The Tools Of The Trade

If you have ever peaked into a makeup artist’s bag, you will see a mix of makeup to challenge any cosmetic floor.

But when it comes to magically creating amazing looking make up, the secret is not the make up, but the tools they use.
These are an array of makeup brushes, lash curlers, tweezers, scissors and the list goes on, but most women aren’t creating looks for Vogue. Most women just want to do their makeup better.
Here are a few basic tools to get you on your way to simple, easy, professional looking makeup every time.
The Face
A Foundation Brush and Concealer Brush will change the way you apply your makeup by giving you more control and giving you a smoother finish. You will also use less foundation so win, win.
The Tip
If your foundation colour is correct, you will only need to apply it where needed, starting in the middle of the face and then blending out and down. Foundation is really only about evening of the tone of the skin, concealer is the product to hide and correct any dark under the eyes, blemishes and redness. Be careful not to overdo the concealer though as it can highlight the problems. Use your brush to apply a small amount of concealer directly to the affected areas and blend with your finger.

The Eyes

The two must-have brushes that will do most of your eye application is a blending brush and an eyeliner brush. If you have good quality brushes that don’t drop the shadow your on your way.
The Tip
When applying your eye shadow, apply from lightest colour to darkest colour. I only use 1-2 colours at any time. Then, blend the shadow from the darkest point of the eye to the lightest. This is usually from the outer corner, blending in towards the nose.
Your eyeliner brush will help you smudge your pencils out to soften of the lines. If your eyeliner doesn’t go the distance, try blending a little eyeshadow into your eyeliner using your eyeliner brush.

The Lashes

Eyelash curler can be great if you want to open up your eye.
The Tip
Always curl your lashes before mascara and work the curler from the base of the lash and then follow the lash to the tips pressing as you go. If you just press to curl at the base you will get a right angle. Then apply your mascara as usual.
Quality is key. You want your makeup products to work for you, not against you. So if you have brushes and curlers that are just not cutting it, look for a better alternative!

Washing Your Brushes

Makeup brushes get a build up of product and oils from the skin in them and if not washed regularly it will affect the way they work and shorten their life.

Washing your brushes once every one to two weeks with a gentle shampoo. Just put a little shampoo in to your palm of your hand. Wet your brush with warm water and work the shampoo through the brush bristles until they are clean.
Shake off the excess water and pull the brushes back into place before hanging the brush off the edge of the bench or table. They should be dry in a couple of hours. Then, just fluff them up and they are good to go.