It took me 5 Years, working 10 plus seasons of NYFW, assisting agency artists and being on set to learn all these hacks. You might find some useful, some silly and some weird but these are my top 10 useful hacks that I learned over the years. Hope it can help you!
Cigarette Lighter
-I will always carry a lighter in my kit. It’s a great tool to not only soften, but intensify your eye & lip pencils. The first way to use this trick is to pass the pencils above the flame 3-4 times until it looks shiny, wait 3 seconds, and it’s ready to apply. The second way I use this trick is by breaking off a little piece of the eye pencil, placing it on a metal palette, then holding the flame beneath the palette. This easy step will turn any pencil into a liquid shadow that goes on smoothly.
Vaseline
-This is the perfect product to get that wet & glowy skin look. I love using this on the lip, eyelid, and cheeks. This is the easiest and most affordable way to get a natural, dewy finish on the skin.
Disposable Mascara Wand & Freckles
-While there are many ways to create faux freckles, this is what I’ve found to be the easiest and fastest. For this, you can use any finishing spray, 3 different neutral eyeshadows ranging from light to dark (i.e. Mac Omega, Cork, and Brun), and a disposable mascara wand. With the wand, scrape the lightest eyeshadow and mix it with your finishing spray, then flick your thumb across the brush end of the wand onto the face about 1 foot away for the first color. Repeat with the 2nd medium and 3rd darkest shades to build definition. I recommend practicing this on a white piece of paper before applying directly onto your model.
Khol & Waterproof in Waterline
-You may have noticed that waterproof liner doesn’t seem to cling to your waterline. This is because your waterproof pencil is repelling the natural moisture around your eyes.. To make your liner last, use both a kohl pencil and a waterproof liner. Start by applying your kohl pencil, then finish everything off with your favorite waterproof liner. Because kohl pencils have a powder finish, they act as a sponge by soaking up excess moisture in the waterline.
Eyeliner, Concealer outline
-After doing makeup for 5 years, I still find myself struggling to create perfectly even cat-eye wings. An easy trick that’s helped me get the sharpest wings is creating an outline with concealer before applying your eyeliner. This allows you to check your symmetry before committing to an eyeliner shape that may be hard to correct, no tape needed.
Stubborn Brows
-If you have thick brows, you know the struggle is real. A lot of brow gels out there just aren’t strong enough to give you that perfectly groomed look, no matter how many times you change your shirt. To keep your brows in check without breaking the bank, you can use Elmer’s purple glue stick, a strong-hold hairspray, hair wax, or a tiny bit of the clear-dry Duo.
Tape & Glitter
-Glitter is only pretty until you can’t get it off. Because of this, tape has become one of the most essential items to have in my kit. If you find yourself in the middle of a glitter mishap, just take a small piece of Scotch tape, wrap it around your finger, then gently pat the areas that need cleaning up. This trick will help save your life, especially backstage. because trying to cover glitter with foundation or concealer is a nightmare. PLEASE, NO DUCT TAPE!
Keep Lash Curly
-If you’re someone that struggles with keeping the curl in your lashes, try switching up your mascara routine. For the most dramatic curl, start with a base coat of waterproof mascara, then finish with your favorite volumizing mascara. For the Asian community, be wary of weighing your lashes down with too much mascara. Instead, stick with one good waterproof mascara and keep your layers light.
Guitar Picks?
-Guitar picks are the one item in my kit that get the most questions. These have become my go-to solution to shield from mascara mistakes. To save time, stress, and retouching the work you’ve already done, just place the pick flat against the eyelid while applying mascara.
Lipstick Hacks
-After you work in the industry for while, you learn to stop categorizing makeup. I now use lipstick on lips, eyes, and cheeks. Using lipstick as a cream blush makes your skin look fresh and glowy. Start by swiping a little bit on your hand, then use a fluffy brush to lightly buff onto the cheeks. If you find yourself going a little overboard with the color, just blend over top with your foundation brush.
Oil Blotting Sheets for lips (BONUS HACK!)
-A lot of cream lipsticks contain oils to moisturize the lips and create a shiny finish. To make your cream lipstick last longer, use a blotting sheet or thin tissue to remove some of the excess oils. Reapply and blot 2 or 3 times for the best pigment.
Thanks to my amazing friend Jenn Marasca (@p.p.r.k.v) for helping me edit this article because without her I would sound like a 2 year old writing it. If you enjoy this article, please share with your friends, and leave me a comment or feedback directly below! thank you
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