Facial preparation

As with blush, it is important to pay attention to the shade of the highlighter in relation to the skin tone. It is best to apply gold and bronze shades on an olive complexion, light and pearl shades on a darker complexion, and pink and peach shades on an lighter skin complexion.

The routine of applying highlighter should be the last in the whole make-up process, before applying fixing spray as a means that will extend the life of your make-up.

With light semicircular movements apply thehighlighter on the cheekbones and cheeks above and along the bronzer or blush, and then in the middle of the chin, in the middle of the nose and on its tip, in the inner corners of the eyes, above the upper lip for a fuller look and slightly above the eyebrows.

Short tip: if you want to make your own home made highlighter, it's very easy! Take your favorite body oil like jojoba, almond or coconut and add a highlighter powder or some bright shimmery eyeshadow. Combine the crushed powder with the oil and shake the bottle in which you prepared it. Now your liquid illuminator is ready to use!

The glow of the highlighter on your face also depends on the light you are under. If you go on an evening out, feel free to apply more product, but if you will be in the strong sun, still pay attention to the amount of highlighter.

Photo credit: @leddabeauty

To make your face shine, do not forget to apply some highlighter that will emphasize the glow of your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, your chin and above your eyebrows. Many make-up artists like to apply a touch of highlighter on the collarbones and shoulders in order to get the full shine of the whole body.

One of the brushes that is a favorite among our users is the so-called fan-brush 05, which is ideal for applying highlighter as it properly spreads the product on the desired part of the face. Apart from it, there is a brush 22 which is great for applying highlighter too, but also any powder products.

You can currently find various types of hihglighters on the market, such as liquid ones or even creamy, which blend with the applied foundation and give the skin a natural glow.

Powder products are more useful for oily skin and are easy to apply with a brush, and stick highlighter, which is more useful for application under the eyebrows and in the corners of the eyes.

Photocredit: @leddabeauty

It is important to emphasize that a matte bronzer is a better choice than a glossy one to apply on the face. Glittery bronzer further emphasizes skin imperfections and enlarged pores, so it is better to use it to emphasize the shoulders, décolleté and collarbones.

To achieve an even and smoothly applied blush, brush 04 is useful, and you can also use the multi-purpose kabuki brush.

If you have already applied too much bronzer product, you can reduce its intensity by tapping the face where you applied it  with a clean sponge or liquid powder brush.

 If this trick doesn't help, you can always reach for a transparent powder that you will apply to the blush area and it will soften the sharpness a bit. If you use a cream bronzer or blush, you will reduce its intensity by applying a little foundation or concealer over it.

Bronzer can also be applied with blush brushes, and additionally brush 21, as it can be used for mild facial contouring. It gives an effect of a sun-kissed skin!

Photo credit: @dorasvanity

Blush is used in order to give the face a healthy colour, so when applied, it should not have sharp lines and be applied too intensely. Blending is an important aspect of good blush application: without invisible transitions you will find it difficult to achieve a completely natural and discreet look.

If you have an elongated face, you should put on a boomerang-shaped blush because it is the one that best suits a longer face. Make sure your hand movements are short and one-way, not circular, as that will give you an unnatural effect on your cheekbones.

If your face is closer to a round shape, you should take our brush 05 and apply the blush in a semicircle with it, taking care that it does not pass to the lower part of the cheekbone. This technique will achieve a more elongated shape of the face.

If your face has stronger  features and a more square shape, your blush should be applied more gently. It is advisable to put a darker blush next to the jawbone while avoiding the chin.

Short tip: apricot or pink are the best shades of blush for a lighter complexion, shades of purple for an olive complexion and darker pink or dark red for people with a darker complexion.

It is enough to pick up the product with a brush and apply it with light movements along the cheekbones. Be careful not to overdo it as you will look unnecessarily red in the daylight.

Photo credit: @nikolinatukic.makeupartistry

The contouring process begins by applying the base on your face and placing concealer on the problematic areas, in the middle of the nose and in the middle of the forehead. After applying a lighter concealer, take a little darker product and apply it under the cheekbones, along the edges of the nose and on the line below the hair growth.

