Few makeup problems are as easy to spot in photos as a face that is one shade lighter, pinker or more orange than the neck below it. The gap shows most along the jawline and under the chin, and it can make even careful makeup look like a mask. The good news is that it…
Makeup that looks perfect at 8am and patchy by lunch is usually not a product problem but a setting problem. How you lock foundation and concealer in place, and how much you use, decides whether a base survives a long day, a warm room or a humid commute. The best setting technique for longevity is…
People often use makeup and makeover as if they mean the same thing, and it is easy to see why: both are about changing how you look. In practice they describe very different scales of change, from a few minutes at the mirror to a complete refresh of your hair, brows, skin and style. The…
Working as a makeup artist looks glamorous from the outside: weddings, photo shoots, fashion shows and grateful clients. The reality is a mix of genuine rewards and real pressures, and anyone thinking about the career deserves an honest picture of both sides before investing in training and a kit. The main advantages of being a…
Many brides are surprised to find that the same makeup artist charges noticeably more for wedding makeup than for a party or photo shoot look. It can feel like a wedding markup, but in most cases the difference reflects real extra work, time and responsibility that ordinary bookings do not involve. Makeup artists charge more…
Tipping etiquette can feel confusing, especially for services you only book once in a while. Hairdressers are commonly tipped in many countries, but makeup artists work in so many different settings, from salons and department store counters to freelance bridal work, that it is not always clear what is expected. In many places, including the…
Your wedding makeup has to look good in person, in daylight, under venue lights and in photos you will keep for decades. It also has to last through tears, hugs, eating and dancing. The artist you choose shapes all of that, as well as how calm your morning feels. Taking time to choose carefully is…
Freelance makeup artistry appeals to creative people who like working with others and want to set their own schedule. It can lead to bridal work, photo shoots, events, theatre and film, but getting started takes more than a good eye for colour. You need skills, a clean and well-organised kit, a portfolio that shows your…
Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo that adds soft colour and definition to the lips. After spending time and money on the procedure, it is natural to want to try lipstick over your new shade, but putting makeup on healing skin too soon can cause irritation, infection and patchy results. Most artists advise waiting…
Royal blue is a rich, saturated colour that flatters a wide range of skin tones. Because it is so vivid, the lipstick you pair with it can either complete the look or compete with it, so it is worth choosing with a little thought. The best lipstick colours for a royal blue dress are a…
A red dress makes a statement on its own, so the lipstick you wear with it has an important job. The right shade makes the whole look feel intentional; the wrong red can clash with the fabric and make both look slightly off. The best lipstick colours for a red dress are a red that…
Green eyeshadow is one of the most flattering eye colours to wear, but it can leave you stuck at the lipstick stage. Go too bright and the look competes; go too pale and your face can look washed out next to a bold eye. The lipsticks that go best with green eyeshadow are soft nudes,…
Face masks and lipstick do not get along easily. The fabric presses on your lips, your breath adds warmth and moisture, and every time you talk the mask shifts a little. The result is often a stained mask, a smeared lip line and colour that has vanished by lunch. To keep lipstick under a mask,…
Lipstick has a way of ending up everywhere except your lips: on a shirt collar, a napkin you then drop on the sofa, a white top pulled over your head or the carpet when a tube rolls under your foot. The mark looks alarming, but lipstick stains usually come out if you treat them the…
A lipstick snapping off at the base is one of the most annoying makeup mishaps, especially with a favourite shade. The good news is that the colour itself is fine. Because lipstick is mostly wax and oil, it can be softened, re-joined or re-set with a little care. To fix broken lipstick, gently warm the…
Lipsticks get passed between friends, tried on at make-up counters and carried around in bags for months. It is natural to wonder whether yours is hygienic, especially after a cold, a cold sore or letting someone else borrow it. To sanitize lipstick, wipe off the top layer with a clean tissue, then dip or spray…
A lipstick looks simple: a smooth stick of colour in a tube. Inside, it is a carefully balanced mix of ingredients that has to stay solid in a warm handbag, glide on easily, cling to moving lips and stay safe when some of it is inevitably swallowed. Lipstick is made mainly of three groups of…
Matte lipstick is one of the most popular lip finishes, loved for its bold, even colour and the way it stays put through coffee and conversation. It also has a reputation for feeling dry, flaking by lunchtime and showing every line on the lips. Both reputations are partly true, and knowing why makes it much…
Black lipstick has moved from niche subcultures into everyday fashion, and it can look anything from soft and moody to sharp and dramatic. It is also the least forgiving lip colour there is, so a little planning goes a long way. To wear black lipstick, choose a finish that fits the look you want: an…
Thin lips are simply one of many natural lip shapes, and plenty of people love them as they are. If you would like them to look a little fuller, though, the way you apply lipstick matters far more than the product you buy. To apply lipstick on thin lips, start by lining just on or…
Red lipstick is one of the most striking things you can wear, and also one of the least forgiving. Every flake, wobble and smudge shows, which is why a red lip that looks effortless is usually the result of a few careful steps rather than a single swipe. To apply red lipstick, start with smooth…