Solve these makeup mishaps

Solve these Makeup Mistakes: Arden Pro Makeup Artist Jamie Petrovic believes makeup should be fun. But learning to apply blush, bold colour and liquid eyeliner can take a little practice. If you make a mistake trying a new colour or product, don’t dismay. Jamie says there are quick solutions to solve any beauty dilemma. Here are her best problem-solving tips.

Dave: How to you tone down eyeshadow that is too bright?

Jamie Petrovic: The best way to tone down a bright eyeshadow shade is to sweep and blend it out with a neutral cream shade or even loose powder over the eyes. This will usually dilute the bright colour and tone it down. Depending on the tone of the bright shade, you can also contour the eyes with another shade at the crease of the eyes to draw attention away from the bright shade.

D: What do you do if you get home and your liquid foundation is too dark? Is there any other way to use it?

J.P.: Whenever possible its best to try before you buy to ensure you have the closest colour match. But, if you find yourself in a situation where you have to make that particular colour work, a great tip is to add some moisturizer to your foundation and mix on the back of your hand to dilute the shade and achieve a more transparent colour. Another fun tip to maximize your dark foundation shade is to use a beauty sponge and dab & blend creating a contoured look around the outer perimeter of the face.

D: How do you fix blush that is too bright?

J.P.: I find the classic ‘loose powder’ or mineral powder foundation are great tools to tone down and soften bright tones, especially when it comes to the cheeks. Brush some powder or mineral powder foundation over the cheek area and blend; this will soften the intensity of the blush.

D: So many followers are sleep deprived and have dark circles under their eyes. What is the easiest way to hide them?

J.P.:This is a popular concern for many woman and men today. Besides makeup, I would start with the skin itself and suggest using an eye treatment product that helps to brighten and treat tired eyes. Once the eyes are hydrated & treated, concealers are an amazing makeup tool to help make the eyes look refreshed. Make sure to choose a shade though that is not too light, the secret is to choose a concealer shade that is close to your skin tone (slightly lighter) for more of a natural look.

D: How do you use liquid eyeliner and get both lines even?

J.P.: The best way is to glide the liquid liner brush right at the root of the lashes where it meets the skin. The lash root will help support the brush and create stability, all you have to do from there is just smoothly glide across and follow your natural eye shape. Be cautious not to place too much pressure on the brush, the key is consistent smooth glide along the lash line. You will be an expert at it in no time!

D: How do you tone down lipstick that is too bold?

J.P.: Some of my favorite methods are to use a neutral/beige lip gloss over the lipstick; this will help neutralize the colour. Blotting your lips on tissue also works to tone down intensity and shine.

D: How do you hide a blemish without making it stand out even more?

J.P.: There is nothing more frustrating than waking up in the morning to discover you have a blemish. Too much makeup can make things worse, so make sure the skin is first cleansed well and treated with an oil-free moisturizer followed by (if you choose) an acne spot treatment to reduce inflammation in the area. Once the skin is prepped and hydrated, choose a liquid foundation followed by placing concealer (skin tone shade) patting on top. We definitely do not want to attract attention to it so I would recommend using a matte (talc free) powder to set on top.

D: How do you even out hyperpigmentation in black skin?

J.P.: Hyperpigmentation is created when there is an overstimulation of melanin being produced and appear as dark patches on the skin. The best way to even out dark patches is to use skin products that illuminate & brighten the skin and control excess melanin. Ingredients such as Idebenone, Vitamin C, help to brighten, and re-texturize the skin. Colour corrector products also built as primers, help to equal out the skin tone and can also help when used under foundation.

Arden Pro Makeup Artist Jamie Petrovic

Elizabeth Arden products are available in Canada at Hudson’s Bay stores and thebay.com. Follow Jamie on Twitter at @JamiePetrovic1