Category Archives: Makeup Tips

How To Apply Contour Makeup

Our professional makeup artists who take part in our Makeover photoshoots are often asked by clients for tips and tricks used in makeup application, so we have put together some interesting content to walk you through the process. Please feel free to ask any questions (below in the comments) you may have that are left unanswered and we’ll try to give you the answers you are look for.

Leah Richardson who was the makeup artist in the video above, has outlined, each stage of the process below.

contouring makeup illustration

Contouring Makeup Tips

1. Foundation

Start central and work your way outwards to the rest of the face. Apply a layer of foundation then buff into the skin using a circular motion.

2. Cheeks

Using a medium shade powder, work from the temple downwards onto the bottom of the cheekbone. Using a darker powder, then work underneath the cheekbone, creating shadow to structure the face.

3. Temple & Head

Again using the darker powder, work the product into the temple area thinning the face. Work the product into the hairline focusing on the outsides of the head to thin the face or across the top of the head to shorten the face.

4. Jaw line

Contouring the jaw gives the impression of a thinner neck and stronger jaw line. Contour from the ear, onto and below the jaw line on the neck. If you want to lesser the appearance of the jaw, apply the product more on the face near the jaw to create depth, rather than under the jaw to create shadow. Contouring the chin frames the face and can also shorten the face if applied more to the face than the jaw/neck line.

5. Eye socket

Using a brown pigment, work the product into the socket line in circular motions. This will give a soft blend to the product whilst the colour and placement will deepen the socket line of the eye.

6. Highlighting

Apply highlights where wanted or necessary on the face. Applying under the brow further emphasises the socket line. Highlighting the bridge of the nose brings it forward therefor thinning the nose. Highlighting on top of the brow emphasises the brow bone. Highlighting on and above the cheekbone brings the cheekbone forward and deepens the contour.

Blend the products together using a powder brush making it appear more natural and ensuring there are no visible lines between products.

contouring makeup
social share thumbnail

Vintage Makeup Tips

Our professional makeup artists who take part in our Makeover photoshoots are often asked by clients for tips and tricks used in makeup application, so we have put together some interesting content to walk you through the process. Please feel free to ask any questions (below in the comments) you may have that are left unanswered and we’ll try to give you the answers you are look for.

Nicola Archbold who was the makeup artist in the video above, has outlined, each stage of the process below.

vintage makeup illustration

Vintage Glamour Makeup Tips

1.Face

The first step it to apply a makeup primer all over the facial area as this will help the makeup to settle onto the skin.
I then applied a light shade of concealer on to the eye area before I apply any eye makeup products onto it.

2. Eyes

I applied a light beige tone all over the eye areas and then I used a smoulder brush and various shades of brown to create definition and depth into the eye socket.

To create a cat flick with the eyeliner I used MAC gel eyeliner in black track. I start at the corner of the eye and bring over the eyelid. Before adding the flick I try to get the product as close to the lashes as possible. When adding the flick I prefer to raise the eyebrow slightly as this provides a smoother surface to apply the product.

For the eyebrows I use an angled brush and apply a dark shade to the brow and follow its natural shape.

3. Face

Now that the eyes have been finished apply concealer under the eye area, top of the cheek bones, above the brow and the bridge of the nose. Also conceal any red areas or blemishes. Apply the foundation all over the skin with a brush or sponge, it is important to create an even and smooth surface and to make sure that the product has been applied everywhere as needed.

To contour I use an angled brush and using the MAC blush pallet I apply the product to the cheeks and temples. A quick tip is to ask your model to suck their cheeks in so you can accurately see where to apply the product.

Apply MAC fixing powder in invisible to create a matte finish onto the skin.

4. Lips

I used MAC lip liner in Redd all over the lip area, I then applied MAC lipsick in Lady Danger over the area and to give the lips a glossy finish I add Illamasqua lip gloss in Tremble.

Makeup Artist Bio

Nicola Archbold is a makeup artist based in Manchester. she decided to become a makeup artist after spending most of her academic life writing essays but wanted to do something creative with her time instead. Nicola can be found at the following places:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicola.archbold.5

instagram: http://instagram.com/nicarchy90

purple port: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/nicarchy/?referrer=nicarchy

All Makeup Artists participating in these Makeup Tutorials are from The Manchester University and are studying on a level 5 Foundation Degree in Make-up Artistry.

vintage social share
social share thumbnail

Fashion Makeup Tips

Our professional makeup artists who take part in our Makeover photoshoots are often asked by clients for tips and tricks used in makeup application, so we have put together some interesting content to walk you through the process. Please feel free to ask any questions (below in the comments) you may have that are left unanswered and we’ll try to give you the answers you are look for.

Leah Richardson who was the makeup artist in the video above, has outlined, each stage of the process below.

Fashion Makeup Tips

fashion makeup tutorial steps1. Eyebrows

Using an angled brush and powder of appropriate colour, shape and define the eyebrows.

