your pores with a product that's much better for them than make-up, it also makes blending a hell of a lot easier.
Products: Clean&Clear Deep Action Creme Cleanser or Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub, L'Oreal Hydrafresh Toner (it's pink~!), and Clean&Clear Morning Burst Shine-Control Moisturizer
Next, I applied foundation all over using my (very clean!!) fingers. I used to prefer fingers over brushes because application was always heavier, and the warmth from my body heat made it blend better. Now, I'm all about this new foundation brush that's currently all the rage with make-up artists and fans. I also apply concealer either at this stage, or after powdering, depending on my mood. Here you can see I ONLY have it on my left eye. I don't like to wear as much concealer now as I am in this photo, because concealing some of the natural shadows under the eye actually makes my eyes look smaller.
Products: MAC Stick Foundation (NOT RECOMMENDED. IT BLENDS TERRIBLY. Their liquid foundation is <333, however.), Clinique All About Eyes concealer
The next step is to POWDER. HOLY SHIT, DO NOT FORGET TO POWDER. A lot of people hold the common misconception that foundation is what gives you that airbrushed effect, but really it is the combination of foundation and POWDER. Without it, not only does your foundation have no staying power, but it also makes you look shiny in photos, which is NOT a good thing to be! I know "dewy" is the latest hot word in the make-up industry, but when it comes to photography, you're going to want to be MATTE-MATTE-MATTE. Save the "dewy" look for regular days, when "natural" is key. (Aka, at your job, school, dates, etc.)
Product: probably either Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil or CoverGirl TRUblend Minerals. (I like mineral powders. Makes me feel slightly more natural kinda?)
Next, I applied a base shade of lilac all over my lid because, obviously, this was a make-up test for Dr. Girlfriend, who wears prominent purple eyeshadow. This was during my "I don't need no stinkin' primer!!" phase, which I shift in and out of (right now I'm out). Honestly, I think using primer is personal choice. If you don't put foundation in your eye area, yeah, you should probably use it, and if you REALLY want your pigments to be true and have a lot of color pay-off, you should DEFINITELY get a primer, but depending on my mood, I don't always feels it's necessary. I also applied blush in this step, in a sweeping circular motion from the top of my cheekbone near the hairline to the corners of my smile.
Products: Either my ULTA $20 make-up palette eyeshadow in Zephyr, or Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Lasting Lilac... wait, definitely the former. Also, CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk.
Next, I did the "Carmindy" and applied a pale lavender in the corner of my eyes and under the brow on the outer edges, and then applied a medium-dark purple along my crease, starting somewhere between the middle and inner corner of my eye, and gradually swooping up into the outer corner to create lift. Now would be a good time to point out the difference between eyeshadow with primer and without. This is without primer. Note how the color is kind of translucent. Had I used a primer, the color would be much more intensely pigmented.
Products: ULTA $20 make-up palette eyeshadow in Bloom (highlight) and Wildflower (Shadow/Crease/Contour)
Err, same as before. Just with 10x the creepy. Now you know why I smile so much, because DAMN.
Next is DRAWING TIME~! That's right ladies, I said it's time to DRAW. I lined my eyes along the inner rim (waterline), and tight against the upper lashes, gradually increasing to a thicker line on the outside that flicks up for an instant eye lift! (Note the difference between the last picture and this one!) Also, I filled in my eyebrows with brown eyeshadow, my favorite brow filler because it's retarded to pay for eyeshadow marketed separately as "Brow Liner" when I already have something perfectly suitable! Finally, I lined my lips to make them look fuller and more defined, since Dr. G has the look of a woman who knows how to do her face. I looooove lipliner because it INSTANTLY makes my lips look fuller (yes, even though I stay within the lines of my natural lip!), and possibly even tricks you into thinking that I have nice lips! HAHA! Although this step is not recommended if you're cosplaying a schoolgirl, maybe.
Products: Palladio liquid eyeliner in black (top lid only), Rimmel London Soft Kohl eyeliner pencil in black (waterline), Mary Kay lipliner in Dusty Pink, Revlon Matte eyeshadow in Rich Sable
Finally, I fill in the lips with color and apply mascara, making sure to apply a few more extra coats on the lashes in the outer corners for, of course, more lift!
Products: I think I used like, 80 combinations of lipstick and gloss to get this color, but for simplicity's sake, I'm going with what I used at Dragon*con: Natrobbins Stay-put Matte Lipcolor in Real Pink and Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds liquid lipgloss in Spoiled in Rubies. Mascara is Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara (I ALWAYS go waterproof because I have watery eyes and it has greater staying power. Some people hate waterproof mascara, but I love it. In case you're wondering, the only difference between the two is an increase in wax in the formula.)
Wow, I never realized what a whore I've become for Maybelline lately. I always thought I was more of a CoverGirl-girl. In case you're wondering, though, I generally just go for whatever's cheapest (but is a step above Jane, NYC, Wet&Wild, etc, etc. XD)
If anyone wants pictures of my brushes, let me know! And was this helpful? Would you like more? (Especially since I just recently updated my techniques!)
Clearly, I'm no professional, and my training is limited to one course in theatrical stage make-up, years of my dance teacher telling us how to do make-up for shows and recitals, and of course, playing around on myself and my friends and family as guinea pigs! So obviously, take my advice with a grain of salt, or take from it what you will. I was inspired by Jia, who's tutorial was absolutely fabulous~.
