Smooth Moves
Facial imperfections are unpredictable. Without an invitation or forewarning, they make themselves at home on your face and cause you to look older, tired, dull or as if you’re revisiting adolescence. You can’t stop them from arriving, but you can easily send the likes of pimples, fine lines, dark under-eye circles and spider veins into hiding. The answer to a perfect complexion isn’t at the plastic surgeon’s office - it’s in makeup. Keep reading for the tools and techniques you need to create a flawless look.
Must-have tools
Covering up imperfections requires a few important products. Here are the essentials you need in your makeup bag to easily achieve a smooth, fresh complexion.
Moisturizer. To get a perfect finish, you have to begin with hydrated, healthy skin, says Vanessa McHugh, a makeup artist and Rexall’s cosmetics category assistant. So, put on a moisturizer suitable for your skin type before applying makeup.
Foundation primer. Smooth on foundation primer after applying moisturizer. “It keeps your makeup on longer and also helps fill in fine lines, which foundation tends to creep into,” McHugh explains. Try Emani Minerals Foundation Primer and Hydrating Serum.
Concealer. As its name implies, this product’s sole purpose is to mask minor facial marks. Keep a couple in your makeup stash - one that’s the colour of your skin and another that’s a shade lighter than your foundation. For best results, use a stick concealer. “I prefer it because it gives more coverage (than other concealers) and stays put all day,” says McHugh. Try Pupa Milano Magic Concealer Illuminating Blemish Concealer.
Illusion toners. Their job is to colour correct red, blue and purple areas - something that concealer don’t do. Green illusion toners hide redness (think pimples or spider veins), peach ones masks purple discolouration (think undereye bags) and yellow toners cover up blue hues (again, undereye circles). Consider Physicians Formula Mineral Cream Concealer in Soft Green or Soft Yellow.
Applicators. Fingers aren’t ideal for makeup application and blending. Best results come from applying foundation with a sponge or foundation brush and concealer with a concealer brush. Rexall has a variety of excellent applicators available in store.
Must-have makeup moves
The application techniques required to hide imperfections are straightforward and easy to master. Remember to always apply moisturizer and foundation primer before using makeup. As well, avoid putting on makeup with a heavy hand. “A little goes a long way,” says McHugh. “I don’t think you need a lot of makeup to get a flawless look.” Here’s how to cover up four common facial blemishes.
Pimples. Apply foundation to your entire face. Put a bit of skin-toned concealer on top of the pimple, blending the edges with a brush. For bright red blemishes, McHugh suggests placing a dot of green illusion toner on the pimple, blending the edges with a brush, before applying foundation and concealer. Complete the look with an application of loose powder.
Fine lines. Carefully fill in fine lines using a fine-tip brush and concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation. Apply foundation to your entire face. If you put on too much concealer and foundation, remove the excess by gently going over fine lines with a wet sponge, suggests McHugh. Finally, apply loose powder.
TIP: Avoid makeup with shimmer, always choosing mattes. Shimmers illuminate fine lines, calling more attention to them.
Under-eye circles. Determine what shade of illusion toner you need (see previous section for guidelines). Dot the illusion toner from the inside corner of your eyes to the outer corner of your eyes, and blend with a concealer brush, instructs McHugh. Or, if you don’t have dark circles, apply skin-toned concealer in the same way. Apply foundation to your entire face. If you used illusion toner and can see its hue, dot concealer under your eyes, and blend. Finish off with an application of loose powder.
Spider veins. If they are prominent and red, apply a green illusion toner on top of the spider veins using a fine-tip concealer brush, and blend. (Otherwise, apply regular concealer in the same way after you put on foundation.) Apply foundation to your entire face. “If the foundation evens it out and you can’t see any green, stop there,” says McHugh. “But if you can still see the green coming through, put some concealer overtop (and blend).” Complete the look with a dusting of loose powder.
