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PRE-MAKEUP
1. The first, unbreakable rule of applying makeup is to start with clean hands. Wash your hands with soap, or sanitize with the likes of this Dot and Key lavender and peppermint hand sanitiser - ₹395
2. Every artist needs a clean canvas to work with. Take a few drops of a cleanser like the bestselling Garnier Micellar Water on a cotton pad, and run it over your face to cleanse and remove any traces of old makeup. Use Q-tips with micellar water to clean delicate, hard to reach spots like around your eyes - ₹131
3. If you want SUPER smooth skin, so the makeup glides right over, dermaplane away the tiny hairs on your face (not daily, but as and when needed) with a dermaplaner. Ideally do this a few hours or even a whole day before applying makeup - ₹512
4. Add spot patches to pimples if your skin has gone rogue and had a zit that deserves it's own name. You can wear makeup over it - ₹299
5. Moisturize your face with a light, non-greasy moisturizer (₹209). Apply lip balm (₹108) and let it marinate and soften your lips while you apply makeup.
MAKEUP APPLICATION
7. A favourite tool of makeup artists is a silicone makeup brush cleaner (₹199), which easily and thoroughly cleans your brushes. Wash the brush with water, add baby shampoo (₹142) to the grooves of the cleaner and run the brush over it to remove residue.
8. A big part of makeup application is correcting as you go along. Keep copius amounts of three types of wipes handy for corrections: Q-tips, plain facial tissues and makeup wipes. Also keep an oil-based cleanser and cellotape at hand.
9. If you're in a pinch (say, using the same brush for two different products and don't have time to wash and dry the brush), use brush cleaner, which is kind of like dry shampoo for makeup brushes. Note that this is a stop-gap, not a substitute for actually washing your brushes regularly.
10. In addition to your set of basic makeup brushes, every true makeup addict has extras, like a beauty blender and an oval brush for foundation, as well as some fun looking vanity brushes like these jazzy fish brushes.
11. They say that if your eyes are the window to your soul, your brows are the frame (by "they" I mean "me"). To learn how to get the perfect brows, along with steps check out our post: 17 Products And Steps For Your Best Eyebrows Ever.
12. Instead of using kajal only on the lower lash line, tight-line your upper waterline as well, with Lakmé Eyeconic Kajal in deep black - ₹143
13. An eyeshadow base or eyeshadow primer helps the product latch on well and stay in place longer, making it a worthy investment - ₹306
14. A universally flattering eyeshadow look is to go from light shades to dark shades as you go from the inner corner towards the outer corner of your eye. Keep it shimmery on the centre of the lid but matte on the crease and outer corners. Maybelline has several excellent, affordable eyeshadow palettes - from ₹543
15. Line the top of your lids with a long-lasting eyeliner that doesn't budge, get this Sugar Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner . You can do a think or thick, basic or winged liner, and even experiment with abstract looks - ₹899
16. Every makeup addict needs to be atop the latest trends, and eye makeup is going through a revolution right now. Check out our post 14 Hot Eye Makeup Trends And Products To Take You Into 2020
17. If you're super-duper extra by nature, add some glitter to your lids for that Euphoria drama - ₹466
18. Curl your eyelashes well with this bestselling and affordable Vega eye lash curler - ₹181
19. After curling your lashes, apply mascara. Begin by running the wand over a clean tissue to remove excess. Start at the base of the lashes and wiggle your way to the tip. Remove any clumping with a spoolie brush, and clean any residue with Q-Tips.
20. Glue on falsies (false lashes) for a very-on trend look. The most flattering lashes are either even throughout, or are longer towards the outer corner of the eye, which makes the eyes look "lifted."
21. Choose the right shade of concealer to conceal pigmentation and blemishes.
22. A lesser known trick is to spot-correct any redness with a green corrector - ₹260
23. Choose the right foundation for your skin tone. Pick one that's half a shade lighter as foundations tend to oxidise so the colour will settle into your skin.
24. Apply highlighter to your cheekbones and high points of your face where the light hits.
25. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, right below where you would highlight.
26. Finally contour areas of your face you'd like to push in to create a sculpted look.
27. Finish with a great lipcolour in a shade that suits the look. The preferred favourite texture of make addicts right now is liquid matte.
28. If you want to switch up your classic lippie for something trendy, you're in luck, because you're spoilt for choice given current trends. Find a look you love with our post 11 Lip Makeup Trends For 2020.
POST-MAKEUP FINISHING TOUCHES
29. Use the translucent Maybelline Master Face Studio Setting Powder- ₹472 to set your concealer and foundation.
30. Spritz fixing spray to mattify makeup and keep it in place. MAC Fix Plus (₹1800) and Swiss Beauty Makeup Fixer (₹138) are both great options at different price points.
31. Invest in a good hairstyling tool like the RYLAN Hair Electric Comb Brush (₹549) or this Philips Styling Kit (₹1,845) that'll help pull your whole look together.
32. Finally, take good care of your products like the conscious makeup consumer you are. Get this 360-degrees rotating makeup organizer to decoratively display all your beloved products, and keep them easy to access - ₹719
