There’s an epidemic running rampant in Instagram pics, Facebook posts, and it is even roaming the streets every single day in a neighborhood near you. No, it’s not a deadly disease, it’s just makeup done poorly.
With the most social time of the year upon us, and another one full of ample opportunities to resolve to “do better” in the new one around the bend, we decided to call in the big guns to tackle makeup once and for all with some solid advice.
We enlisted the expertise of Beauty & Style Expert Tai Beauchamp, who has taken her talents to a super-special holiday collaboration with Target, to take on everything from the poorly done eyelashes (yes, we’re looking at you with that super glue in your hand) to choosing the perfect red lipstick. We didn’t want to have to take it here, but some of you left us no choice.
Without further ado, check out some amazing beauty tips from Tai, and bookmark this in case you catch yourself slipping on that resolution to get it together.
First, for the tips from Tai.
The guide to taking the perfect selfie:
I really don’t think I’m good at taking selfies, I prefer to take photos of people. But here is the guide to taking the ANY great photo: Concealer, a red lip – red lips just give you a completely different kind of expression – and then I would say, make sure your arm is straight and the camera is slightly higher than your head.
How to keep your lipstick from feathering:
One, you want to make sure your lips are hydrated to begin with, so a good balm. Another good thing to do is to use foundation, just a very, very thin coat of foundation and always wear lip liner; that should keep it fresh.
The tip to finding the perfect red lip:
It’s trial and error, I will tell you that. One of the reasons I love shopping at Target is because I can literally purchase a few and try them all. But [if you’re in store], swipe them on your hand, then hold it up to the light, your hand is usually a shade lighter than your face, and typically what I would say is to go with the color that has some depth and some richness, but is also vibrant on your skin.
3 tips for brown girls that we cannot find in traditional beauty magazines:
1. I am a big believer in this for all women, but especially brown girls: You need to change your skin care routine every season and really assess your skin every season.
2. You can never ever condition your hair too much, during the winter months especially. I like the idea of using leave in conditioner from brands like Mixed Chicks, because when you’re working out, most women wrap their hair up, just let your hair get damp, not wet, put the leave in conditioner in and just leave it to moisturize.
3. I really am obsessed with Johnson and Johnson baby oil gel, so after the shower, put it on your skin, walk around, let it air dry, and then wipe the excess off. It will keep your skin fresh all day.
Tips on Ending Epidemic Beauty Offenses:
The sharpie brow epidemic:
People make the mistake of using brown pencils that are really hard lined. I prefer powder. The color should only be a shade darker, only one shade darker, and then brow gel is the best thing.
The “permanent” strip lash epidemic:
Let me just say this, it’s not healthy. What’s happening with the kind of lashes that we are seeing everywhere is they are attaching it to the lid, that’s why it looks so thick like that; They’re not doing it to the individual eyelash strands, and I am not even kidding when I say people are going to have some serious health issues in the future. They’re literally attaching multiple lashes to the skin.
You want to make sure to attach them as close to the lash line as possible, and put black liner over it. The key is also in good glue. You want to get glue that dries well.
Blush:
It’s really frustrating to see people who look like Santa. Here’s my thing about beauty in general; it’s about personal expression, but usually, less is more. Don’t go overboard, blending is important and that’s why you need those blush brushes.
Contouring:
One other thing I don’t like is seeing eye shadow up to the brow bone, contouring is not meant for every day and honestly not for everybody, and what a lot of people don’t realize is with contouring, you look a little older, and sometimes not as delicate and pretty.
There you have it, from Tai’s mouth to your eyes! We spoke all things makeup with Tai, but if you want to get a few style tips, check out her latest video with Target below.
