Cayenne Says: Beginners Makeup Guide

Hello everyone!

Today my post will be the first of a bunch I’m calling my ‘Beginner Series’. It is for everyone who is interested in getting into make-up, but is not very familiar with it. Before we get into the more complicated tutorials, I want to make sure we are all on the same page. So I am going to give an overview of the different types of make-up there are, and how to tailor a routine to match the composition of your features, skin type, and most importantly style! I will also be going over some simple make-up tips and tricks I’ve found to be very useful.

This week, I’ll be talking about coverage. This includes primer, foundation, concealer, tinted moisturiser, pressed powder, translucent powder and more. Don’t worry if this sounds confusing: I’ll break it all down soon.

First off, you must be familiar with your skin. How do you know if you have oily, dry, or combination skin? It is pretty easy to tell. If your skin looks constantly ‘shiny’ and feels greasy, it is oily. If it has to be moisturised all the time and is prone to flaking, it is dry. For me, I have combination skin because it can be both. Some people, like me, have sensitive skin, meaning it can react badly to certain products. Other people (also like me) are prone to acne. Once you know your skin type, you will be able to buy products that will suit you best, and your skin will thank you!

 * A note about sensitive skin and acne: it is sometimes impossible to tell whether a new product will react badly with your skin or not. It may be necessary to switch brands several times until you find a product that suits you best. Don’t give up hope! You’ll find something that works for you. Promise! Also, although you may wish to hide all your unsightly red bumps under layers and layers of concealer, that can worsen the issue. If you must wear make-up over it, be sure to wash your face VERY THOROUGHLY before bed and apply a topical cream.

 Zits suck!

I find I like to wear much less make-up in the summer than the winter, because I usually end up a sweaty mess and make-up just makes things worse. So take into account the time of year and the climate of where you live. However, if possible, ALWAYS buy foundation or moisturiser with SPF of 15 or higher built into it. Your skin can still get damaged by the sun even on the coldest winter days, so be sure to protect it from those harmful UV rays. Your future self will thank you!

Also, some people swear that primer is the best beauty product out there. I have not shared their enthusiasm. I’ve tried a few different brands and all it does for me is make my face feel slimy and like it can’t breathe. But I still recommend giving it a try, in case you find it works really well for you.

 Anyway, back to the different products. Let me break it down for you.

 Oily/Combination skin: Although some people recommend using pressed powder, I find that it makes oily skin look ‘cakey’ and it feels thick and suffocating. I recommend a light layer of foundation made especially for oily skinned people and a dusting of translucent powder to banish shininess.

Products I recommend: Revlon Colourstay combination/oily skin foundation, Marcelle hypo-allergenic translucent face powder

 BEST. FOUNDATION. EVER.

 Dry skin: It is very important to make sure you stay moisturised. Invest in a good, deep moisturising lotion to apply before any make-up. There is a product called ‘tinted moisturiser’, which is essentially a moisturiser mixed with foundation, which I find is perfect when my skin is feeling dry and I only want a light coverage. It can be rather expensive though and I still recommend a faint dusting of translucent powder to set your make-up, just make sure to keep it light.

Products I recommend: Revlon Colourstay normal/dry skin foundation, Alba Botanicals kukui nut body lotion, Marcelle hypo-allergenic translucent face powder, (or Revlon tinted moisturiser)

Most underrated beauty product in my opinion! 

Now, you’ve got the lotions and potions, but how are you supposed to put all this on your face? Here’s a step-by-step guide for flawless skin!

–       First off, be sure to cleanse your skin and make sure you don’t have any make-up on. PAT don’t RUB dry. Patting helps prevent wrinkles.

–       If your skin is dry, now is the time to moisturise! Use regular or tinted moisturiser.

–       Next, if you are going to apply foundation, you do it now. There are sponges, brushes and other tools for application. I find my fingers work best. A good rule of thumb for foundation is to start with a very light layer and build on areas that need more coverage. Be sure to blend REALLY WELL with your fingers, especially around the hairline and neck. The most important foundation rule is to make sure you have a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly. If you are unsure, ask the make-up lady at the store to help you find a suitable shade. Because your skin tone can change with the seasons, it is advisable to get two bottles, a lighter and a darker one, and mix them when needed.

–       Now concealer. I haven’t bought this product for years and here’s why … I LOVE Revlon ColourStay foundation, which happens to come in a bottle with a screw lid. A bit of the foundation gets trapped around the lid and thickens, and that makes a PERFECT concealer, since essentially all it is is thick foundation. Killed two birds with one stone, and my wallet thanks me.

–       Now for translucent powder or pressed powder. I definitely recommend the former, unless you are going out on a fancy date and don’t plan on doing anything that might muss up your perfectly made up face. For the rest of us, doing normal day to day things, translucent powder is definitely the better option. It banishes shininess and ‘sets’ your foundation, meaning it won’t rub off or smear all over the place. Use a generic powder brush for this one, and be sure to blend well, especially around the hairline and neck.

That’s pretty much it! And remember, the sexiest attribute a woman can have is confidence! If you have any questions about this article, feel free to email me at bpesexy@gmail.com.  

Up next: How to find a killer eye makeup look that fits your personality and style!