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How to get a Flawless Complexion for your Big Day!
1. Moisturise your skin at least ten minutes before you apply your foundation - this gives it time to soak into your skin.
2. If you have oily or combination skin, apply an oil-control gel over the shiny areas, i.e. Nose, chin. To help make your foundation last longer, apply a primer like Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm.
3. Opt for a foundation that is light in texture such as M.A.C Face & Body Foundation, which gives a very natural finish. Always check the colour on your jaw - it should match the natural skin colour of your shoulder.
4. Apply evenly with your finger- tips, or a foundation brush, going lightly around the eye area. For creamier foundations, apply with a round sponge with downward strokes. Start from your forehead and work down, leaving your eyes until last. When all the face is covered, use a small brush to do the eyelids.
5. Now cover up any dark under-eye circles using concealer - use one that is very slightly lighter than your foundation. I like MAC Select Cover Up as it reflects the light. Only apply the concealer to the darkest areas using a small brush and blend gently with your fingertips. Use a medicated concealer on spots such as Dermalogica.
6. If you have time, contour your face using a bronzing powder. Create depth and shadow in areas such as the cheeks and jaw. Use some highlighting cream on the top of your cheek bones to emphasise their shape. (Please see contouring tips below).
7. If you prefer a dewy finish stop here, or create a matt finish by dabbing some cotton wool into loose translucent powder then press onto the face, starting with the eyes. Make sure there are no creases in your foundation before you do this.
8. Finally, use a large brush to dust off any excess powder.
9. You're now ready to start applying the rest of your make-up!
Contouring and Highlighting your Face. This basically means creating shape and hiding prominent features, such as a long chin or nose! Round Face Shape Contour: Sides of jaw, temples and neck Highlight: Centre of nose, centre of cheeks, chin and forehead Blush: Just under the cheekbones
Heart Face Shape Contour: Temples and chin, Highlight: Lower cheeks on jaw-line, Blush: On the cheekbones.
Long Face Shape Contour: Forehead by hairline, lower cheeks, chin, Highlight: Above cheekbones and temples, Blush: On the cheekbone.
Oblong Face Shape Contour: Sides of jaw and temples, Highlight: chin, temples and above cheekbones, Blush: On the cheekbone.
Pear Face Shape Contour: Sides of jaw and neck, Highlight: Centre of nose, centre of cheeks, temples, Blush: At the very side of the cheekbones.
Square Face Shape Contour: Sides of jaw and temples, Highlight: Centre of nose, centre of cheeks and chin, Blush: On the sides of cheekbones.
With Many Thanks To Victoria Edwards at Moving Make-up for the above article.
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