Two face

Which is which? In the photos, can you tell which side of the model’s face was done by a professional makeup artist and which side the model did on her own? Look closely. Is there a trace of smudged mascara? Or maybe an amateur feel to the eyeshadow application?

I didn’t feel confident enough to put on my own makeup for special events up until I reached the age of 30. Up to the time that I was part of a fashion magazine, I would still ask my co-workers (usually the beauty editors) to put makeup on me. I just couldn’t understand how to blend eyeshadow, fill in eyebrows and put on blush.

Now that there are palettes and kits to help all of us out, color combination and application are starting to get less threatening and complicated. Maybelline has eyeshadow quads (P499) and mineral makeup powder (599) that come with directions and illustrations on how to apply them. Some kits go as far as supplying you with not just eyeshadow and blush, but false lashes and glue as well, like e.l.f., (P399.75) at Crossings and Robinsons department stores. How can you go wrong? Barbi Chan of Maybelline New York shares, “Putting on makeup shouldn’t be scary because makeup can be easily erased and reapplied. If you’re not happy with your lipstick, wipe it off and try another one.” Makeup counters also offer free makeup sessions so you can figure out which shades work best for you. You can also learn application and seamless blending techniques.

So what are the basic tools, aside from the makeup items, you should have to help you start? “You’ll need a blush brush, eye shadow brush, eyeliner, and practice. Everything else, you can buy later. Practice first and study which feature you would like to play up and concentrate on that,” adds Barbi. So if you have pretty eyes, maybe you should learn how to line them properly and apply eye-enhancing eye shadow colors. If your lips are your best asset, pick which nude or red shade works best for you. Start slow and move on to more complicated looks later on. Have an inspiration pic in front of you, either from a magazine or off the Net, and try to replicate what you see. Study your face and enjoy this female ritual!

Can you guess which side is which? In all the photos, the left side was done by Barbi, and the right side was done by model Kate herself.

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For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at donna.cunapita@gmail.com.