How to Apply Professional-Looking Makeup for Day or Evening Outings

As a representative for Bare Minerals makeup, I travel around the southeast doing beauty demonstrations and giving professional beauty tips to women of all ages. In a few months I will be attending the Mothers and Daughters Retreat, which is designed to educate young women on how to prepare themselves for the workforce. One of the greatest hurdles facing the underprivileged ladies that attend these retreats is that they don't know how to apply makeup for a work setting. In the first sections of my article, I will give tips on how to apply makeup for work and daytime, then teach you how to translate that to an evening look.

"Professional Beauty Tips" does not always mean beauty tips from a professional, but can also be read as "beauty tips to look professional." Many women think that to look beautiful, they need more makeup, but the opposite is often true. Let's start with the foundation:

Before you can even think about applying makeup, it is essential to have a clean foundation. To wash my face, I use DHC brand Mild Soap, but you can use any face wash that suits your skin, as long as it is not a bar of body soap or liquid hand soap. These are too drying, and by washing all the moisture off your skin, your cells will try to re-hydrate themselves by producing excess oil. You know you have a good facial wash when your skin feels clean and slightly tight, but not drawn or flaky.

Next, re-introduce moisture in the form of toners and moisturizers. Unless you have very oily skin, don't use a toner with alcohol. I recommend DCH Olive Leaf, with has a smooth liquid consistency that can sometimes be substituted for moisturizer during very humid days. Finally, pat (not rub) your moisturizer of choice on your skin. For younger women, if oil and acne is a concern, use a light, oil-free moisturizer. For older ladies, a heavier cream can hydrate better. Both Philosophy and DCH make a great range of products for dry skin, while Dan Kern's Acne Solution moisturizer is perfect for breakouts.

Professional looks made easy

Credit: Esra Su

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