Beauty Lessons I’ve learnt

This time two years ago, if you’d asked me what my beauty routine was, you would have been presented with a very minimal series of products. A contour kit used as an all-over bronzer, a liquid eyeliner (which two years on is still my holy grail), and any mascara from Lancome.

I’ve come a long way since then, or at least I’d like to think so. My vanity is close to bursting with beauty products, and while I don’t always reach for the foundation every morning, I’ve learnt the virtues of how to apply bronzer correctly.

Since I figured I can’t be the only one who made some completely basic beauty blunders, I thought I’d share some of the beauty lessons that I’ve learnt over the last year and a half.

Powder is e-s-s-e-n-t-i-al.
I never understood the importance of powder until I experienced my first Australian summer. Humidity and makeup do not make for fast friends, and having some powder on hand, or at the very least brushing a very good mattifying powder across your t-zone in the morning, is essential. Not to mention that it helps to set down your base and any concealer – just don’t go overboard; it can end up looking a little cake-y otherwise.

Have a strong brow game.
Online, I’ve often seen the following question posed; would you leave the house without your brows done or eyeliner on? Up until about a year ago, I was definitely in the latter camp, but after discovering the Brow Wiz, I’m not quite so sure. I don’t like to go overboard (nobody wants to look like Helga from Hey Arnold!), but filling them in just a little really does make a world of difference, and balances out any heavy eyeliner that you may have going on.

A bronzer is not a base.
I’ve been committing a cardinal beauty sin for so many years – bronzer liberally powdered over my entire face. Granted, I was using it primarily as a base (sans blush or highlighter though; I know!), but that’s not really much of an excuse. These days, I’ve cottoned on to the face that bronzer should be dusted over the points over your face where the sun is most like to hit; think, your temples, nose, jawline, and the outer frame of your face.

Foundation is the secret to a flawless complexion.
It wasn’t until I found the right foundation for me, that I realized what a game changer it was. I’d always thought that I had a pretty even complexion naturally, but a great base goes a long way in attaining that picture perfect and flawless complexion.

All red lipsticks are not created equal.
To me, it always seemed that a red was a red; and for the longest time, I always thought that this was something that only a blonde could wear without looking (or feeling) like a Jessica Rabbit caricature. Now, I seem to collect red lippies like they’re going out of fashion. I’m partial to an orange-based red as it really warms up the skin, but a blue-based red can really make your smile pop as it gives the illusion of even brighter ‘pearly’ whites.

There are no rules.
Perhaps the most important thing that I’ve learnt, is that there are no rules. Fancy a little bit of lilac eyeshadow on a Wednesday? Go for it. Want to wear a red lip every day, even though it’s not party season? Why not. The key is to enhance your natural attributes, and feel comfortable in the skin you’re in.

Given it was just a casual couple of YouTube videos that even got me into makeup, my makeup collection – and makeup skills – have certainly improved (not to mention I’ve picked up the odd beauty trick!). What beauty lessons have you picked up?