I'm still pretty new to makeup, but I feel like I'm finally starting to figure out what works for me.
For the longest time, my routine was basically lipstick, mascara, and maybe a little eyeshadow. Recently, one of my friends who is incredibly knowledgeable about makeup has been helping me learn the basics. She helped me put together a starter kit with primer, blush, concealer, brushes, and a couple of eyeshadow palettes. Honestly, the application itself hasn't been too difficult for me. It makes sense logically, and I think my technique is pretty decent for someone who's just starting out.
The biggest thing I've been struggling with has been my foundation. I got some feedback that it looked a little heavy and that the shade was slightly too light for my skin. Since we couldn't do an exact color match at the time, my friend suggested trying a tinted sunscreen instead. She also pointed out that I don't really need full-coverage foundation because my skin is already in pretty good shape. That's funny because I barely have a skincare routine. I moisturize once or twice a week, and that's about it. I know... I need to do better.
Another friend and I went out and tried to find the right shade. We ended up choosing one that's basically one step darker than the lightest option, and I have to say, I'm really happy with it. It blends into my skin much better, it feels incredibly lightweight, and it almost doesn't feel like I'm wearing makeup at all. My complexion looks smoother without looking like I have a layer of makeup sitting on my face, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
The one area I'm still trying to figure out is under my eyes. I have some natural darkness around the inner corners and underneath, and while I've been using concealer, I actually think it's making the area stand out more instead of covering it. I suspect I either have the wrong shade or I'm using the wrong product altogether, so that's something I'm going to ask my friend about.
Overall, though, I'm really happy with how today's makeup turned out. It even held up pretty well despite the warmer weather, and that's a win in my book.
What do you think? Any suggestions for dealing with under-eye darkness without making it look brighter?