Mary Asks:

What are the basic makeup products to buy which are economical & not expensive to start off.

This is the continuation of the basic makeup post series that I started some time back. The first post was on Basic Foundation Guide Here comes the Basic Blush Guide: Powder Blushers: These are the most common types of blushers that are available in the market. In fact my love for blushes started when my mom gifted me my first colorbar powder blush- Cosmic Rose. They are easy to blend and control. Powder blushes suit almost all skin types.

My favourite powder blushes: Colorbar blushes and especially Cinnabar and Peachy Rose are the ones that I use the most. Liking the NYX blush a lot and have a little liking for the Bourjois Blush as well. Some people also rave about the blushes from Lakme’s Bridal Sutra’s range. Want to try NARS Orgasm, Benefit Sugerbomb and MAC blushes. Revlon’s Beyond Natural Range is liked by a lot of people. Some of friends also love Pure Rogue Blusher by Lakme

Application: Powder blushes are best applied when you have done your foundation and powder base. If you think you have gone overboard with your blushes, apply some loose powder on top of your blush and you are set.

Cream Blushes: These kind of blushes just glide on your skin and blend on your cheeks as if the natural flush on your cheeks was always there.For me these are the best if you are looking for a natural day time finish on your cheeks. The creamy texture makes it ideal for dry and mature skin.

My Favourite cream blush: Inglot Cream Blush. Want to try MAC and NYX cream blushes as well. I wish Colorbar comes up with its range of cream blushes. Revlon also has its range of cream blushes.

Application: Dot a small amount of cream blush on your cheek bones/ apples of your cheeks either with a q-tip or fingers and blend upward and outward in a circular motion.Apply it over foundation but before powder.

Gel Blushes: They offer a very sheer finish and are great if you are looking for just a hint of glow on your cheeks. The pigmentation of these type of blushes in pretty strong so wash your fingers after you have applied it.

Recommendations: Last year MAC had a gel blush called Just a Pinch but I think it is not available now. Clinique has gel blush in its range.

Application: Should be applied after you have done your foundation. these can be used on bare skin as well.

Tint Blushes: These are sheer and long lasting.  They tend to dry very quicklyour application must be quick. Dot the blusher with your singertips and apply in upward and outward circular motion.

My favourite tint: The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Tint in 02 Bronze. Although it says that it can be applied on lips as well but in my opinion, it sucks when applied on lips. The watery base evaporates after a while and you are left with chunk of bronzy shimmer on you lips. It looks pretty ugly that ways. However the same tint makes a beautiful highlight on the cheeks. I mostly use it as a highlighter when I need a little oomph on my cheeks, especially during the evenings. You may check out my blush tutorial where I have shown its application. Atlest 5 people have recommended me Lakme’s lip and cheek tint as well. Damn! I so want to try Benetint.

Application: These dry petty quickly so blend them quickly in upward and outward circular motion. They are best applied either with cosmetic sponges or with fingers. Also when you are using tint blushes, apply tiny dots on your face, blend them quickly and if you need more colour on your cheeks, just repeat the process.

Highlighting Sticks: I remember my mom used to have the rouge sticks in rose and golden shades that she use to carry with her every where. I haven’t seen them in Indian markets now . But I know that NARS multiple highlighting sticks are one of the cult favourites.

Application: Apply the stick directly on your cheeks and blend it upward and outward. The highlighting sticks really accentuate your cheek bones and give you a sculpted look.

Shimmer and  Glitter Powders/ Beads: All those who have Colorbar’s Trace Gold blush, please raise your hand. The shimmer powders come in a variety of formats. These kind of blushes are mainly used to accentuate your cheekbones, brow bones, Cupid’s bow etc. These are excellent for evening but I mostly stay away from them during the day time. I was on the verge of buying The Body Shop Shimmer beads. I loved the texture and finish of the product when the MA applied it on my cheeks but them I remembered that I already have enough to finish up. So I had to resist hard from buying them.

Application: Can be applied with a blusher brush. Just swirl your brush on the product and apply it on the areas that need you want to highlight.

Mineral Blushes: If you are skeptical about using too much cosmetic chemicals on your face and want a safer option, then the mineral blushes are your best friend. They are  mostly in powder form and can be applied with regular blush brush.Best for people with normal to dry skin. The Body Shop and Beyu Cosmetics have a range of mineral blushes and MAC has a range in Mineralized skinfinish.

Mousse Blushes: These are oil free blushes with air whipped formula. The start off as cream but finish like a powder. They are best for oily skin. People have love and hate relationship with Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

Some Quick tips for blush application:

• Always start with a little colour and then gradually build up. Moderation is essential.
• While the shade of the blusher you choose is generally determined by your skin colour but a swipe of dusky pink colour on cheeks can warm up any tired looking skin.
• If you have been heavy handed with a powder blush, you may tone down the colour by applying a little loose powder on the top. If you have been heavy handed with a cream blush, you may blot the colour with a tissue. The stains of gel and tint blush can only be corrected by washing them off with water.
• To make your blush last longer on your cheeks, smooth a little bream blush on your cheeks and apply powder blush on the top. Until I bought the cream blush, I used to apply lipstick underneath my powder blush and it used to work well for me.

Coming up:

• Basic Eye makeup Guide
• Basic Lipstick Guide
• Basic Concealer Guide
• Basic Makeup Tools Guide

So stay tuned.

So what are your favourite blushes?

Images taken from Lakme, Revlon, TBS, Maybelline, NARS and MAC website

A few days back Piya asked, “How to apply eyeshadow?”

For me that’s a pretty broad question. I was a newbie myself until last year and it was pretty difficult for me to understand the basic terminologies of eye makeup. In fact, I am still learning today also and perfecting my art. Eye makeup is tricky, isn’t it?

So I thought I would start a series kind of a thing from all my learnings and it might prove to be useful to some of the people who are just starting with makeup.

This is the basic eye chart (click to enlarge) that I have prepared. If there is some error or confusion just let me know. I’ll correct it.

How to use this chart?

If possible take out a print of this chart and take a look at your eye in the mirror. Gently touch every part of your eye with your finger and recognize what it is called what in the makeup world.

We will talk more about eyeshadows, brushes, colours and lots of other things in my coming posts. But as of now, let’s just deal with the very basic stuff.

Ciao.