If you apply contours to a round face, start by applying a darker contouring product to the areas of the nose, the edge of the chin, the cheekbones and the scalp.

Also, draw a line under the jaw on both sides to visually narrow the face. Beneath the blended darker line along the cheekbones, apply a lighter contouring product to get the effect of extention.

On the other hand, if you want to achieve good contours on a longer face shape, apply a darker product under the scalp along the edge to the chin blending lines towards the neck.

In addition to that, draw lines with darker powder in the middle of the cheek and blend with a brush towards the ears. Apply a lighter concealer to the beginning of the cheek along the jaw and to the middle of the nose and forehead.

Lastly, don’t forget to apply bronzer above the line of the darker contouring product and highlighter along the line of the nose and cheekbones. Set with loose powder or just brush with a larger, soft brush all over your face to even it out. Now your contours are done!

Photo credit: @vanjalandripet

If you want to emphasize the features of your face as clearly and precisely as possible, be sure to try the contouring technique.

It is obtained by drawing sharp, darker lines along the chin on both sides, below the cheekbones, along the edges of the nose and at the top of the forehead. Drawing lines can be done with several different Noelle brushes such as the brush 23, specially designed to blend the drawn lines into a tan and gently, but clearly, accentuate the main points of the face.

To blend the darker contouring lines with the rest of the brighter face in a subtle way, it is enough to dab the product patiently with a brush until the lines stop being so sharp and drawn.

Another good choice of brushes for contouring the brush 04, whose bristles are densely spaced and tapering at the tip to accurately and precisely touch and lightly smear the drawn lines. In addition, our brush 21 from the Highlight & contour 5/1 set is great for applying bronzer contours, ideal for beginners in this technique.

These five brushes are perfectly adapted to any skin type, and can be used for products of any texture - from liquid foundation, stone powder, cream blush, eyeshadow and shimmer, liquid or solid highlighter, to creamy contouring palettes, and blending of all these products.

Photo credit: @nikolina_misetic

An excellent choice for applying liquid foundation are our brushes 01 and 02, which are specially made for applying a good base without irritating the skin or leaving traces and hair.

Put on powder, for example, with a brush 22, which is intended for applying lighter foundations and blushes, and apply it only on the T-zone, spreading the foundation outwards.

In addition to powder, many people use a concealer in their make-up routine to conceal minor imperfections such as pimples, freckles or dark circles. For darker imperfections, always choose a concealer with pink tones - it will best suit lighter skin color.

On the other side, a concealer with an orange-yellow shade helps best with darker skin color. Facial skin will look fresher if you choose only a shade or two lighter concealer than your skin color. You can apply it with our smaller, precise brushes 06, 08 and 11.

See tips on how to properly nourish your facial skin:

1. Spread a thicker layer of a mask on your face and neck
2. Relax and leave the mask on until it absorbs into your skin for 10 to 15 minutes
3. Now rub your fingers lightly over your face with gentle movements
4. Place your thumbs where the eyebrows are ending. Put your indeks finger on the spot between your eyes and make a smaller pressure. Massage in circular movements in that place and enjoy the relaxation.

Photo credit: ­_vt_makeup

The first step in the make-up process is to apply the foundation and powder as a base. It can be just one type of liquid foundation or a combination that best suits your skin type.

 There are cover foundations of different textures, such as lighter liquid, mousse, heavier matte and loose powder that is usually placed at the end of the powder application process. Find what fits your skin type by experimenting with different textures and brands.

If you want the foundation to stay on all day on your face, choose the one adapted to your skin type, for example, if you have oily skin, keep the foundation oil-free and use more powders, and if your skin is dry and sesnsitive, choose the water-based ones.

If you have dry facial skin, it would be advisable to nourish it well with a nourishing cream before applying the base, as highlighted in the previous chapter.

If you have a greasy skin type, it would be advisable to avoid creamy foundations and stick coverage as they could contribute to highlighting the extra shine and skin imperfections. Stone powder is best for this skin type. This texture will additionally absorb fat, and your face will look matte or smoothed!

Photo credit: @mua_megi

Since the skin is the main indicator of the general condition of the body, it often becomes problematic in accordance with the lifestyle - a period of poor nutrition, hormonal irregularities, urban city gas, stress from a hectic lifestyle and similar can cause skin irregularities.

