I’ve received another request on how to cover smile lines and nasolabial folds.It’s all in your skin care regimen. There are no words to emphasize the importance of a good consistent skin care routine.
Wrinkles, fine lines, smile lines, and all other imperfections/flaws come with age and experience; if you take care of yourself from a young age or choose not to have any semblance of a life there will be little to no flaws. However, everyone faces their daily dose of trials and tribulations, and our flesh pays for it.
As a result, we must do our best to combat such problems. With each awakening, we have a responsibility to take care of the body, but only if we want to be in good shape. If it’s your prerogative to look a hot mess…by all means it’s your life.
Maintenance is the key to keeping your health in line. It’s consistency over flash. Don’t wait until wrinkles appear to try and eliminate them. It’s supposed to be combatted early. As the old adage goes “Prevention is better than cure!”
The good news is that it’s never too late to start…because avoiding it will only make the situation worse.
The answer is in the moisturizers you use – put down the fancy makeup brush, the colour corrector, the concealer tricks, the highlighting pens, the montage of makeup tutorials on YouTube. Everybody just calm down! Never underestimate the power of a good moisturizer. Your skin care products are the ones you should be splurging on, instead of buying fancy makeup brands, go for elite skin care brands.
The outcome when you prep your skin with the right moisturizer and serum is always better. Using heavy amounts of makeup, even the costly type, matters not. I’ve seen all kinds of crazy videos on this specific topic…all showing people how to cover-up and not makeup. Avoid covering with too much product. This is a reoccurring problem especially with many online tutorials. You have to be careful with whom you seek counsel. The face is the first thing people see and it leaves a lasting impression. Deciphering what’s real is a difficult task. But no worries, this column is here to wipe away your woes.

• Does your makeup crack when you smile?
Applying cake foundation or cream concealer and stick bases will cause cracking. It’s that lack of moisture that’s the root of the problem. The matte look doesn’t combat oiliness; it has its place and it generally shouldn’t be applied every day. This will cause more oiliness to the skin. It’s the body’s effort to hydrate itself. When using foundations, go for the textures that are liquid. Liquid foundations don’t give the most coverage, but it’s the best makeup to use, especially in the tropics.

• How do you apply your products?
The best way to apply the product is to gently swipe a small synthetic brush along the crevices, then blend with a damp sponge, pressing gently. This motion will help the product to be compressed into the skin while the sponge absorbs excess product.
With a fluffy powder brush, apply powder tapping gently onto skin. In thin layers, apply more as desired.

• Do you look older after applying makeup?
Unless it’s your intention to look a decade older, perhaps on stage, for theatrical purposes or in film…aging makeup can be a good thing. But for most of us we want a more refined jubilant youthful glow. No oiliness, greasy, cracked up makeup – any anti-aging eye creams or anti-wrinkle creams for the face like Mary Kay’s Volu-Firm Eye Renewal Cream.

• Do you rush the process?
Makeup is supposed to be applied in small layers, gradually at a time. Just like a painting, or sculpture or anything that starts from scratch. Patience is most important. Rome was not built in a day. Some clients like to ask: “So Kerry, how long will this take?” The response is always “about an hour.”
Yes we’re all busy, but if you want to look movie star ready it will take effort, diligence, and time. Follow the techniques; stop trying to skip steps.
It’s better to apply it right the first time than have to fix mistakes along the way. I too am a victim of this dilemma. As much as I love makeup, even as a makeup artist, I’d rather not get up an hour earlier…but the result makes it worth it. And the process of applying makeup gives one a feel of accomplishment. But first get a skincare routine.