It’s time to ditch the makeup wipes – which are terrible for both your skin and the environment – and learn how to remove your makeup properly. This post breaks down how to remove face, lip, and eye makeup like a pro, ensuring your skin is in great condition afterwards.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

Step 1: Get hair out of your face

Begin by getting your hair out of your face by either tying it up or using a skincare headband. The last thing you want is for skincare products to get in your hair while you’re removing makeup. This is also the time to remove any jewellery to ensure it doesn’t get ruined.

Step 2: Use a cleansing balm or oil

The first step of a double cleanse is to use a cleansing balm or cleansing oil to break down any makeup, SPF, dirt, or grease from your skin. These formulas are designed to easily emulsify, lift, and remove any product or oil from your skin, without any irritation. If you’re wearing eye makeup, it’s important to look for formulas that are designed for use around the eyes to avoid any irritation.

To use a cleansing oil, dispense 3-4 pumps of the product into your palms and then massage the oil onto dry skin. Use circular motions with your hands to gently massage the formula into your skin. As you do this, you’ll notice your makeup removing and lifting. Then, use water to emulsify the oil so that it (along with any makeup) easily rinses off your skin. If you’re wearing stubborn makeup, you can repeat this process to lift any lingering makeup.

To use a cleansing balm, take a grape-sized amount of product and massage it onto dry skin. Use circular motions with your hands to gently massage the formula into your skin. As you do this, you’ll notice your makeup removing and lifting. Then, use water to emulsify the balm so that it (along with any makeup) easily rinses off your skin. If there’s still some makeup left on your skin afterwards, you can repeat this process to remove any remaining makeup.

With both cleansing balms or oils, you can also use a damp muslin cloth to remove your makeup. I find this option less messy than using my hands to remove the emulsified makeup.

Product recommendations:

• The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Makeup Cleansing Butter
• iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
• Heimish All Clean Balm

Step 3: Use a dedicated eye makeup remover (optional)

If you find that a cleansing balm or oil didn’t remove all of your eye makeup, you can use a dedicated eye makeup remover. Mascara – especially waterproof formulas – can be particularly stubborn, so this optional step can make it easier to remove.

I personally never find a need to use an eye makeup remover, as cleansing balms or oils do an excellent job, but they can make the process more seamless.

Product recommendations:

• Charlotte Tilbury Take It All Off
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover
• Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips

Step 4: Use a cleansing gel or foam

To remove any residue leftover from your cleansing balm or oil, go in with a sensitive skin-friendly cleansing gel or foam. This is the second step in your double cleansing routine and will ensure your skin is left feeling clean, fresh, soft, and hydrated.

To use a cleansing gel or foam, dispense 2-3 pumps into your palms and apply to damp skin. Use circular motions with your hands to gently work the formula into your skin. Then gently splash water onto your skin to rinse off the formula. If your skin feels tight or dry after using a cleansing gel or goam, that means the formula is too harsh or drying for your skin. Opt for formulas that are hydrating, work for sensitive skin, and don’t “bubble up” too much (as they tend to be quite drying).

Product recommendations:

• Dermatica Balancing Glycerin Gel Cleanser (SARAHAWC2 for 10% off)
• Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam
• KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser 

Step 5: Follow up with your usual skincare routine

After double cleansing, it’s time to follow up with your regular skincare routine, whether that’s applying a toner, serum, moisturiser, facial oil, or SPF (in the daytime). Your makeup should now be thoroughly removed, with your skin left fresh, clean, hydrated, calm, and soft.

The post How to remove makeup properly appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

Although achieving the watercolour blush trend can be deceptively tricky if you don’t follow the right steps. So I asked 3 beauty experts for their top tips on how to achieve the watercolour blush trend and how to make it work for different skin tones.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

What is the watercolour blush trend?

The watercolour blush trend is characterised by a hint of colour with a natural to dewy finish. The edges are feathered, and the placement is diffused rather than concentrated colour on your cheeks.

As Jackie Kim, Co-Founder of The Glow Beauty Shop, a Korean skincare e-commerce store, puts it: “If traditional blush is a bold brushstroke, watercolour blush is a wash- sheer, weightless colour that looks like it lives in your skin. It’s the kind of blush that makes people say, ‘Your skin looks great’, not ‘Nice blush’.”

It’s a barely-there pop of blush that’s wearable and versatile.

How does watercolour blush differ from traditional blush?

Jackie explains that watercolour blush differs from traditional blush as it’s more transparent. “Think tint or stain rather than full-coverage pigment.” The edges should be blended, with the colour fading softly into the surrounding skin with no hard lines.

Watercolour blush placement should be wider and higher. “A gentle sweep across the upper cheekbones (sometimes bridge of nose/temples) instead of a concentrated dot,” Jackie adds.