2. Eyes -Primer

Prime the eyes using a foundation or concealer, this gives the eye shadow a base to bond with,

3. Eye shadow

Use a medium shade eye shadow to emphasise the placement of the socket line. Then work back into the socket line with a darker pigments, not taking the pigment as central as the previous colour. this deepens the socket line and builds up layers of colour. Apply the darkest colour pigment, focusing mainly on the very outer corners of the eyes. For a well blended effect, always use circular motions when applying eye shadow.

4. Eyeliner

Using a fine brush, sweep the liner across the eye. Start with a thin line of which you can build thicker. When applying liner to the inner corner of the eyes, always get the model to look outwards as this opens up the inner eye allowing you to apply with ease. To apply liner to the water line, always allow your model to blink whenever needed, this will stop a watery eye from running down the face, this could ruin base make up if previously applied. Work in small sections to prevent irritation.

5. Foundation

When applying eye shadow, excess pigment falls from the brush and eyes and down onto the face. By applying foundation after the eye shadow has been done, this stops the falling pigment from clouding the foundation and creating a muddy effect which can appear as bags under the eyes.
Start central with the foundations then work outwards. Apply a layer of foundation then buffer into the skin using a strong circular motion.

6. Contouring

Using a medium shade powder, work into the face from the temple down onto the cheekbone, again working in circular motions. Using a darker powder work back into the face in more specific areas. Work the product into the face underneath the cheekbone, the temple, the hairline and if necessary the nose, chin and jaw line.

7. Under eye

Although you can use any colour for a smokey eye, for this fashion look the chosen colour which was previously used in a 3rd layer of the eye shadow was a purple pigment. Using the same chosen pigment, work into the lash line wight he colour then blend outwards.

8. Lip Liner

Using a liner that will match the lipstick of choice, create the shape of the lips using small stokes like sketching with a pencil, this makes the line more accurate than trying to create a full line in just one stroke. Fill the lip with a rough layer of liner, this encourages lipstick to stay on for longer.

9. Lipstick

Apply lighter coloured lipstick onto the insides of both the bottom and upper lip. Using a darker colour, work into the outside of the lips, meeting the the lip liner. Using small flicking strokes, blend the darker lipstick into the more central lighter lipstick.

fashion makeup social share thumbnail
social share thumbnail

Wedding Makeup Tips

Our professional makeup artists who take part in our Makeover photoshoots are often asked by clients for tips and tricks used in makeup application, so we have put together some interesting content to walk you through the process. Please feel free to ask any questions (below in the comments) you may have that are left unanswered and we’ll try to give you the answers you are look for.

Melissa Hardman who was the makeup artist in the video above, has outlined, each stage of the process below.

Wedding Makeup Tips

1. Primer, Concealer and Foundation

Using a buffing motion apply a small amount of primer over the entire face, paying close attention to areas which maybe dry. If necessary hide any blemishes using a concealer of your choice. To brighten under the eyes use a highlighting pen such as MAC Prep and Prime, this will lighten the eye area where any dark circles may be lurking. Following this, apply a small blob of foundation to the back of your hand rather then directly onto your face, so that you can avoid putting too much on, making the base appear too heavy. Buff the foundation into your face starting from the center working outwards.

2. Eyebrows

Using a fine angled brush and the appropriate coloured powder, carefully fill in the eyebrows, following their natural shape using soft strokes to create definition. Set using an eyebrow setting gel.

3. Eyes

If you haven’t already, base your eyelids with a coat of primer to help the eye make-up stay in place and not smudge, this is particularly important for your wedding day as you will want to look immaculate in all the photos!

Pat on a light shimmery eyeshadow to the first half of your eyelid, using a round eyeshadow brush. Using the same brush now apply a matte brown eyeshadow to the outer part of the eyelid and up into the crease. Blend the brown into the crease using soft circular movements and a fluffy blending brush, such as a MAC 217. Line the upper lash line with a soft, dark brown eye kohl to make the eyes appear more defined, blend the kohl into the lashes to soften the look. To brighten the eyes and make them appear bigger, line the bottom waterline with a flesh coloured eyeliner. Highlight the inner corner of the eye and under the eyebrow to help make the eye area bright and fresh looking.

In this demonstration the model is wearing individual lashes. This may be something you could consider doing to create thicker longer lashes that appear more natural for your wedding day.

4. Contouring/ Highlighting

Dust bronzer over the areas where the sun would naturally touch, such as the forehead, the tops of the cheeks and the nose. Contour the temples and under your cheekbones using a powder a shade lighter than your skin tone, this will create shape and definition. Lightly dab on blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend up onto your cheekbones. Start of slowly and build the colour up if desired. Highlight the very tops of your cheekbones with the same powder used to highlight around the eyes, this will give you your bridal glow!

5. Lips

Prepare the lips by applying a lip primer, this will soften them and help the lipstick to stay on for longer. Line the lips with a lip pencil which matches your lipstick, to prevent the lip colour from running outside the lines of your lips. Start in the center of the lips and work outwards on both sides as this will guarantee the lips to look even. Finally apply the lipstick using a brush for precision.

If you wish to hire Melissa she can be found via the links below:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/melissaalice93

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MaliceMUA/

wedding social share thumbnail

social share thumbnail