Achieving the perfect makeup doesn’t need to be a time consuming necessity or a complicated ritual! It should be simple and easy. We asked Owner and Creator of ELES Cosmetics, Liane Scior her handy makeup tips and tricks that’ll turn makeup application from frustrating to fun!

Whether you’re wondering how to cover up those pesky pimples without further inflaming them or preventing your concealer accentuating your lines, Liane has the answer. And what’s better if the questions that have been playing on your mind aren’t answered below you can email the experts at ELES Cosmetics and they will personally get back to you with an answer.

MAKEUP TIPS

FACE

Eliminate dark circles

The best way to conceal dark circles is with an under eye corrector with a “peachy” tone to counteract the blueish tinge of the shadows.  By using a good corrector and a lightweight concealer you’ll have the cover you need without a thick mask that falls into fine lines and looks cakey. Try Dual Action Concealer

Conceal redness/broken capillaries

Green correctors used to be the best solution for concealing redness, however they can make the skin look flat and lifeless.  CC Creams (colour correction) with photo-optic filters will help reflect back light on the skin greatly reducing skin redness and the dark red of broken capillaries. Try Luminous CC Cream 20

Cover up pimples without irritation

For pimples, an antibacterial concealer followed by a mineral foundation powder is ideal. Oil free and non-comedogenic cover ups are best and many now have skin enhancing benefits to sooth inflammation.  Avoid mineral oil, lanolin and talc based products which tend to block the pores and exacerbate the acne. Try Photo Touch Concealer & Mineral Powder Foundation

Conceal not accentuate fine lines

There is a very fine line (pardon the pun) between over-preparing the skin and causing the product to slip off and under-preparing the skin and causing it to absorb into the skin.  The area should be well hydrated without being greasy so a good eye cream around the eyes and a hydrating concentrate will help prepare the skin for makeup.  Allow time for the product to absorb and settle. The key is not to apply too much product, keep every layer fine and light and you’ll have a more natural and lasting result to your makeup.

Create the perfect base

Foundation is what makes your skin appear flawless but it’s important to master not only the right shade, but the look you want (matte versus dewy) and the coverage. If you want lighter coverage then opt for a tinted moisturiser, but if it’s more coverage you’re after then liquid foundation is the answer. Try Mineral Sheer Tint or HD Luminous Foundation

Bonus tip: Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want sheer coverage and a brush or sponge for medium to full coverage.

Fake your cheekbones

Sadly we aren’t all born with striking cheekbones but we can all fake it! All it takes is some simple sculpting. Start by puckering to find the hollows of your cheeks and apply a deep nude blush or contour powder in the sunken area under your cheekbones. Next, apply a peachy blush starting from the apples of your cheeks and moving outwards while lightly blending. Finish by applying illuminator along the top of your cheekbones and under your temples. Try Baked Blush & Liquid Illuminator

EYES

Brighten eyes

Make eyes brighter with white.  A small dot of white shadow on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter. Try Mineral Shadow in Opal

Define eyes

Eyeliner can make or break a perfect makeup.  Wearing eyeliner inside the eye rim can look striking and make the eyes stand out, but avoid this if you have small or very deep set eyes.

The role of eyeliner is to make the lashes look thicker so the line can be thicker on the top lash line, create a small “peak” in the outer corners of the eye to give the illusion of an almond shaped eye. Try Powderliner Pencil

Bonus tip: Plums and eggplant shades make the eye whites look whiter

Select the eye shadow shade for you

Choose shadows that make the colour of your eyes stand out. Blue and Grey tones enhance brown eyes, plums are great for green eyes and browns make blue eyes sparkle.  Don’t be afraid to try different colours but remember the eyeshades should enhance your eyes not take over completely. Try Mineral Matte Shadows

Transform eye lashes

Still searching for the perfect volumizing mascara? Don’t stress. Simply apply a layer of your mascara to your lashes then dust them with powder (loose powder, translucent or even baby!) before applying a final coat of mascara. The result? Thick, gorgeous lashes.

Bonus tip: Sweep the wand through the roots of your lashes and zigzag as you work your way up. This will create added length.

Simple Smokey Eye

Who doesn’t love a smokey eye? While a lot of smokey eye looks require several different shades of eyeshadow and a whole lot of blending, there is a fast and easy alternative. Simply use an eye pencil to draw a slanted hashtag above the outer corners of your eyes and blend with the smudger end of the pencil. The result: Instant smokey eye every time. Try Powderliner Pencil

LIPS

Soften “smoker’s lines” and prevent product seeping into the cracks

Apply a lip balm before applying the rest of your makeup, this will give the area time to absorb the moisture and plump out the fine lines around the lips, then, when it comes time to apply lipstick, blot the excess away.  Follow with a lip primer all over the lips and beyond the lip border.  Fill in the lips using a lip pencil in desired colour and apply lipstick to the centre of the lips only.

Lipstick shades for you

Lipstick should complement your skin tones, cool skin tones should wear cooler colours such as plum, rose and burgundy and warm skin tones look better in terracotta, orange and vibrant reds.  Remember, if your eye makeup is prominent, keep the lips soft and neutral, and if you want to wear strong lip colour, soften the eye makeup or opt for a simple liner/mascara look. Try Moisture Crème Lipstick

Bonus tip: You are never too old for wet lips!  A small amount gloss on the center of the lips makes them look plump and youthful.  Keep your Lip gloss with you to freshen up your makeup through the day.

Make lipstick last longer

Let’s face it lipstick never seems to last the distance. After applying your lippy, place a tissue over your lips and dust on some translucent powder. Doing so will help set your colour and make it instantly longer-lasting.

Bonus tip: For long-lasting vibrant colour from AM to PM try the NEW ELES Lip Stains. They will last through coffee, cakes and kisses. Seriously.

Fuller lips

Lipliner is used to define the look of your lips but it can also create the illusion of instantly bigger and plumper lips. Apply before lipstick or gloss and use either a neutral shade or match the shade of your lipstick. Therefore if the lipstick fades, you don’t walk around with only the outline showing.

Begin by applying a fine line just outside your natural lip line starting from the center of the lips and working out to the corners, keep it light and fine. Try Longwear Lipliner

Bonus tip: Powdering the line will make it last longer.

EYE BROWS

Shape your brows

Adding definition and shape to your eyebrows can completely transform your face. Shaping your brows needn’t be difficult. Start by brushing your eyebrows so the hairs are sitting naturally. Then, use a soft, waxy brow pencil to shape the outside of your brow. Fill in your brows using short, hair-like strokes. Finally, blend some highlighter just below your brow bone for lift. Try Brow blender Pencil

Bonus tip: Use a brow stencil to create perfectly even and arched brows every time!