Importantly, watercolour blush should always prioritise a skin-first finish. Freckles, texture, and glow should still peek through.

How to do watercolour blush

There are several methods to achieve the trending watercolour blush.

Shanna Bynes Bradford, a professional makeup artist and the CEO of Grow Out Oils Clinical Aromatherapy Company, suggests 2 different ways to achieve a soft blended look.

“The first way is using a foundation flat brush and lightly tapping application on the cheekbone and along the side orbital bone. This application will allow a natural look and help the blush absorb completely into the skin for a flawless glow.

“The second method can be done using a sponge applicator and adding a few drops of makeup primer or facial serum to smooth out the texture and colour. This application gives the skin a healthy, hydrated glow and is especially helpful for clients who need a boost of hydration to improve dullness or dry skin.”

Jackie recommends using a light moisturiser or hydrating primer as part of your skin prep before makeup application to give the blush something to glide over. Oily skin should tap translucent powder in shiny areas.

Another way to achieve the watercolour blush trend is by underpainting. “Underpaint, then veil,” Jackie suggests. “Dot blush on bare skin, blend to a haze, then add a sheer skin tint on top for that ‘from within’ look.”

Always work in sheer layers to achieve a watercolour blush. Use 2-3 tiny dots per cheek, blend, and then reassess. Build slowly. Jackie also recommends widening the area where you’re applying the blush for a natural look. “Start high on the cheekbone and diffuse toward the temple; a whisper over the nose ties it together.”

How to adapt the watercolour blush trend to different skin tones and undertones

This blush trend works for all skin tones, depths, and undertones. Although makeup has a theory, there are no barriers to being creative and experimenting with different colours. That being said, if you’re looking for a starting point, the guide below will help you choose a blush colour that will work for your complexion.

Here’s Jackie’s simple guide to selecting a blush shade that will flatter your skin tone.

• Fair, cool/neutral: petal pink, cool rose, soft mauve.
• Fair–light, warm: peach, apricot, soft coral.
• Medium, neutral/olive: warm rose, dusty peach, terracotta-peach.
• Tan–deep, warm: apricot, burnt coral, terracotta, brick.
• Deep–rich, cool/neutral: berry, plum, wine, deep rose (choose translucent formulas to stay vibrant).

Looking for a blush to flatter your undertone? Here’s Shanna’s advice:

• Warm undertones: peachy, yellow, and gold hues look great.
• Cool undertones: red, pink, and blue hues enhance cool-toned skin.
• Neutral undertones: can select a wide variety of hues.

“Go with a rose or berry wash for cool undertones, and use a sheer veil; include a sheered out apricot or peach for warm undertones,” Dr. Eleonora Fedonenko, Medical Director and Dermatologist at Your Laser Skin Care, suggests.

Product recommendations

You can use cream, liquid, and powder formulas to achieve the watercolour blush trend.

Cream blush

Cream blushes typically give a natural, skin-like finish. Although this formula can be used by all skin types, it’s particularly good for more mature, dry, or dull skin types.

Jackie’s picks:

• Fenty Cheeks Out Cream Blush (SARAHSSPH for 15% off) – translucent with a gentle sheen.
• Rose Inc Blush Divine – creamy but sets; great for normal-to-oily.
• MAC Glow Play – bouncy texture that naturally blurs edges.

Liquid blush

Liquid blushes and serum tints provide the easiest watercolour finish, according to Jackie. Again, this formula can be used by all skin types but is particularly good for normal or combination skin. They provide skin with a healthy glow of hydration, Shanna says.

Jackie’s picks:

• Glossier Cloud Paint (SARAHSSPH for 15% off) – gel-cream that thins evenly, resists patchiness.
• Saie Dew Blush – sheer, dewy, forgiving; beginner-friendly.
• NARS Liquid Blush (SARAHSSPH for 15% off) – more pigment; one drop mixed with moisturiser = instant veil.
• Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – ultra-concentrated; sheer out with a damp sponge.

Powder blush

Powder blushes are excellent for combination to oily skin, as they easily absorb excess oil on the cheek while giving the skin “a kiss of sunshine”, Shanna explains. This formula is also great for topping up blush throughout the day without it looking greasy or cakey.

Jackie’s picks:

• Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion (SARAHSSPH for 15% off) – buildable, fine-milled.
• Dior Backstage Rosy Glow – fresh lift; go light with a fluffy brush.
• ColourPop Super Shock Cheek – cushiony hybrid, budget-friendly.

Common mistakes to avoid, and how to fix them

When trying any new makeup look, there’s always a chance it’ll go wrong. Even the best makeup artists make mistakes every now and again. But don’t worry! It’s easy to clean up any mistakes.