This is me with no make-up. Yikes. This is also why I always wear make-up when Cliff is around. Because without it, I look busted as hell. In this photo, I've prepped my face by washing it with a cleanser (I like acne-fighting cleansers that tingle a bit [see below], but I have REALLY non-sensitive combo skin, so if yours is sensitive, you might want to look into different products?? Maybe??), applying toner with a cotton ball (I used to use cotton pads, but they leave cotton fibers in my eyelashes! Do not want!!), and then using a non-oily moisturizer all over. The moisturizer step is REALLY important, because not only does it fill/protect your pores with a product that's much better for them than make-up, it also makes blending a hell of a lot easier.
Products: Clean&Clear Deep Action Creme Cleanser or Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub, L'Oreal Hydrafresh Toner (it's pink~!), and Clean&Clear Morning Burst Shine-Control Moisturizer
Next, I applied foundation all over using my (very clean!!) fingers. I used to prefer fingers over brushes because application was always heavier, and the warmth from my body heat made it blend better. Now, I'm all about this new foundation brush that's currently all the rage with make-up artists and fans. I also apply concealer either at this stage, or after powdering, depending on my mood. Here you can see I ONLY have it on my left eye. I don't like to wear as much concealer now as I am in this photo, because concealing some of the natural shadows under the eye actually makes my eyes look smaller.
Products: MAC Stick Foundation (NOT RECOMMENDED. IT BLENDS TERRIBLY. Their liquid foundation is <333, however.), Clinique All About Eyes concealer
The next step is to POWDER. HOLY SHIT, DO NOT FORGET TO POWDER. A lot of people hold the common misconception that foundation is what gives you that airbrushed effect, but really it is the combination of foundation and POWDER. Without it, not only does your foundation have no staying power, but it also makes you look shiny in photos, which is NOT a good thing to be! I know "dewy" is the latest hot word in the make-up industry, but when it comes to photography, you're going to want to be MATTE-MATTE-MATTE. Save the "dewy" look for regular days, when "natural" is key. (Aka, at your job, school, dates, etc.)
Product: probably either Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil or CoverGirl TRUblend Minerals. (I like mineral powders. Makes me feel slightly more natural kinda?)
Next, I applied a base shade of lilac all over my lid because, obviously, this was a make-up test for Dr. Girlfriend, who wears prominent purple eyeshadow. This was during my "I don't need no stinkin' primer!!" phase, which I shift in and out of (right now I'm out). Honestly, I think using primer is personal choice. If you don't put foundation in your eye area, yeah, you should probably use it, and if you REALLY want your pigments to be true and have a lot of color pay-off, you should DEFINITELY get a primer, but depending on my mood, I don't always feels it's necessary. I also applied blush in this step, in a sweeping circular motion from the top of my cheekbone near the hairline to the corners of my smile.
Products: Either my ULTA $20 make-up palette eyeshadow in Zephyr, or Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Lasting Lilac... wait, definitely the former. Also, CoverGirl Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk.
Next, I did the "Carmindy" and applied a pale lavender in the corner of my eyes and under the brow on the outer edges, and then applied a medium-dark purple along my crease, starting somewhere between the middle and inner corner of my eye, and gradually swooping up into the outer corner to create lift. Now would be a good time to point out the difference between eyeshadow with primer and without. This is without primer. Note how the color is kind of translucent. Had I used a primer, the color would be much more intensely pigmented.
Products: ULTA $20 make-up palette eyeshadow in Bloom (highlight) and Wildflower (Shadow/Crease/Contour)
Err, same as before. Just with 10x the creepy. Now you know why I smile so much, because DAMN.
Next is DRAWING TIME~! That's right ladies, I said it's time to DRAW. I lined my eyes along the inner rim (waterline), and tight against the upper lashes, gradually increasing to a thicker line on the outside that flicks up for an instant eye lift! (Note the difference between the last picture and this one!) Also, I filled in my eyebrows with brown eyeshadow, my favorite brow filler because it's retarded to pay for eyeshadow marketed separately as "Brow Liner" when I already have something perfectly suitable! Finally, I lined my lips to make them look fuller and more defined, since Dr. G has the look of a woman who knows how to do her face. I looooove lipliner because it INSTANTLY makes my lips look fuller (yes, even though I stay within the lines of my natural lip!), and possibly even tricks you into thinking that I have nice lips! HAHA! Although this step is not recommended if you're cosplaying a schoolgirl, maybe.
Products: Palladio liquid eyeliner in black (top lid only), Rimmel London Soft Kohl eyeliner pencil in black (waterline), Mary Kay lipliner in Dusty Pink, Revlon Matte eyeshadow in Rich Sable
Finally, I fill in the lips with color and apply mascara, making sure to apply a few more extra coats on the lashes in the outer corners for, of course, more lift!
Products: I think I used like, 80 combinations of lipstick and gloss to get this color, but for simplicity's sake, I'm going with what I used at Dragon*con: Natrobbins Stay-put Matte Lipcolor in Real Pink and Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds liquid lipgloss in Spoiled in Rubies. Mascara is Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara (I ALWAYS go waterproof because I have watery eyes and it has greater staying power. Some people hate waterproof mascara, but I love it. In case you're wondering, the only difference between the two is an increase in wax in the formula.)
Wow, I never realized what a whore I've become for Maybelline lately. I always thought I was more of a CoverGirl-girl. In case you're wondering, though, I generally just go for whatever's cheapest (but is a step above Jane, NYC, Wet&Wild, etc, etc. XD)
If anyone wants pictures of my brushes, let me know! And was this helpful? Would you like more? (Especially since I just recently updated my techniques!)