MANILA, Philippines - Seen on the runways of Proenza Schouler, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, and on the faces of various Hollywood celebs on TMZ, “no makeup” makeup is getting all the buzz. But before you put down the newspaper, we’ll let you in on a secret: you don’t need a flawless complexion to pull off going bare. At the Style Souk at Market! Market!, certified beauty expert Myr Lim of Make-up Designory lets YStyle in on her secrets on going au naturel, and making it last all day, too.
For those who want to do makeup like pros, Myr suggests using 100-percent pigmented makeup because it will make application a breeze, with no need for complicated blending and contouring. “To check if your makeup is pigmented, swipe the product with your index finger and tap it lightly on the other hand. The color should immediately stain your skin without having to rub it. It also shouldn’t fade to another color, because that means it’s not 100-percent pigmented, and product was added to make the texture richer.”
If you are always out in the sun, Myr recommends using SPF before your foundation. Individuals with oily skin and large pores should also apply primer after sunblock. This will make their complexion smoother, giving the illusion of flawless skin.
“Always set your makeup,” Myr stresses. “It’s the only way it will stay on your face the whole day.” Setting makeup means applying loose or pressed powder once after putting on foundation, and again after the look is finished. “Using a powder brush, put a little loose/pressed powder on the brush and run it all over your face.” You’ll only need oil blotting paper to remove excess oil if you have oily skin. “Never wipe blotting paper or tissue on your face because this removes your makeup. When you sweat, just press lightly, like you’re pressing the makeup back on your face.”
The most important trick in achieving the natural look is to have the perfect foundation. “Most women are afraid to use foundation because they think it will make them look like they have makeup on,” says Myr. Foundation makes up 50 percent of your makeup, and getting it wrong can make or break your look. Filipinas have a yellow undertone, so make sure to pick a yellow-based foundation that will blend flawlessly into Filipina skin. “Pink-based primers will make your face too white, and that causes the unnatural ‘floating head’ in pictures.” Good foundation will also save you from having to put on concealer and retouch with pressed powder. Invest in a good foundation applicator, called a stippling brush or a beauty blender, to make the foundation more even.
For those who want to step it up a notch, airbrush makeup, originally used for film and theater, has been made available for personal use. It has become popular along with the advent of high definition cameras and television, because instead of applying makeup with sponges, brushes, etc., millions of minute droplets of makeup are sprayed on the skin, creating a natural, non-heavy look. “Though airbrush makeup involves using equipment, it can also be suitable for on-the-go individuals because it’s fast and easy once you get the hang of it,” says Myr. It’s also perfect for people with large pores and blemishes because it gives excellent coverage. Silicon-based airbrush makeup will give a shiny, dewy finish, while water-based makeup will have a more matte finish.
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Style Souk is a project of Style Origin, a collaborative effort between Ayala Malls, The Philippine STAR and Tiger 22, supported by Visa, Globe and Samsung.