One of the most common mistakes when doing the watercolour blush trend is concentrating the blush in one fixed point on the cheeks, which makes the blush look blotchy and unnatural, according to Dr. Fedonenko.

“The fixes include using ultra-thin washes of layering pigment with a damp sponge, moving away from the face and using strokes that follow the soft roundness of the cheekbone, not using pressure at one defined point on the cheek, and using less product.”

Shanna agrees that one of the most common mistakes she sees as an experienced MUA is when the blush application is too heavy and looks like a bruise. This happens when too much product has been applied with not enough blending to soften the look.

The fix? “Add a few drops of serum or primer onto your brush or sponge applicator and gently dab until you see the colour lighten up. Then apply a light translucent powder to set the blush in place.”

Shanna adds that another common mistake is applying blush on top of makeup or on top of dry or dull skin. “The best canvas for makeup or applying blush is a clean face that has been cleansed, moisturised, primed, and ready to go.” This ensures that makeup lasts longer and wears better throughout the day.

If the edges of your blush look too harsh, one quick way to fix this is to buff the edges with your foundation brush (do not add extra product), Jackie recommends. She also says that if your blush looks too dull and not glowy, this is due to too much powder. “Set only where you crease; finish with a hydrating mist”.

The post Beauty experts share their top tips for achieving the watercolour blush trend appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

If it’s hot outside, you’re going to sweat. The truth is, you’re never going to completely stop your makeup from breaking down if you sweat. But with a few tried and tested hacks, there are simple ways to prevent your makeup from sweating off and minimise your face from looking greasy.

We’ve had quite a few heatwaves in the UK recently, so I put together this simple guide that will prevent your makeup from sweating off with some excellent product recommendations that will keep you looking and feeling fresh all day long.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

1. Open the windows and turn on a fan

First things first, if it’s hot outside, it’s probably going to be hot inside. Make your room cool and bearable by opening the windows and turning on a fan or AC. The best way to stop your makeup from sweating off is to prevent sweating in the first place!

2. Go light with skin prep

One of the last things you want to do when prepping your skin for makeup on a hot day is apply lots of products. The more product on your skin, the more product there is to sweat off or break down throughout the day.

Go in with a lightweight serum moisturiser, and SPF. Opt for formulas that are hydrating, absorb quickly, and do not pill. Skip facial oils and any additional skincare products you might normally apply, such as toners, ampoules, and extra serums.

After applying a layer of skincare, wait for the product to fully absorb and dry before applying another layer of product. This prevents products from moving around on your face.

The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh SPF50 (get money off at YesStyle with CONFIDENCE10) is one of the best sunscreens I’ve tried as it doesn’t pill, feel greasy, or leave a white cast.

3. Apply the right primer

After you’ve prepped your skin, apply a gripping primer, which will help your makeup stay put all day. Priming the skin appropriately boosts the longevity of your makeup.

Alternatively, apply a mattifying primer if you like a matte base, as it will prevent excess oil throughout the day, which is great for when the weather is hot.

The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is an excellent, affordable primer that helps your makeup stick in place. After a mattifying primer that still feels comfortable? The Benefit POREfessional Matte Primer is top notch.

4. Less is more

If you apply heavy layers of foundation and concealer, it’s just more product that can end up sweating off your face, which can lead to your makeup looking oily and cakey.

Go in with thin layers of light-coverage foundations and concealers. These will last longer on your skin and won’t look anywhere near as bad if your makeup does start breaking down throughout the day. Lighter base products also allow your skin to breathe, which is a must in warm weather.

I’m obsessed with the flexibility of the YSL Nu Bare Look Skin Tint (15% off at Sephora with SARAHSSPH). It’s buildable, long-wearing, and has a natural finish.

5. Use a setting spray

After you’ve applied your primer, foundation, and concealer, spritz a setting spray over your face. This technique locks in your base products and prevents them from sweating off.

I’ve recently picked up the ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, and it’s excellent at setting makeup.

6. Apply a setting powder

Once your setting spray has dried down, apply a setting powder all over your face, paying particular attention to areas that go greasy, such as cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. Again, thin layers work best. It’s important to opt for a setting powder and not a finishing powder, as a setting powder sets your makeup in place.

The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Fair is my holy grail setting powder. This finely milled powder is light, smoothing, and makes my skin look poreless, all while extending the longevity of makeup.

7. Use cream products

It may seem counterintuitive, but once I’ve applied my primer, foundation, concealer, setting spray, and setting powder, I use cream products thereafter.

In my experience, even though cream bronzers, blushes, and highlighters don’t last as long as their powder counterparts, when they inevitably start to break down on a hot day, they look way better. When powders become oily throughout the day, they can congeal and look really patchy and cakey, which isn’t flattering.

Topping up cream products once they’ve started to break down or wiping off any excess oiliness from cream products is way easier and nowhere near as messy.

