What is the secret to applying make-up?

Every woman longs for flawless skin, and make-up can make that dream come true. However, you need to choose the right shade of make-up, know how to apply it, and also remember a few basic rules. Anyone who wants skin without unsightly colour patches and visible lines of demarcation can’t do without a bit of theory.

Skin preparation

Before you start applying make-up itself, it is essential to prepare your skin for it. Cleanse it, use a moisturiser (and possibly a serum too), and apply a base, i.e. a primer. The main tasks of a primer include evening out the skin and mattifying it. Last but not least, a primer helps make sure your make-up stays looking beautiful for as long as possible.

Correct make-up application

Don’t apply make-up only to your face, but also to your neck, and try to ensure the transitions aren’t visible. When applying, work from the centre of the face (forehead, nose, chin) outwards. You need to work the make-up into the skin, pressing or patting it in. Spreading isn’t suitable, as you unnecessarily wipe off and ruin the base. What should you apply make-up with? You can use special brushes, a sponge, and in a pinch even your fingers.

Applying make-up with brushes takes a bit of practice. For a natural look, a stipple brush is suitable; for higher coverage, a foundation brush, which allows you to build up layers. Fans of powder foundations should reach for a kabuki brush with dense bristles.

A sponge (also known as a beauty blender) is probably the quickest way to apply make-up. Before use, it needs to be dampened so it softens and absorbs water rather than make-up. Then press the make-up into the skin with the sponge.

Applying make-up with your fingers should really only be an emergency option. It tempts you not to press the make-up into the skin, but rather to spread it. And that isn’t suitable.

Tip for you: Finish with powder to set your make-up and mattify the skin. Then pop the powder into your handbag too, and when your face starts to shine, powder it again.