Make-Up for the Day Time

I'm not a big fan of a heavily made up face, but I always felt a bit of make-up could make any woman look prettier. Daytime make-up should look natural, and be used to enhance a woman's natural beauty, not as a mask or to try to change or misconstrue features. A pretty lipgloss in a pink or red shade, for example, enhances a woman's lips, but a lipstick in a beige shade does not (it doesn't look very natural or feminine, even though it's in style whenever the "nude" look is in...but how many women do you know who have lips the same color as the skin on their face?).

I'm also not a fan of heavy eyeshadow in bright colors. If a woman wants to wear heavier make-up for an evening out, it can sometimes look very glamorous and a heavier hand may be needed to apply make-up in the evening. A woman grocery shopping around noon with blue eyeshadow on in the bright light of day...not the same.


It may be that some women simply don't know how to pick and apply make-up. Many women know what looks good on them, and do not need advice here. If you think you may fall into the other category (make-up challenged), here is some advice:

1. Foundation- a light foundation is used to even out skin tone. If you tend to have blotchy skin, uneven skin, or if you have red around your nose or dark circles under your eyes, and don't like the heaviness of a concealer, foundation may be the right product for you. Concealer is often hard to match to skin tone, and many an unfortunate teenager has piled this on a blemish, making it all the more obvious. It's thick, tends to be used for specific areas, and is often obvious in daylight. On the other hand, a well matched foundation (it comes in a greater selection of colors) can double as a concealer. Go to a department store and ask an experienced sales clerk to help you find the right shade. Ask them to apply it to your face (or teach you to apply it) before you buy it. There are oil free versions if you have acne or oily skin, but if you have dry skin, you don't need this.

After you try it on, walk around for a day. See how it feels on your skin, and how it looks after an hour. Walk around in the sunlight and make sure you can't see where the foundation ends (if you can, it's the wrong color). Make sure also that it actually flatters you, and covers up what needs to be covered. You don't have to use it on your entire face. If it matches your skin, you can use it as a concealer. If you are pleased with it, then and only then go back and purchase the item.

Foundation is a great product because it can make a woman look like she has flawless (or close to it) skin. Even if a woman wears no other make-up, foundation is something I would recommend to many women.

2. Lipstick- When women are asked "What three items would you want with you if you were stuck on a deserted island?", lipstick is the most common reply (the other two items tend to vary greatly). Lipstick has the ability to brighten a woman's face and take her from attractive to pretty. There are many options when it comes to coloring your lips...many different colors, finishes (glossy, matte, with little sparkles), and you can even buy lipstick that is medicated (for chapped or dry lips) or long wear (so you can eat lunch and not have to reapply).

There are many odd colors out there for lipstick. As a general rule, if you are choosing a color to wear during the day, a shade that matches your natural lips and is just a bit darker is best. If you have pink lips, a pink shade will flatter you. If you had reddish or brownish lips, the same. If you do not have a defined lip rim, you can buy a matching lipliner to outline your lips, but this is usually not necessary (unless I am getting ready for an evening out, I prefer to keep my make-up routine as simple and minimal as possible). If you are seeking to look pretty and feminine, avoid colors such as purple and orange altogether...I have as yet to see lips that are naturally these colors, so using these for lipstick shades is just not very natural. I don't think I even need to remark on shades such as blue or black or green (but they are certainly out there).

If your lips are dry, there are moisturizing formulas. Glosses are very pretty, but some are too sticky and you may often find your hair sticking to your lips. For women who want minimal color but find their lips chap a lot during the winter, many companies (such as burt's bees and blistex) are now coming out with lip balms with a hint of color. I would save colors such as bright red or pink for evening wear, when a dramatic look is more appropriate.


3. Blush...if you find that during the winter you lose a lot of color, and are often asked if you are feeling well even though you are perfectly fine, a dab of blush on the apples of your cheeks may help. Most women do not need this, but if you do, go with a color that matches the rest of your face. If your lips are pink, lean toward a light pink shade, and the same for reds and browns. Blushes come in very dramatic shades, and many women go overboard, so buy a light shade in whatever color suits you. You may tell yourself that you will apply it lightly, but often, when you are indoors applying your make-up for the day, it's difficult to tell how heavy you applied the blush. It is better to choose a shade with lighter pigments so this is not so much of a concern. Avoid colors such as purples and oranges (also known as eggplants, corals, on labels...few are flattered by these colors).

4. Mascara...this is my favorite item of make-up. At night, if I am going out, I like to apply a dark black shade in two coats, thus extending my naturally long lashes even further...it has a beautiful and dramatic effect. During the day however, long pretty lashes are also an asset. A lighter color (brown or brownish black) may be used, and maybe only a single coat applied to the outer lashes. Long lashes are very youthful and flirty, and my husband has remarked often on my pretty eyes when I wear this on a date with him. If you have straight lashes and would like to curl them upward, do this before applying the mascara with an eyelash curler, using gentle pressure.

5. Eyebrows...Many women would agree that well shaped eyesbrows can transform a face. If you can do this yourself, I am envious. Many women can, and it probably saves quite a bit of money. I am not able to, so I have my brows shaped once a month. Shaping the brows tends to give them a lifted look, making one look more alert and refreshed. The arch of the brow is very flattering, and brows that are slimmer are more feminine (men tend to have heavier, straighter brows). Well maintained brows also give a woman's face a finished look, one that shows she grooms herself and cares about her appearance.