The NARS Bronzing Cream (20% off at LookFantastic with LFTFBLOGSARAH) is an excellent, buildable cream bronzer that stays put throughout the day. For an extremely pigmented cream blush where you don’t need to apply much product at all, the iconic Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo is totally worth the hype.

8. Prime eyelids

It’s not just your face you should prime. Using an eyeshadow primer also extends the longevity of your eyeshadows before they begin to crease. If it’s hot, an eyeshadow primer should be an essential for long-wearing eyeshadows, especially if you’ve got oily eyelids.

The MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eye Shadow (20% off at LookFantastic with LFTFBLOGSARAH) is still the GOAT. I wear this primer every time I do my eye makeup without fail, regardless of the outside temperature.

9. Blotting powders or papers

Ultimately, completely stopping makeup from sweating off is impossible. It’s all about prevention and minimising the oiliness of your makeup throughout the day. If you’re out and about and need to touch up some oiliness on your skin, it’s a good idea to have a blotting powder or paper to hand to freshen up your skin.

The Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder (15% off at Sephora with SARAHSSPH) is ideal for touching up your makeup throughout the day. This blotting powder helps to blur and mattify any unwanted shine.

The post How to stop makeup from sweating off appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

This simple step-by-step guide shares how you can prep your skin, in order, before you apply makeup for the best results. These steps make all the difference for healthy-looking skin that ensures your makeup looks amazing.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

1. Cleanse

Begin by cleansing your skin to remove any lingering dirt or excess sebum. If you’ve got dry skin, opt for something hydrating to leave your skin soft, nourished, and smooth. For oily skin, go for something more refreshing or balancing to help regulate sebum production throughout the day. Whatever your skin type, go for a cleanser that’s non-stripping and gentle.

Recommendation: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel (CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off)

2. Exfoliate

Use a chemical exfoliator to remove any dead skin cells, unclog pores, and ensure even and smooth skin. For dry skin, this helps reduce dry patches, which can lead to makeup clinging to uneven texture on your skin. For oily skin, this helps remove any excess oil that can otherwise lead to your makeup breaking down throughout the day.

Recommendation: Maysama ABP11+ Green Rooibos Gentle Resurfacing Toner (SARAH10 for 10% off)

3. Apply eye patches

Put on some hydrating eye patches to keep the skin under your eyes supple, hydrated, and smooth. This can help prevent your concealer from creasing and ensure even application. Although this isn’t an essential step, it can make a big difference.

Recommendation: Dēpology Replenish & Repair Under Eye Patches

4. Use a hydrating or glowy serum

Depending on your skin type and skin goals, you should apply either a hydrating or a glowy serum. Giving your skin extra moisture will ensure smooth and even makeup application, while adding radiance to your skincare routine will help your makeup look dewy and lit from within.

Recommendation: OSKIA Super-C Beauty Capsules

5. Moisturise

Keeping your skin moisturised stops makeup from clinging to any dry patches or uneven skin texture. Without a hydrated base, your base makeup products can end up looking rough, bumpy, or patchy. Even oily skin should moisturise, as your skin can actually produce excess sebum to compensate for a lack of hydration, having the opposite effect than desired.

Recommendation: AXIS-Y Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream (CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off)

6. Wear SPF (during the day)

If you’re applying your makeup during the daytime when UV rays are present, you should apply SPF. Go for a lightweight SPF (preferably SPF50) that doesn’t pill or leave a whitecast, so that makeup will smooth over the top without any issues.

Recommendation: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh (CONFIDENCE10 for up to 5% off)

7. Use a lip balm/treatment

To help any lip products you apply look smooth, plump, and hydrated, using a nourishing lip balm/treatment while you’re doing your makeup is a great tip. You can gently wipe away the lip treatment just before you apply your desired lippie to prevent any formula or pigmentation interference. But nourished lips are the key to ensuring your lip products don’t sink into any fine lines or cling to dry texture on your lips.

Recommendation: Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter

8. Apply a primer

Apply a primer as the first step in your makeup routine. Depending on what your makeup goals are, you could go for a mattifying, gripping, hydrating, or smoothing primer. Try to make sure that if your primer is silicone-based that your foundation is silicone-based too. Likewise, if your primer is water-based, go for a water-based foundation as well. Learn how to tell whether your primer and foundation are water- or silicone-based here.

Recommendation: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

The post How to prep your skin before makeup application: A step-by-step guide appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

You might have heard that mixing a water-based primer with a silicone-based foundation causes your makeup to separate or that mixing a silicone-based primer with a water-based foundation can lead to patchy application.

While you can wear a silicone-based primer with a water-based foundation and vice versa, sometimes formulas don’t work well together, so it can be easier to stick with makeup products with the same base to avoid any issues.

