9 Simple Make-Up Tips Everyone Should Know

Lip Liner Doesn’t Always Come First 

“While lip liner can help to shape the lips, I often prefer and recommend using it after lipstick instead as this cleans up the shape and definition without a hard, visible edge,” says Rimmel’s Global Make-Up Ambassador, James Molloy. “This also helps if you find lip liner drags on your lips and pulls as the lipstick itself will help everything to glide much more seamlessly.”
 
SL Rates: Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner; Surratt Moderniste Lip Pencil; Nudestix Magnetic Lip Plus Paint; iT Cosmetics Pillow Lipsticks
 

Foundation Doesn’t Need To Be Full-Coverage

“Full-coverage foundation all over the skin is too much,” says make-up artist and wellbeing expert Lee Pycroft. “Instead, be clever in your application and look to sheer formulas that are a step up from tinted moisturiser, but not full coverage. These sit better on the skin. Then you just need to dab on some long-wear concealer where it’s needed – think under eyes, around the nose and on lids. You’re guaranteed a glowier, breathable finish if you take this approach and, naturally, that will make you look more youthful and fresher.” 
 
SL Rates: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation; Clinique Even Better Refresh Repairing and Hydrating Make-Up; Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturising Make-Up SPF45; Max Factor Miracle Touch Second Skin Foundation
 

Bronzer Will Add Structure & Definition

“A natural-looking tan has different dimension and areas of light and dark,” adds James. “Many people think you need a full-face of bronze to look tanned, but this is wrong. Instead, sweep bronzer just over the high points of the face, and to add contour to the cheekbones, temples and jawline. That will pull everything in together for natural structure and believable definition.”
 
SL Rates: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder; Code8 Bronze Summer Glow Powder; Westman Atelier Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer Coupe de Soleil; Rimmel Natural Bronzer
 

Groomed Brows Can Anti-Age A Look 

“Many women neglect their eyebrows, but it can be so ageing,” says Lee. “Instead, focus on making them as full as possible to continue enhancing the structure of your face. Use a brow pencil in feathered strokes to mimic the appearance of hair, avoiding any harsh, blocky lines. Then go in with a gel to help build volume and bulk – run this against the direction of the hair, before going back the other way again for a fuller effect. For pencils, Benefit has brilliant, cool undertones that are never too red, unlike some on the market. If in doubt, always use lighter colours when it comes to brows and always follow the motto: frame first, then fill.”
 
SL Rates: Glossier Boy Brow; Benefit Brow Styler Pencil & Powder Duo; NYX Micro Brow Pencil; Roen Beauty vowBROW Pencil
 

Concealer Should Be Chosen Carefully

“It of course depends on what you’re concealing,” says James. “For example, a lighter concealer under the eyes will brighten that area, but you’d never want to use a lighter tone on blemishes or all over your skin as not only will this highlight the area, it won’t look like a seamless blend or seem as believable. So, keep to light under the eyes, and similar to your foundation tone for the rest of your face.”
 
SL Rates: iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Illumination; Zoeva Authentik Skin Perfector; Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer; Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer
 
 

Mascara Can Be Used In More Ways Than One

“A lot of us forget how powerful mascara can be. We should all spend much more time on getting it right and utilising its benefits,” says Lee. “Try and use it to get a fanned-out effect at the outer corners by pulling the wand through to the tips several times for extra volume. Then take the tip of the wand right into the roots, using a dabbing motion to help build product up quickly. This will give the illusion of more darkness around the lash line and will last far longer than kohl liner. As for the bottom lashes, just target the roots – again with the tip of your brush, to avoid an ageing spider effect.”
 
SL Rates: Wander Beauty Mile High Club Volume & Length Mascara; Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Volumising Mascara; Iconic Triple Threat Mascara; NYX On The Rise Liftscara Mascara
 

Setting Powders Are Still Essential 

“People are so nervous of powder now and some would say don’t use it at all, but it’s often needed around the eyes where the skin is hollower,” explains Lee. “Look to formulas that are very finely milled and contain hyaluronic acid for extra silkiness. Apply it just to areas that need it: for example, where you have less fat on the face and need more dimension. You want to stick to these areas, and avoid applying it to the outer edges of your face as this is where the skin needs to maintain its luminosity the most.”

SL Rates: By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder; Ilia Radiant Translucent Powder; Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder; Shiseido Syncrho Skin Invisible Silk Loose Powder
 

Shimmer Is A Powerful Tool 

“Luminosity is the key to youthful looking skin so this rule can be broken,” explains James. “The key is to use shimmer in certain areas, if you have more texture around your eyes area instead wear a glowing blush. A shimmering eye can look great but don’t take it from lash line to brow. Use a matte or satin texture as your base and add a spotlight of shimmer in the centre of your eye.”

SL Rates: NARS Blush; Morphe Blushing Babes; Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise Pots; Rimmel Pan Eyeshadow Palette