Photo: Contributed - (Photo: loyalhairtherapy.ca)

Painting someone’s face is one of the most glorious and artistic aspects of my career. Anything that washes off so easily is meant to be fun and free (of most) rules. Wearing makeup is something that can enhance your beautiful features, or change you into a different person. The most challenging feat you are up against (as are most makeup artists) is longevity - creating a look that will wear perfectly all day or night.

The key to longevity is found simply in the application of your cosmetic products. I will admit, I am a product junkie. When I walk into a makeup store (or recently, a makeup trade show) I resemble a kid in a candy shop grabbing every new colour of the season and adding to my collection. This is why I usually bring a really good friend along, to keep me in line with my budget.

You do not have to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on your kit to create a stunning look. It is preferable to begin with the basics that you will wear every day and grow from there. Let me take you on a journey now, of how you can switch up your morning routine and hopefully prevent a bad case of ‘pancake face’ at the end of your workday.

Prime It! - Whether I am working in the salon or on the set of a photo shoot I never believe that my client or model has applied skin cream. I use a silicone skin primer applied with my foundation brush over the entirety of the face. This will even out the porosity of the skin, allowing your makeup to be absorbed evenly. Most importantly, the primer will serve as a foundation to your total look and makes it last all day.

Eyes - There are two options here. The people that apply foundation first and then apply eye shadow, or the people that apply the eye colour first. I recommend applying your eye colour first, and then any excess product that may fall on the face can be cleaned up prior to the foundation.

This season metallics on the eyes are hot. To begin, apply a cream shadow base on the lid area only.  Next, using a shadow or loose pigment of your choice, ‘pat’ the colour on the lid with the side of a shadow brush. This ‘patting’ will press the pigment on your eye for an intense colour. Avoid any ‘wiping’ strokes as this will spread the mica product all over your eye creating a mirror like effect that will reflect light and make you look like a reflective pylon under a camera’s flash.

To create a thick lash line practice applying a black waterproof liner to the water line of your top eye lid. Do this with a fine liner brush, head tilted back and very carefully painting the underside of the lash line. On top, apply a thick black liner and voila! Your lashes will automatically look fuller. Finish with a glide of waterproof mascara.

Face - Using a quick drying makeup remover (oil free), remove any fallen pigment from your cheeks or face. Apply your liquid/cream foundation starting at the nose and working your way out using a foundation brush. I suggest getting your foundation on quickly, and blending later- it’s all about efficiency. Once your face is saturated, use a dry brush to buff the foundation into your skin. Now apply your bronzer/contour in stipple motions to highlight your best features. Next apply blush. If you make a mistake or the accent looks too dark, blend it away with the product that is left over on your foundation brush.

Set your face with a translucent powder which will lock the colours in place.

Brows - For me, the brows are the picture frame of the face and are often overlooked. So many iconic women have set the stage for ultimate femininity with their brows: Marilyn Monroe, Brooke Shields and Audrey Hepburn (to name a few). Use a dense angle brush to apply an eye shadow similar to your hair colour: avoid too much warmth (reds, coppers etc).

Lips - Okay ladies, here is where I often see a huge faux pas. If you choose to have dramatic eyes, please (I’m begging you) go softer on your lip tone. For instance, you would never wear huge earrings and a huge necklace together - the same goes for makeup. Today’s trends boast a nude lip liner feathered into the center of the lip and then a nude lip colour is applied. My clients have been requesting liner with lip gloss rather than lipstick - but it’s personal preference.

All right, now you are set for your workday or maybe an epic night out with your girlfriends.  I hope your makeup application was just a little bit more fun than yesterday. Above all, make your look your own and if something works for you then do it. Like I said before, anything that washes off this easily is meant to be fun!