Makeup

Makeup: Types and Must-Have Essentials
Going through a proper makeup routine requires the use of several products. With over twenty types of makeup types in the market, it is hard, especially for a person learning about the products for the first time to know which is which. In this article, we give a short description of some of the most popular makeup types and must-have products.
Makeup Types
Face Primer
After moisturizing and exfoliating your face, the next step is the application of your favorite makeup, which includes foundation. Before applying your foundation, it is advisable to use a face primer first to hide facial imperfections such as pores. A primer hides the appearance of pores and spots to make your foundation application more manageable and smoother.

A primer also helps to prolong makeup on your face. Primers come in the form of gels, powders, and creams. They also come as water-based or silicone-based and in different variations that include non-comedogenic, mattifying, and tinted. Whatever face primer you choose, you should first know your skin conditions, which include tone and type.
Concealer
A concealer, just like a primer, helps to conceal skin imperfections that include marks, blemishes, acne marks, black spots, and anti-aging signs such as fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike the primer, a concealer is much thicker and heavily pigmented. Concealers come in different shades that you choose depending on your skin type and tone.

They come in different categories that include liquid concealers, cream concealers, stick concealers, and cream to powder concealers. If you have more than one problem area on your skin, you may need more than one type of concealer. A concealer, which you apply as a base to your foundation, should be a shade lighter to ensure you get a uniform skin tone.
Foundation
Foundation is probably one of the most popular makeup products to use on your skin as it forms the base for your makeup application. After moisturizing the face and using a primer, the next product is the foundation that helps to keep your makeup in place. A foundation also helps to achieve a clearer and even color uniform.

While a primer hides spots, blemishes, and other skin imperfections, a foundation helps to stick firmly to avoid any running or streaking. Foundations come in liquids, powders or creams, and different shades. Foundation names and shades vary from brand to the next. Before choosing the right foundation, you should ensure that you know your skin tone to avoid buying a shade that does not look natural on your skin.

Foundations also come with different coverage options that include full coverage, medium coverage, light coverage, light to medium, or medium to full coverage. They also come either as sheer with little pigmentation or as light with slightly more pigmentation. You can use your fingers, brushes, or sponges for foundation application.
Face powder
Powder comes in many forms that include loose powder, setting powder, finishing powder, and pressed powder. The most common of the face powders is the setting powder, which you apply after foundation.

It also acts as the perfect base for other makeup products such as blush and bronzer. Loose powder is the easiest to use, but it does not settle as well as a pressed powder. Finishing powders are not as conventional as the others are.
BB Cream
BB or beauty balm creams are not too old in the western countries market. The popularity of the cream is, however, immense in Asian markets. BB creams are all-in-one makeup products, created to avoid using many makeup products all at once. Instead of starting with a moisturizer, before using a concealer or primer and then a foundation, you simply use a BB cream that has all the properties you require for a smooth look.

The majority of BB creams contain hydrating and moisturizing agents such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, Vitamins A, C, E, and additives from silicone. They contain anti-aging and skin firming agents. You can apply the creams using a brush, sponge, or your fingers. As always, before using a BB cream, you should know your skin texture and tone well to avoid any complications.
 Rouge, blush or blusher, cheek coloring
If you want to make your cheekbones or cheeks look more defined, you use a rouge, blush, or blusher. Cheek coloring blushes come in cream, liquid, or powder. To make application easier, the majority of the blushes come with an application brush, blushes, just like other makeup products come in different shades that match your skin tone and type. Blush or rouge is also one of the last makeup items that you apply after primer, concealer, and foundation.
Contour powder/creams
Contouring is the creation of shadows or illusions on some parts of the face. The places that need contouring most are the jawline, along the nose, and on the forehead using contour powders or creams. The shadows or illusions help to define better facial structures such as higher cheekbones, angular facial looks, and slimmer chin and nose.

For the best results, contour powder or cream should create a matte finish with a shade darker than the skin tone.
Highlight
The only difference between a highlighter and a contour is that the former is ore sparkly and brighter. It comes in liquid, cream, or powder. Highlighters, unlike contours, make some of the facial parts glow and have a more vibrant look.

The best parts to highlight are the corners of the eyes and under the brow bone. You can apply a highlighter either before or after contouring. Highlighters also come in different shades that you buy depending on your skin tone and type.
Mascara
Mascara is a favorite with many women as it helps to enhance the eyelashes. You can use mascara to create different looks with the eyelashes that include darkening, thickening, curling, or lengthening them. It comes in a variety of colors, either in cream, cake, or liquid, with the latter being the most popular.

Some of the mascara formulas also come with waterproof features, and for ease of application, you use wands that come in different makes depending on the look you want to achieve.
Makeup essentials
Many women have the basic makeup essentials that they never leave behind. The products make it easier for them when they want to do some touch-ups on their makeup or to define their looks. The following are some of the must-haves that come in handy for that beautiful look you desire to have every day.
Eye Liner
To make your eyes look more vibrant and defined, you should always have quality eyeliner as one of your makeup essentials. Eyeliners come in liquid, wax, gel, pencil, or powder. The most popular type of eyeliner is the pencil type. Eyeliner pencils come with soft tips and darker shades. People prefer them to other types of eyeliners because they provide you with more precision when defining the lashes.

Liquid eyeliners, on the other hand, are dense and ideal for thicker lines. Gel eyeliner is a cross between the liquid and pencil eyeliner. It is creamy and thick and comes in a jar or pot.
Lipstick
Another must-have makeup essential is the lipstick. It is also one of the most popular makeup essentials that the majority of women use, and it comes with hundreds of options. Lipstick shades are many, and it is improbable not to find a shade that goes well with your skin tone.

They come in different finishes that include glossy, satin, creamy, or matte. The majority of the lipsticks come as sticks though there are liquid ones that you apply with a rollerball or a brush. The primary function of the lipstick is to add texture and tone to the lips.
Blush Brush
If applied with the wrong tool, blush may end up looking awful. It is for this reason why it is essential to invest in a quality blush brush to make your makeup application look flawless and natural.

Ensure that the brush you choose should have bristles that pick the right amount of blush for the perfect look. You also have to remember that there are different kinds of brushes for every makeup type. Blush brushes come as angled, rounded, or tapered.
Tweezers
Investing in a pair of tweezers helps you to make some tasks such as plucking off unruly hair, lash application, or splinter removal easy. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on what you need them to do.
Crease Brush
For the perfect application of eyeshadow into the eyelid creases, you need a crease brush to give you an ideal look. The brush comes with a rounded or pointed tip that fits well into the crease.
Wrapping it up
Makeup does wonders for your complexion, but only if you apply the right products that go well with your skin tone. The beauty industry is one of the most versatile in the market, which makes it sometimes confusing to choose one product from the other. The above must-have makeup products are some of the most popular and the ones that you need to create space for in your routine and bag.