fashionUK >> professional make-up tips

Andrea McAleer and Shawn Kisiah are professional make-up artists with 15 years experience. This is their essential guide on how to get the most from your make-up.

The first thing people see when they meet you is your face and hair. You want a simple clean classic hair style that works with the shape of your face. Your hair should not be over-sprayed or stiff looking. This is where most people need improvement. Women will usually stay with a style too long. Styles change constantly and your face changes as you age, therefore you need to stay up-to-date.

The most important aspects of make-up are to keep it natural and stick to earth tones. It is essential to find out what colours work with your skin tone. When meeting people you don't want them to see your eye make-up, you want them to notice your eyes.

Most offices have fluorescent lighting, which is highly unflattering. To counteract these conditions you should keep your make-up and especially your foundation light and natural. If you're going out straight after work you can just intensify your daytime look. Make sure you bring along a good palette of neutral colors, so you can do a quick touch-up.

Good quality make-up tools are essential for the perfect look. This is not an area to skimp on. The right tools will give you the professional polished touch, as brushes of high quality are designed for specific areas on your face. You will get a natural and longer lasting look, and have better control of your make-up technique. If you have a limited budget, start with just three or four basic brushes.

Here are our top 20 make-up tips:
1	For a light sheer look, dampen sponge before applying foundation.
2	If you have shallow skin, pick a foundation that disappears on your face. To counteract your skin tone choose a pink or rosy blush.
3	Use foundation all over your eyelid, powder with a clear dust before eye colour application. This helps to keep colour truer and it will last longer.
4	Make sure to blend the foundation on to your jawline and slightly on to your neck. Otherwise you will have a line from your jaw to your neck and it will look like you're wearing a face mask.
5	Don't test foundation or concealer colour on your hand. Match it with the skin on your face and neck.
6	Be careful with shimmery products, especially on your eyes, they tend to collect in the creases. These colours are definitely not appropriate in the work place.
7	If you have large and open eyes, do not use loud or bright colours which will over-emphasise the fullness. Go for soft shades instead.
8	On deep-set eyes, you should use shadow colours that are on the light side of the color spectrum. Remember the rule 'light brings out'.
9	To avoid lipstick from feathering, line your mouth with a lip pencil and apply powder over foundation.
10	Always choose a lip liner that matches your lip color.
11	Be careful with very matte and long wearing lipsticks, they can be very dry. Creamy formulas are a lot more flattering. For more lip definition, try a soft colour lip pencil under your lipstick.
12	Don't pump your mascara wand into the mascara container. This pushes air into the container and makes the mascara dry out faster. Gently insert the wand, turn two or three times, then remove and apply to the lashes.
13	Always use less mascara on your lower lashes.
14	For clumpy eyelashes, use a lash comb to remove clumps.
15	If your mascara thickens when it reaches the end of the tube, place tube in warm water. This will help make the mascara thinner.
16	If you are thinking of lightening your brows, try a coloured mascara first to see what they'd look like.
17	If you want your eyebrows to stay in place, put clear mascara on them or a little hairspray on the eyebrow groomer and brush to the desired shape.
18	Brow hairs do not grow back thicker from plucking. Be sure to invest in a good pair of tweezers.
19	Wearing lighter coloured clothing helps to reflect light on to the face.
20	The biggest favour you can do your skin, is to wear sunscreen everyday.
Check out Andrea's and Shawn's professional make-up site here.

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