But how do you tell whether a primer or foundation is water- or silicone-based? This blog post will ensure you can easily tell the difference between the 2 formulas. Plus, there are some examples of water- and silicone-based primers and foundations to help inform your next purchase.

* This post contains some affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page **

How to tell if primers and foundations are water- or silicone-based

Identifying water and silicone ingredients

Looking for water in an INCI list is very easy. You simply look for “water” or “aqua”. It’s often the first ingredient listed. And we all know the many benefits of water, most notably hydration in skincare.

Paula’s Choice provides an excellent description of silicones below:

The unique fluid properties of silicone give it a great deal of slip, and in its various forms it can feel like silk on skin, impart emollience, and be a water-binding agent that holds up well, even when skin becomes wet. 

Paula’s Choice

In makeup products, particularly primers, silicones give that silky, slippery texture, which makes it feel like they’re gliding over the skin with a smoothing finish. Many silicone ingredients end in -cone or -xane. Some of the most common silicones include cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, dimethicone, and phenyl trimethicone.

Looking at the INCI lists

INCI lists always start with the most concentrated ingredients at the start and move to the least concentrated ingredients at the end. When looking at the INCI list of a product to determine whether it’s water-based or silicone-based, you need to look at the beginning of the INCI list.

If the INCI list contains water as one of the first few ingredients, and either has no silicone ingredients or features silicone ingredients lower than the INCI list, it’s a water-based product.

If there are one or several silicone ingredients high up the INCI list, it’s a silicone-based product. It’s important to note that silicone-based makeup products may still contain water high up the INCI list, but if there are silicones high up the INCI list as well, it’s still silicone-based.

INCI list examples

Let’s take the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer‘s INCI list below:

water (aqua), butylene glycol, glycerin, peg-150 distearate, niacinamide, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf, melissa officinalis flower/leaf/stem water, mentha piperita, sodium hyaluronate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, menthol, pentylene glycol, propylene glycol, peg-240/hdi copolymer bis-decyltetradeceth-20 ether, peg-40 hydrogenated castor, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylyl glycol, disodium edta, 1,2-hexanediol

As you can see, water is the first ingredient listed, but there are no other silicones mentioned in the INCI list. This means it’s water-based.

But if we look at the Benefit Porefessional Face Primer below:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Limonene, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bht. N?? 04932/N

There are multiple silicones listed at the start of the INCI list, making it silicone-based.

Examples of water- and silicone-based primers and foundations

Below are some examples of popular water- and silicone-based primers and foundations.

The post How to tell if primers and foundations are water- or silicone-based appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

We’ve all had times where our makeup looks cakey. It’s when makeup looks heavy, emphasises skin texture, and appears thick and caked on. It’s not a pretty look. But we’ve all been there.

Cosmopolitan summarises what cakey makeup looks like perfectly:

You might not be able to explain what cakey makeup is per se, but you definitely know it when you see it on your face: the dreaded lines of demarcation, the patchy, textured skin, the pores and fine lines that look more intense and obvious than they really are. 

Cosmopolitan

You might be asking yourself “How do I stop my makeup from being cakey?” Well actually, it’s very easy to fix. This blog post provides crucial tips for ensuring makeup looks smooth and seamless every single time.

* This post contains some affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page **

1. It’s all about the skin

Smooth makeup starts with a good skincare routine. After all, makeup is always going to sit better on an even canvas.

Exfoliate once a week to reduce any uneven texture or pimples. This will help ensure your skin has gotten rid of any dead skin cells and rough patches for a radiant base.

Keeping the skin hydrated is also key. Makeup can look patchy when your skin is dry or dehydrated, as it tries to draw moisture from your makeup. By moisturising your face and under-eyes, makeup will smooth over the top effortlessly. It’ll also keep your makeup looking fresh and dewy.

Of course, make sure you’re cleansing your skin daily to reduce the chance of breakouts by getting rid of any lingering product, oil, makeup, dirt, or grease on your skin. And always remember to wear SPF every single day. This is non-negotiable!

2. Prime, prime, prime

OK, so you’ve nailed your skin prep, and now it’s time to prime. I never used to bother with primers when I was younger. But since using them religiously, I’ve noticed a big difference in the way foundation glides on top of my skin, and how long my makeup lasts.

As the name suggests, primers prime your skin so that it’s ready for makeup. It ensures your base is even, hydrated, and poreless, avoiding the dreaded cakey look!

Choosing the right primer for your skin type is important. If you’ve got oily skin and find makeup breaks up quickly, go for a primer that’s mattifying, pore-filling, and blurring. If you’ve got dry or dehydrated skin and need extra moisture, opt for a primer that’s filled with hydrating ingredients.

