Dezcourse

Okay, y’all, let’s talk about makeup. The kind that actually sticks around from your first cup of coffee to your late-night Netflix binge. No one wants to look in the mirror and realize their foundation’s taken a vacation halfway through the day. Trust me, I’ve been there. Spoiler alert: I used to be that person whose makeup was basically gone by 3 PM. So yeah, this post is all about essential makeup tips that’ll have you looking fresh as a daisy all day long.

Skin Prep: The Underrated Hero

Listen, you can have all the high-end makeup in the world, but if your skin’s not prepped properly? Forget it. Your makeup’s gonna slide right off your face. Anyway, here’s the kicker: proper prep isn’t just about throwing on some moisturizer. It’s a whole vibe.

Cleanse and Moisturize Like You Mean It

I learned the hard way. You gotta cleanse before you do ANYTHING. No, a quick splash of water won’t cut it. I’m talking a gentle, soothing cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin. And then… moisturize. Yes, even if you have oily skin. Especially if you have oily skin. Trust me on this.

When I first started getting into essential makeup, I skipped this step. The result? My face was a greasy, cracked mess by lunchtime. So now I slather on a light moisturizer, and my makeup stays in place. Magic.

Priming: Not Just for Cars

A primer is your best friend, y’all. Seriously. My primer is probably the most reliable thing in my life right now (besides my cat, who is also a bit too obsessed with me).

Here’s the deal: a good primer is what keeps everything from sliding off your face at the worst possible moment. If you’ve got oily skin like me, go for something mattifying. Dry skin? Hydrating primers are your jam. Get that stuff all over your face, especially in the T-zone where things get…uh…‘glowy’ (read: oily).

Foundation: The Base of Your Makeup Masterpiece

Now that your skin’s ready to go, it’s time to lay the foundation. Ha, get it? But seriously, if you’ve been using foundation that’s way too light or dark, stop right now. My first foundation was so orange I looked like an Oompa Loompa. And let me tell you, that’s not the vibe.

Find Your Foundation Match

Finding the right shade? Not as hard as it seems, but I’ve had to test a lot of colors over the years. Here’s my tip: swatch foundation along your jawline. Don’t be the person who tests on your wrist, okay? You’ll end up with a weird streak of color that doesn’t match anything.

A pro move? Go for long-lasting formulas. I’m talking foundations that won’t quit on you after two hours. Those are the real essential makeup heroes.

Concealer: Hide the Evidence

The first time I tried concealer under my eyes, I ended up looking like I’d been in a fight with a bag of flour. It was a disaster. Now? I’m a pro.

For dark circles, go for a concealer that’s a shade lighter than your skin tone. Pat it in with a sponge. Tap, tap, tap. Don’t rub it in, or you’ll make it worse. Trust me.

Eye Makeup: Let’s Talk Drama

Okay, now that your base is set, it’s time to move onto the eyes. Here’s a little secret: I always start with eyeshadow, even if I’m going for a natural look. I mean, who doesn’t love a good pop of color?

Eyeshadow: Blend Like Your Life Depends on It

If you’re not blending your eyeshadow, what are you even doing? No judgment, but I learned this the hard way too. You don’t need 50 shades of eyeshadow to look great. You need to blend the ones you’ve got, baby.

Start with a neutral base color all over your lid. Then, take a darker shade for the crease to create depth. Don’t forget to blend like you’re smoothing out a wrinkle in a pair of jeans—firm, but gentle.

Eyeliner: Precision, Baby

I’m the queen of smudged eyeliner. I used to think it was “chic” when my eyeliner turned into a raccoon look. Spoiler: It’s not.

Now I use gel eyeliner for precision. You can get those perfect, sharp lines that last all day. I was that person who couldn’t wing an eyeliner to save my life. But now? I can do it in my sleep. Ok, maybe not in my sleep, but you get the point.

Mascara: The Lash Lift You Need

Mascara is like coffee—it opens everything up. Curl your lashes first. Seriously. It’ll make a huge difference. Then, go ahead with a coat or two of your favorite volumizing mascara. Waterproof versions are your friend. You know, for when life gets a little teary-eyed.

Sculpting the Face: Add Some Shape

So you’ve got the base, the eyes… now let’s add some shape. A good contour can totally transform your face. And by contour, I mean something subtle—no Kardashian-level chiseled cheekbones needed.

Contour: The Subtle Art

Here’s a pro tip: Don’t overdo it. I learned this the hard way when I thought I was blending a contour and ended up looking like a Picasso painting. (My friends were kind about it, but I could tell.)

Use a contour powder or stick that’s just a shade or two darker than your skin. Focus on the hollows of your cheeks, under your jawline, and down the sides of your nose. Blend until you feel like you’ve disappeared into a soft haze of gorgeousness.

Blush and Highlighter: Glow Up

Blush is a game-changer, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I remember the first time I swiped blush on and realized I looked alive. It’s a feeling, y’all.

Highlighter? Don’t even get me started. I’ve been that girl who looked like a glitter bomb exploded all over my face. But now? Subtle. Elegant. Just a little glow on my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose, and maybe a touch on my cupid’s bow. That’s all you need.

Setting Everything in Place

Look, makeup doesn’t stay in place on its own. I don’t care how high-end your products are—if you don’t set your makeup, you’re playing a dangerous game.

Setting Powder: The Unsung Hero

This is where essential makeup really shows up. A light dusting of translucent powder sets everything in place. Focus on areas where things tend to move around—like your T-zone. For the love of God, don’t go overboard. We don’t need a floury finish. Just a touch to keep things locked in.

Setting Spray: Mist Your Life Away

Once everything is on, spritz with a setting spray. Honestly, this step changed my life. It’s like a magic potion that locks everything into place and gives you that dewy glow without looking like you’ve been dipped in oil. My favorite setting spray is from a local beauty shop down the street—small business, big results.

The Final Touch: Fixing Mistakes

We’ve all made mistakes. You know, like when you accidentally put way too much bronzer on or when your eyeliner looks like you’ve been through a wind tunnel. Here’s the trick: don’t panic.

I’ve been known to fix a smudged mascara by swiping a Q-tip across it. Works every time. Also, I once used a tissue to fix a foundation mistake mid-day, like a true makeup warrior.

Wrapping It Up

Okay, folks, that’s my rundown of essential makeup tips to keep your face looking fresh from sunup to sundown. I can’t promise you’ll never have a makeup mishap (because, let’s be real, I’ve had my share), but if you follow these tips, you’ll definitely have a better shot at the flawless look that’ll turn heads—no touch-ups required.

So, tell me—what’s your biggest makeup struggle? Let me know in the comments, and we’ll figure it out together!