Tor Torre’s Top 10 beauty tips

With the onslaught of information bombarding the Internet, broadcast and print media, a woman can get confused as to which beauty tip is reliable and which is better off forgotten. Uptown/Downtown interviewed ace makeup artist Tor Torre and asked him to share his Top 10 beauty tips. Read on!

1. Always take care of your skin. Always cleanse, tone and moisturize. Cleansing removes dirt and makeup from your skin. This is a preventive measure to avoid getting pimples and blemishes. Toning removes any residue left that the cleanser missed out on. This also helps in closing the pores, making them appear smaller. Moisturizer makes your skin plump by locking in moisture. This also helps the foundation go on smoothly when you start applying it. In the long run, if you take care of your skin, you’d need to use less foundation.

2. Always use an eye cream. The skin on the under-eye area is the thinnest on the face. It is best to use an eye cream  to moisturize this delicate part of your face to decrease its puffiness. Using an eye cream with anti-aging properties can help “strengthen” this area and hasten the appearance of wrinkles. Don’t forget to apply the cream on your brow bone, too, to avoid skin drooping.

3. Sunscreen is your best friend. Use a product that has an SPF 30 or higher, depending on your lifestyle or activities. If you love the beach, use sunscreen with at least SPF 50. Sun exposure can lead to sunspots, wrinkles, uneven skin tone or even skin cancer so it’s always best to protect yourself. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you expose yourself to the sun. Certain formulas have ingredients that take time to “activate.” Be wary of using mineral-based sunscreen because it tends to “wash” you out, making you look ashy. Do not use mineral-based sunscreen if flash photography is involved.

4. Find the right shade of foundation for your skin type. Always do a swatch test beneath your cheekbones near your jaw line. The shade that disappears upon contact is your color. Use your fingers, a brush or a sponge when applying the foundation. Start in the middle of the face and spread outward. It is important to purchase the right foundation for your skin type. If you have dry skin, a moisturizing foundation will work well for you. If you have oily skin, use a water-based foundation. If you have sensitive skin, there are brands that offer organic/hypoallergenic formulas.

5. Use yellow-toned loose powder to set your foundation. This works well with most skin tones, especially with those who have olive or yellow undertones. It blends with the skin without making it look ashy. With a brush, lightly dust specific areas of your face where you want to minimize shine.

6. Use an eyelash curler. There are some lashes that grow downward, creating a “shadow” on your eyesight. Curling your lashes not only helps in opening up your eyes, this makes you see things clearly as well.

7. Use an eye shadow base. This helps your eye shadow last longer in this hot weather. This also helps in preventing your eye shadow from creasing. You can apply this straight from the pot or tube using your fingers or a brush. Spread it all over your eyelid all the way to your brow area. Once dry, apply your eye shadow as desired.

8. Master the art of putting eyeliner. Eyeliners are very popular these days, especially the “cat-eye” look. Gel liners are the best formula to use as they last longer in this weather. They do not smudge or move. The “cat-eye” look is great to use to help “lift” droopy eyelids. Start by applying the eyeliner on the outer corner of your eyes. Slowly move the applicator across your lid towards the inner corner of your eye. On the outer corner of your eye, add a small “flick” to create the look.

9. Invest in a brush set of good quality. You don’t need to buy a full-sized brush piece by piece. That would prove to be quite expensive for the budget-conscious woman. A travel brush set is as good as the full-sized one and it comes in a pouch for easy storage. Mini-brush sets or limited-edition brush sets always make an appearance right before Christmastime. Most major makeup brands do this, so always be on the look out.

10. When you are looking for a lipstick for everyday use, find one that is almost the same shade as your lips. This is the most flattering color for you. Go for cream formulas as well. Hydrating lipsticks make the lips appear fuller.