 Unfortunately, problematic skin often comes in combination with excessive dryness or oiliness, so choosing a foundation for these types is very delicate.

In the case of rather problematic skin complexion, it is desirable to use dermatologically tested foundation available in pharmacies, and recommended by a doctor. Such products contain  salicylic acid in smaller percentages, which helps to exfoliate the surface layer of the skin and prevents clogging of the pores.

Foundations are great for concealing imperfections and correcting the entire facial skin, as well as for providing a fresh look.

Our skin is especially sensitive in the winter, when low temperatures and cold winds leave their mark on it. By applying a heavy base we do not contribute to the protection of the skin, but to make its current condition worse.

Light liquid foundations are an ideal solution when it comes to covering the occasional irregularity on the face and at the same time remain gentle on it.

Photo credit: @ivona_p92

PEELING

Peeling is used for deep cleansing of the skin and pores in which impurities and dead skin cells accumulate. Facial peels give us great results such as fresh skin, better absorption of care products and a generally more beautiful complexion. When exfoliating regularly, make-up sits better on the face and the skin stays healthy.

Peeling is best done right now in the winter when you don’t spend that much time in the sun. Since exfoliation removes the surface layer of the skin, it is advisable to use SPF protection a few days later, regardless of whether there is sun outside or not.

A firm brush 21 is a perfect choice for applying the peeling.

Facial preparation is very important because the skin needs to be well refreshed before applying mak-eup to smooth it out and look even with make-up on. Otherwise, the pores will remain open and the make-up will "sit" badly.

Before you start applying base powders and contours, remember to apply a primer - this is another good trick for longer-lasting make-up! The primer will precisely smooth out pores and irregularities, and the liquid powder will blend very easily with your face.

PRIMER

When it comes to make-up, one of the biggest challenges is keeping it on our skin. Just remember how many times it happened to you that you applied your foundation like a real make-up expert with even better quality powder, but after only a few hours, your face looked like you never even put on make-up?

Applying primer before foundation will give the make-up a much longer lasting time. After a good preparation of the face comes the application of the base or application of foundation, concealer and contours. It is very important that the skin is hydrated and prepared before applying any make-up on the face. Primer gives the complexion of a radiant glow before applying make-up and provides a feeling of comfort and smoothness.

photo credits: @make_up_by_rafaela

Every good beauty routine starts with quality face preparation for the day. A good first step is to cleanse your face with a pad or cotton ball with some face tonic.

TONIC

By including a tonic in your facial care routine, it is possible to solve the problem of dry and dehydrated skin, enlarged pores and skin imbalance. The tonic has its purpose, which is clearly visible with time and use - it regulates the pH levels of the skin, which are often determined and dependent on tap water, chlorine and minerals. In addition, it reduces visible pores because it gently and effectively removes accumulated oils in the pores and compensates for lost moisture in the skin. A tonic is an indispensable step in intensive facial care.

After removing the impurities created during the night, it is very important to nourish and hydrate the skin. You will achieve this by putting a nourishing cream or oil on your face. Apart from the fact that good skin preparation allows your make-up to look natural on your face, it also makes your make-up last longer.

CREAM

Having a good face cream on the cosmetic shelf is something we all strive for when it comes to skin care, but finding a cream perfectly suitable for a certain skin type can be tricky. As the beauty world is creating a richer supply of products every day, and the formulas that enrich many beauty products are becoming more advanced, you can find nourishing face creams that, in addition to being great for daily application, will also be a great base for foundation.

MOISTURIZER

Applying moisturizer before foundation is a golden rule that you should never give up, no matter how busy your everyday life is. The cream as such will take care of the flawless application of the liquid foundation, and after its application it is not necessary to wait for ten minutes as it is usually considered, but rather have the foundation instantly applied after the cream, while it is still not completely absorbed.

It would be ideal to sometimes include a facial peeling in the beauty routine, at least once or twice a week, so that the facial skin regenerates faster and stays fresh longer. In addition to that, a good trick for nourishing the skin are face masks that you can make yourself, or you can find them find already prepared in the store.

photo credits: @n.misetic