I’ve got oily skin, and I like primers that are hydrating and tacky, so that foundation literally sticks on top. I find that these primers work really well for my skin type and help my foundation last all day without breaking up. The e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer is one of my faves.

3. Choose the right foundation

After priming, picking a foundation that works for your skin type is essential.

If you’ve got dry or dehydrated skin and pick a foundation that does not have many hydrating ingredients, you’ll find that your foundation clings to dry patches and emphasises skin texture. This can lead to a cakey look. Pick a foundation that incorporates moisturising ingredients to keep your base nourished.

Likewise, if you’ve got oily skin and opt for a foundation that contains a lot of oils, you might find that this leads to your becoming greasy within a few hours. This can lead to makeup separating, which can look cakey. Try to go for a foundation that’s not overly oily to prevent this from happening. For example, the controversial Jones Road foundation ultimately didn’t agree with my oily skin, as my makeup broke down quicker than usual.

4. Apply makeup in thin layers

The biggest culprit for cakey makeup is applying too much product. You don’t need 3 pumps of foundation for your base to look even and smooth.

Start in thin layers. If you feel you need a bit more product, add a little more gradually. One of my biggest mistakes, when I was younger, was applying multiple pumps of foundation to cover redness and blemishes. Ultimately, this just made my makeup look cakey.

Instead, the solution is to apply a light bit of concealer or colour corrector and then add a thin foundation to even out the base. Let your natural skin peek through, and let your skin breathe. This looks far more natural. You can always go in with a little more product if you feel you need it, but it’s far trickier to remove excess product.

5. Blend, and then blend some more

Be sure to blend your makeup for a seamless finish. Whether you like to use your fingertips, a brush, or a beauty blender, ensure you melt all your makeup into your skin.

I’ve had times where I’ve applied a bit too much foundation and it looks cakey. But it’s nothing a damp beauty blender can’t fix! Simply dab the beauty blender across your skin to remove any excess product for a lighter finish.

6. Set that base

Nobody wants their skin to look like a greasy, sweaty mess by the end of the day. My fellow oily-skinned readers will know this feeling all too well. To prevent your makeup from separating and looking cakey after a few hours, set your base with a setting powder and setting spray.

A top tip I’ve learned is to use a setting spray after doing my primer, foundation, and concealer and then go in with a translucent setting powder to really lock my makeup in place. This has made a huge difference to the longevity of my makeup, as it sets everything in place so that it doesn’t budge.

Oh, and only powder the areas that normally become oily on your skin. This is typically the t-zone. You don’t need a lot of setting powder for it to work either. Again, it’s all about not using too much product.

When using a setting powder, it’s best to apply cream-based makeup products first, then set it with the powder, and then move on to powder-based makeup products after (if using any). This stops makeup from congealing.

The post How do I stop my makeup from being cakey? appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

If you’ve seen the viral TikTok cherry cola lips trend and are desperate to recreate the look, this blog post tells you exactly how.

The lip trend is inspired by cherry cola. It consists of a deep reddish brown lip that’s meant to look like the colour of cherry cola. Lips are supposed to look juicy, glossy, and vibrant. This lip is easy to recreate and works all year round. You only need 2 products!

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

The lip combo

All you need is a deep red or brown lip liner and glossy lip colour. If you go for a redder lip liner, try going for a more brown-toned lip colour. And if your lip liner is brown, try going for a lip shade that’s got more red in it. That way, you’ve got the perfect blend of red and brown.

Getting a shiny lip colour is essential. This makes your lips look fresh, plump, and juicy. And the cherry cola lips trend is all about vivid glossy colour.

Here’s my perfect cherry cola lips combo:

• Vieve Modern Lip Definer in the shade Bark
• Hourglass Cosmetics Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in the shade Lure (15% off at Sephora with SARAHSSPH)

The lip liner is a medium and rich neutral brown shade, while the lip balm is a vibrant and deep reddish brown. This lip combo is perfect for this popular makeup look.

How to do cherry cola lips

This only requires 2 simple steps.

1. Start by lining your lips with the lip liner. You want to draw a fairly thick line and go in with a heavier hand than usual for a rich colour payoff. The lip liner needs to be visible. And having a visible liner colour will help give a gradient effect, which makes the gloss really pop.
2. Then go in with your glossy lip shade. Pack it on for a juicy wet shine.

And that’s it!

Here’s how my lip turned out:

I love this lip combo and think it’s really flattering. Both the Vieve Modern Lip Definer in the shade Bark and Hourglass Cosmetics Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm in the shade Lure are great products.

The lip liner is super pigmented, creamy, and lasts all day. It seriously deserves more hype! The Hourglass lip balm is quite a unique product and sits somewhere in between a gloss and a balm. It’s so comfortable, vibrant, and shiny. I’m obsessed.

