Why Your Makeup Looks So Much Better When a Makeup Artist Does It

There are two reasons makeup looks better when a professional does it, and I will share them with you below. First, though, let's state the obvious: if you do something for years and years, you'll probably be better than most at it. Painting different skin tones and colors and different bone structures for different occasions, along with lots of education, not to mention hard work and passion, makes a good makeup artist. So while makeup artists have an advantage in that regard, these two tips will really up your game.

1. Only use what you need

There's a myth that you need a ton of makeup to look great. In truth, more makeup can really age you, so a makeup artist secret is only to apply the smallest amount of makeup just where you need it. This is why skincare is so important! Rule of thumb - if you don't need it, don't use it.

Dry skin? Skip powder. Rosy lips? Opt for a sheer gloss instead of liner and lipstick. If you have great skin, just dab a little concealer around your nose, mouth, and the inner corners of your eyes for brightness and forget foundation. Let makeup enhance instead of cover - you'll be surprised with your natural glow.

Here's a video if you want that concealer trick:

2. Take your time

 When I do someone's makeup, she is usually astonished by how long it takes. Really, really good makeup requires application, blending, checking, going back in to add more makeup/fix something, more blending, and repeat again and again until it's where you want it.

Then, there are touch ups.

So, if it's at all possible, give yourself plenty of time and you'll see your makeup IQ rise.

~~~

When I first studied to be a makeup artist, I was so excited to learn the secrets behind smokey eyes and flawless skin - so imagine my disappointment when I found out that there was no paint-by-number solution. Take your time, just use what you need, and keep coming back to Electra Lane for more tips and tricks! To make it easier, make sure to subscribe so you never miss a post.

Jaclyn Hill Ride or Die Tag: Normal People Version

Since the days of her kitchen tutorials, I have been a Jaclyn Hill fan. Not only does she have major talent, but she also has an admirable and undeniable magnetism that's lead to nearly 3.5 million YouTube subscribers (!) and sell-out-in-seconds collaborations with top makeup brands. She recently created a video tagging viewers to show their "ride or die" makeup favorites in each makeup category. I thought about doing my video (you can visit my channel here), but I decided against it because, frankly, I just don't think people care about what pressed, loose, translucent, AND setting powders I use. And if you're not going on photo shoots, do your really need to own all that?

Anyway, here are my "ride or die," most favorite of all time, if-I-were-stuck-on-a-desert-island-and-could-only-have-my-favorite-products products that I also think are beneficial for those of us who don't have the time/energy/money to wear fake mink lashes every day even if that would be awesome take an hour to get ready.

Primer

Everyone needs to prime her skin for the day, even if you don't wear makeup, so this can be your moisturizer or sunscreen. For me, it's the latter. I love Laura Mercier's primer in "Protect" because it comes with an SPF 30, is not greasy, and doesn't break me out.  I also mix it with my foundation to create a tinted moisturizer.

Foundation

I have used this for years, and I always come back to it because it has light-buildable coverage and it doesn't look like you've covered up your skin. For example, my current foundation is being discontinued, so I am falling in love with Luminous Silk all over again. If you do want to try it, definitely get matched in person because the shade numbers are misleading.

Concealers

As we talked about in this video, one needs several concealers. Okay...maybe not needs, but concealer is my #1 favorite makeup product, so for me that's not an exaggeration. Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer is the one I use most often, for brightening my face.

Blush/Bronzer

Any blush or bronzer you choose from Nars' line of makeup artist-favorites will give you amazing color payoff, last forever, and make you feel like a goddess. My favorites are Sex Appeal blush and Laguna bronzer.

Mascara

I've recently gone down the rabbit hole of mascaras. I'll spare you the *thrilling* details, but this is the best. And I'm sticking to it. Favorite color = blackest black.

Lipstick/Gloss

via GIPHY

This pains me, but I'm still searching. My favorite lipstick/lip gloss hybrid, NARS Chelsea Girls Lip Lacquer, was discontinued. I have the new gloss, but it's just not the same. #FirstWorldProblems

Setting Spray

Most of the time, I skip powder and shower in this after finishing my makeup. It does the trick and I haven't found anything better.

***

By the way, welcome back, and thanks for reading after my little hiatus. My hip is healing really well, and we survived the move to Alexandria, VA.  Please continue to follow along here, as well as Facebook and Instagram @ElectraLane. See you soon!

Image credits: Sephora.com, Target.com and Google Images

Color Pops

So Saint Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and you decide to incorporate some green into your makeup.  You do a Google search and find lots of really cool ideas if you were gong to the club, but you're going to the office or to a play date and you don't want to scare anyone. Let me introduce you to what I'll call the "color safe" zones.

The outer corner of your eye and the bottom lash line are both relatively innocuous areas where you can add subtle pops of color while keeping the rest of your makeup neutral.  Obviously, if you're going for neon or very intense colors some adjustments might need to be made, but you'd be surprised what you can get away with in these color safe zones.

Better still, no special equipment is needed.  All you need is a small, clean brush and a colorful eye shadow...I'm using Humid by MAC and a plain, old eye shadow brush.

Under Eye Pop of Color

Simply line your bottom lashes with a colorful eye shadow while doing a typical lighter color shadow on the lid and a mid-tone shadow in the crease.  Even if you don't regularly wear eye liner, you might want to at least apply a darker liner at the upper lash line for balance.

You can absolutely use an eyeliner, but the reason I like using a shadow is because powders are less inclined to run.

Outer Corner Pop of Color

Starting with a typical lighter-on-the-lid-darker-in-the-crease eye shadow look again, take a small brush, fill it up with your color of choice, and place it on the outer corner. Next, sweep inward and down forming a right triangle (strait edge is the outside of your eye and the point is towards your inner corner) so the color diffuses about 1/3 of the way in.

You can do both techniques separately or even at the same time (pictured below) - and if you want color on top and bottom, don't be afraid to try two different, complementary colors.

