Now is the time to overhaul your makeup bag and stock it with quick-fix products to open up your eyes and awaken your complexion in no time.
Pictured: Perfectly lined lids at Dolce & Gabbana
Buy a Primer and Add Illuminator
Applying primer requires very little effort and yields big results. “It brightens your skin immediately,” says Matin Maulawizada, global artistry director at Laura Mercier. And there’s one available for every skin type and issue. Urban Decay‘s Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Portion ($31) formula boosts moisture for plumper skin, plus camouflages fine lines and large pores.
Dab on the right amount of highlighter, and within seconds no one will know you didn’t get eight hours of sleep. Pat it lightly on the highest point of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the bow of your mouth for an instantly refreshed appearance. For those combating wrinkles, avoid powder formulations in favor of creamy options, which won’t draw attention to lines or imperfections. Try Make Skin Illuminator ($21).
Play Up Your Eyes
If you only have time to focus on one feature, choose your eyes, since it can make the biggest difference. Invest in a shadow palette with a wide array of shades and finishes. Laura Mercier‘s Artist’s Palette for Eyes ($48) mixes 12 light and dark colors, half shimmer and half matte, that will suit everyone from you to your mother-in-law. Remember, too much sparkle can accentuate fine lines, so layer matte shades on top of shimmery ones for a lit-from-within glow. “Try using flesh tones to brighten the inner corners of your eyes and the darker ones as liner,” says Maulawizada. Good brushes make a world of difference; Dior‘s Mini Brush Set ($62) packs perfectly.
Try a Liquid Liner
A retro-inspired liquid-lined eye makes a polished statement, but it can be a difficult look to create. Estée Lauder‘s Pure Color Quick-Thick Eyeliner ($22) solves the problem with its new felt-tip liner, which is half the size of a normal tube, making application easier. First, line your lids with a pencil, then retrace the liquid on top, as seen above at Dolce & Gabbana. Or learn the technique with the online tutorial “How to: Winged Eyeliner” at cupcakesandcashmere.com. Hide mistakes (and under-eye circles) with a concealer like Napoleon Perdis the One ($29).
Maximize Your Lashes
Perhaps you splurged on lash extensions for the party season or you swiped on more mascara than your lashes could handle. If you’re now plagued with thin wispy stubs, you don’t have to go mascara-free waiting for regrowth. “During the day, use a nourishing formula to keep your lashes in good condition,” says Maulawizada. We like By Terry Mascara Terrybly ($46); it contains plant proteins and hyaluronic acid to help extend your growth cycle and add length and volume.
Get More From Your Foundation
New foundation formulas make it easy to fake a glowing complexion in a snap. Make Up for Ever Pro Finish ($36) is unlike any powder compact you’ve seen. It’s made with silica, finely grained mica, and a little talc, so you end up radiant not chalky. When applied with a damp sponge, the powder goes on like a (perfect) second skin. Yves Saint Laurent‘s Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation ($55) is another good choice; it’s the foundation version of the cult-favorite luminizing pen. Start with your cheeks and jawline, since those areas need more coverage, notes Maulawizada.
photos credit: Jon Paterson/Studio D ; Source harpersbazaar.com
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❤ Cara Delevingne, every time! Totally interested in investing in some YSL Foundation now, too!
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