Watch how the products apply in my short Insta reel:

What do you think about the cherry cola lips trend?

The post How to do the TikTok-viral cherry cola lips trend appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

Concealers are fantastic makeup products. I use them every time I do my makeup without fail. They help brighten your under-eyes, conceal blemishes and dark spots, remove the appearance of dark circles and redness, and overall contribute to an even complexion.

But concealer creasing under your eyes is really annoying. It emphasises any texture or fine lines you have under your eyes, and once the concealer has set into place, there’s no fixing the creasing. It happens to the best of us. And concealer creasing can happen very quickly.

I’ve been playing around with different tips and tricks to find out how to prevent concealer from creasing. This is from a combination of online hacks and trial and error. After trying numerous tips, the 4 simple steps in this post are absolute musts to stop concealer from creasing under your eyes.

*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*

1. Skin prep

Hydrating the skin under the eyes is a must for a smooth, even canvas. Applying a moisturising eye cream will help ensure the skin is plump, which makes for seamless concealer application. It’s a particular must for drier skin, as it will prevent the concealer from clinging to any dryness, which can result in patchy, uneven application. I notice a difference in the smoothness of my concealer when I wear eye cream.

Sunday Riley Autocorrect is my fave eye cream. Not only is it hydrating, but it’s also the only eye cream I’ve ever tried that genuinely brightens my under eyes and reduces the appearance of dark circles. It means your concealer doesn’t need to work quite as hard!

2. Choose the right concealer

This is easier said than done. Ultimately, finding the right concealer is going to involve a bit of trial and error, as what works for one person might not work for another.

Choosing a concealer that is lightweight, flexible, and buildable is the best place to start. A lightweight concealer isn’t going to become cakey under your eyes. Flexibility is important for getting control over the application. What I mean by flexibility is a concealer that can be manipulated easily for desired coverage. A buildable concealer is also vital, as you don’t want to end up with a patchy concealer that doesn’t layer well. This will only propel the creasing process.

I love the Kosas Revealer Concealer. It offers medium coverage that layers well, is flexible, and feels lightweight. Compared to a lot of other concealers I’ve used, this one is pretty crease-proof too.

3. Build the concealer in layers

Building up the concealer in small, light layers is essential to preventing under-eye creasing. If you apply too much product all in one go, it’ll be difficult to blend. This can result in creasing, as the product will gather into fine lines and cling to texture.

Start by applying a small amount of concealer and building up the product gradually until you get your desired coverage. Concealers by their nature are usually quite thick, so a little bit goes a long way. I normally apply a little dot on the back of my hand, dip a concealer brush into the product, and use a light hand to gently tap the product into place. If I want to apply more product, I can, but I’ve got control.

I prefer using a brush to a beauty blender or sponge. I find it gives me more precision. But choose whatever method works best for you.

4. Set the product with powder

Now you’ve got the concealer applied, it’s time to set it in place with a setting powder. Whether you choose a translucent or coloured setting powder is up to you.

Make sure that there are no creases in your concealer before you set the product with powder. If you spot some small creases, simply blend them away gently with a brush or sponge. Otherwise, you’ll set the creases in place, which is the last thing you want to do.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder is my number 1 under-eye setting powder. The powder doesn’t feel dry or heavy on the skin and keeps makeup in place all day. As long as I’ve taken all of the necessary steps in this post, my concealer won’t crease when I use this setting powder.

What’s your fave concealer? Let me know in the comments below.

The post How to stop concealer from creasing in 4 simple steps appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

How do you wash your makeup brushes? Do you need a special brush cleaner? How often should you clean your brushes? Is it time-consuming to wash your brushes? Should you invest in a makeup brush cleaning mat?

It can be quite confusing to know a) how to wash your makeup brushes and b) what products you should be investing in to get your brushes truly clean.

I see a lot of different products on the market all claiming to get your brushes looking as good as new, be it makeup brush cleaning mats, specific brush cleansers or beauty tips and hacks from bloggers.

This post takes a look at the effectiveness of makeup brush cleaning mats and whether this could be the new holy grail product you’ve been searching for to get your brushes looking brand-new again.

** This post contains some affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page **

My old method

One of my first ever blog posts was on how to clean your makeup tools and I recommended using washing up liquid to get your brushes, as well as beauty blenders, clean.

This is still a totally viable, affordable and valid method. But, it’s a pretty lengthy process as it can take around half an hour to soak brushes that have liquid products, such as foundations, dried into them.

So, I wanted to see if I could find a way to build on this cheap process and make it faster and easier for myself.

The makeup brush cleaning mat

I headed over to Amazon to purchase this makeup brush cleaning mat for £5.99. I’d seen some makeup brush cleaning mats online sell for £20 and couldn’t work out how that price was justifiable. £5.99 seemed far more reasonable and I could hazard a guess that the mats would all essentially do the same job.