~~~~~~~~

Whether or not you're celebrating tomorrow's holiday, I do hope you'll give some color a try.  Even if it's subtle, it will make you feel adventurous - and that's one of the best things about makeup!  Keep in touch @ElectraLane on Instagram and Snapchat, and I'll meet you back here next week to share my favorite makeup and skincare splurges.

Trick or Treat (Yo Self)

This weekend is HALLOWEEEEEEEN! As noted last year, I'm not the type who gets all fancy with the makeups on Halloween - some glitter and fake lashes make me happy.  I love Halloween because it's the official start of the Holiday Season, and I couldn't be more excited.

This year, I'll be a ballerina princess for two reasons: 1) who needs an excuse to dress up like a ballerina princess? and 2) I've been working with an amazing organization, called The Tutu Project, that helps men and women offset the costs associated with fighting breast cancer that aren't covered by insurance.  What's so remarkable about this organization is that one of the co-founders is still undergoing breast cancer treatment herself.  Check out the website and, if you feel compelled to donate (even $1 helps!), you can do that HERE.

And to see the ballerina princess makeup, be sure to follow me on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, all under ElectraLane!

So on to the tricks...

While I may not get all into Halloween glam, here are some videos showing those who do:

1. Kandee Johnson's Edward Scissorhands, Marilyn Monroe Painting, and all of her Everyday Disney Princesses are incredible inspirations, as well as her ideas for kids' costumes
2. Byrdie.com rounded up three lovely tutorials by MAC makeup artists
3. My favorite looks are those from makeup artist Shonagh Scott's #HappilyNeverAfter series.  You can follow her on Insta @ShowMeMakeup.

Finally, you should treat yourself to the new NARS Audacious Mascara.  It's the best mascara ever.  While in NYC, I stopped by the NARS store to pick up a tube, but they were sold out (because it's that good).  So the lady gave me a sample tube.

And it's mind-blowing.  You can see a demo HERE.

It's super black.  It coats every. single. lash.  It doesn't flake.  My lashes are still soft.  It's buildable without getting gunk-y or clumpy.  It's incredibly lengthening.  And, this is really important, when you're ready to remove it, it slides right off.  Perfection.

I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!

Wayne Goss

One thing that the best makeup artists have in common is that they tell you all of their secrets.  And they're happy to do it.  I think many people keep knowledge to themselves in fear that someone will upstage them, but the best artists know that what you send out you usually receive tenfold.  Think: Kevyn Aucoin. Enter Wayne Goss.  He's a brilliant makeup artist who plays by his own rules and makes makeup approachable.  I found his YouTube channel some time ago, and he never ceases to provide excellent content.  Please check out both of his channels, GossMakeupArtist and GossMakeupChat, for a real education.

Here are my top three favorite videos:

1. Celebrity Makeup Tips

2. Smokey Eye for Hooded Lids

3. Makeup Mistakes

Photo Credit: Google Images