You might be doing some of this incorrectly, but here are very helpful hacks for the ladies out there.

1. Test new foundation shades on your jawline.
Apply three shades of foundation below your jawline, blend them in, and whichever shade disappears is the one you should purchase.

2. Don’t skip your moisturizer because you have an oily skin
By not applying moisturizer will dry your skin and make it produce more oil.  Try an apple cider vinegar and water mixture, or green tea as a toner which will balance your skin’s pH levels before applying your moisturizer.

3.  If you have an oily face, use a Mattifying Gel Moisturize
Cream moisturizer can be applied everywhere else instead on your face.  By using a mattifying gel, it will fight shine and keep your skin hydrated.

4.  Don’t use loose powder to fight an oily complexion
Nobody wants to look cakey.  Instead, use a clear mattifier. Apply it before or after your makeup, and watch the shine disappear instantly.

5. When hiding pimple scars, don’t just stick to concealer.
Apply a layer of foundation, concealer, and setting powder to make sure the blemish is completely covered.

6. Use an oil-blotting paper on your face
An oily T-zone can spoil a good photo.  Instead, use a try a coffee filter to remove the extra shine by dabbing it gently.

7.  Never apply concealer before foundation
You conceal something that is hard to cover with the foundation.  You will end up removing it as you apply your base.  So, apply foundation BEFORE the concealer. This way you’ll save using too much concealer.

8.  Don’t apply foundation in upward strokes
Use a brush or sponge to pat the foundation on for a more smoothened effect.  This will prevent raising the little hairs on your face.

9. Use a different concealer to cover under-eye circles and your pimples
Try a creamy cover-up that matches your skin perfectly to conceal blemishes. Concealer for your under-eye is a shade lighter than your skin tone, making your pimple more visible.

10. Don’t apply your under-eye concealer in a moon shape
Apply the concealer in a triangle shape to brighten the entire eye area.

11. If you have oily skin, don’t use products with shimmer
The more shimmer, the shinier your face will appear.  Apply a matte bronzers, blushes, and a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone for highlighting for the same effect.

12. Don’t apply bronzer all over your face
Instead apply it in the shape of a 3 over your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

13.  Wash your brushes weekly
Just like sponges, brushes accumulates germs and bacteria and can cause breakouts.  Instead, lightly rub a gentle face wash onto the bristles of your brushes and then rinse. The cleaner your brushes, the easier and better your makeup application will go on.

14.  Don’t pump your mascara
You might have seen most of the ladies pumping it up and down the tube, but guess what it pushes air into the tube, which can result in bacteria growth.  Just scrape the end of the brush along the inside of the tube, and pull it out at an angle to grab a good amount of product while wiping off the excess.  Same amount of mascara, but no bacteria.

BDST: 1737 HRS, December 22, 2014