The makeup brush cleaning mat is made from silicone and has sucker pads on at the bottom to help it easily stick in your sink.

It has different ridges, grooves and patterns on the mat to help you easily clean your brushes by swirling them across the different patterns. There are also dedicated sections on the mat, such as ‘clean face brushes’ and ‘rinse face brushes’.

In theory, it’s a great idea, but would it actually work?

Using the mat

I stuck the mat in the bathroom sink and decided to use washing up liquid again to help get any product out of my brushes. Using washing up liquid gets your brushes super clean, but is also anti-bacterial, meaning it’s a hygienic method too.

I put the washing up liquid on each brush individually, then wet the brush and the mat under the tap, and swirled away.

IT WAS SO EFFECTIVE.

The brush I found the hardest to get clean previously was my foundation brush. When the foundation dries into a brush, it’s a bastard to get out. But running the brush over the different grooves in the mat helped pull the foundation out with ease.

Another brush that I’d found difficult to get clean in the past was my blusher brush as it would become stained. So, I swirled my brush over the mat, with the washing up liquid in the brush, and again, no problem at all.

Highlighter, concealer and eyeshadow brushes all became clean in no time as well.

All in all, the makeup brush mat allowed me to get my makeup brush collection clean in around 5 minutes, down from 30 minutes before. This saved me a lot of time, effort and also meant my hands weren’t constantly in washing up liquid when I was cleaning the brushes, so my hands weren’t dry afterwards.

Would I recommend a makeup brush cleaning mat?

Absolutely.

It made cleaning my makeup brushes really easy, it was extremely effective and my makeup brushes look brand new again.

Rating: 5 stars

At £6 per mat, this product is an absolute steal and will make cleaning your makeup brushes simple rather than a tedious chore.

How do you clean your makeup brushes? Would you ever invest in a makeup brush cleaning mat?

The post Should you invest in a makeup brush cleaning mat? appeared first on A Woman's Confidence.

Washing your makeup brushes and Beauty Blender is absolutely essential to keep your tools fresh, clean and hygienic. It also means that bacteria doesn’t build up on the old product left in your makeup tools, which can clog up your skin and lead to breakouts.

Another reason to clean your makeup tools is to avoid patchy application. When you use liquid products with a brush, after a few uses, the bristles get matted and stick together, which then means the application isn’t smooth and can look streaky.

I never used to wash my makeup brushes or my Beauty Blender and looking back, that’s pretty gross. I don’t even want to imagine the bacteria that was going onto my skin! It also meant that every time I dipped a brush back into a product, I was then putting bacteria from the brush into the product, leading to a vicious cycle.

Basically, just clean your brushes to avoid problems and keep your tools and face clean.

You don’t even need to do it too often, twice a month is enough. Plus it’s easy and quick, so there are no excuses!

What you need

1. Warm water
2. Fairy Liquid

That’s it! It literally costs a few pounds.

For those of you that think you need a specific cleanser for your brushes or Beauty Blender, you don’t. The anti-bacterial properties of Fairy Liquid make it perfect for cleaning your makeup tools and ensures they’re properly clean. Plus, Fairy liquid is cheap to get so it saves you money.

How to wash your Beauty Blender

For Beauty Blenders, pop your sponge in a microwavable jug with some water and Fairly Liquid. Then, put it in the microwave for one minute on full heat.

Next, take the sponge out (be careful the water is hot) and squeeze out the liquid. If it isn’t clean enough, just repeat the process until the Beauty Blender looks clean.

After that, run the Blender under a tap and keep squeezing until the soapy water has gone.

And that’s it. A nice, clean, new-looking Beauty Blender in 60 seconds. It’s literally the easiest thing to do.

How to clean your makeup brushes

Cleaning your brushes is just as simple as washing your Beauty Blender (yay), but it just takes a little longer.

Start by filling the sink with hot water and Fairy Liquid.

Then pop your brushes into the soapy water. Ideally, you should leave your brushes to soak for 15-30 minutes. But, if you’re impatient like me, you’ll want to get this done quickly, so a few minutes is fine, it’ll just take a bit more rinsing.

After soaking, squeeze your brushes out to get rid of the old product. I find that with my foundation brush, it takes quite a few times to get the product out, so I squirt some Fairy Liquid onto the brush itself and swirl it around for a more direct approach and this always works exceptionally well.

When all the product is out of your brushes and they look clean again, run them under the tap to make sure there’s no soapy residue left.

And that’s it, they’re clean, fresh and hygienic again, which feels so good.

So, cleaning your makeup tools is super easy, fast and inexpensive. I hope this blog post is useful for you all! Let me know how you get on with this method in the comments below!

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