Tools and Techniques
All Tools and Techniques articles
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Brush Cleaners That Reach the Base
Old foundation hides at the base of your brushes, not the tips. These cleaners get it out, and a few washing tips help your brushes last lon…
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Close-Set Eyes Look Wider When the Makeup Heads for Your Temples
Shadow on the outer half, liner that starts mid-lid, lashes stacked at the edges and brows that leave room in the middle, from three celebri…
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Stop Darkening the Crease on Deep-Set Eyes
A shimmery lid with a teal lower line, a soft taupe wash lifted above the socket and a smudged-in liner, from three celebrity makeup artists…
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Downturned Eyes Lift the Moment You Aim for the Brow Tail
A smoky shadow wing, a lifted plum outer V and lashes stacked at the outer corner, from three makeup artists, plus how to angle each one up.
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Your Bridal Makeup Countdown
Wedding makeup goes smoother with a plan. This countdown takes you from booking your artist months ahead to the last mist of setting spray…
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Hiring a Bridal Makeup Artist: Worth It, Skip It, or Wait?
A bridal makeup artist is worth it for a long day and lots of photos. You'll learn when to book one, when doing it yourself works, and what…
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Flash-Proof Your Wedding Makeup
Makeup that looks perfect in the mirror can look pale or shiny in photos. A few simple tweaks and one phone test keep you glowing on camera.
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Make Your Bridal Makeup Trial Count
Your bridal makeup trial is your chance to get it right. Book it two to three months out, bring the right things and wear the look all day t…
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Bridal Makeup for Tears, Heat and Hugs
Happy tears, summer heat and lots of hugs are hard on wedding makeup. The right layering order keeps it fresh from the first look to the las…
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Mehron Paradise AQ, One Layer at a Time
Mehron Paradise AQ face paint goes on best in thin layers with just enough water. Get crisp lines, smooth fades and an easy cleanup at the e…
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Dry Your Brushes Upside Down
Drying your makeup brushes upside down keeps water away from the glue so they shed less. Get easy tips for washing and caring for them.
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Electric Brush Cleaners Are About Drying
A spinning brush cleaner won't wash better than your hands, but it dries brushes fast. See who it's worth it for and when a cheap mat is eno…
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Your Old Brushes Probably Still Work
Good makeup brushes can last for years. Tell a brush that's truly done from one that just needs a wash, and know which tools wear out fast.
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Sigma Beauty Essential Brush Set: Buy, Dupe, or Splurge?
If you don't own brushes worth keeping, the Sigma Essential Kit covers your whole face and eyes in one go. See if it's worth it or if a chea…
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Pick the Frames First, Then Build the Face Around Them
Black, red, olive, wire and tortoiseshell frames each want a different face. Base that survives nose pads, concealer for frame shadows, blus…
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The Makeup Germs Worth Worrying About
Some makeup really does need cleaning or tossing, like sponges and old mascara. Other worries you can happily skip, and we'll sort out which…
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Nine Makeup Tools Cover Every Look
You don't need a giant brush set. Nine good tools cover every look, and washing them the right way helps them last for years.
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Brush Sets: Start, Upgrade, or Overkill?
It's easy to buy too few makeup brushes, too many, or the wrong ones. Start with a small set that covers the basics, then upgrade when it ma…
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Know Your Brushes by Their Shape
Did you get a mystery brush in a gift set? Its shape tells you what it's for. Get to know your face and eye brushes and how to spot a good o…
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Beautyblender Original: Buy, Dupe, or Splurge?
The Beautyblender Original still presses foundation in more smoothly than most copies. See why it's worth buying and how the dupes compare.
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Brush, Sponge or Fingers for Foundation
Brush, sponge or fingers? The best foundation tool depends on your formula and your skin, and the right match gives a smooth, natural finish…
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How Two Shades Turn Into an Ombre Lip
A mauve edge with a frosted center, black cherry into red, a glittery berry gloss and a reverse ombre, with the liners and glosses to build…
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A Cut Crease Lives or Dies on the Concealer
A soft 90s taupe, a high-shine gold, a sunset orange with pistachio and a pink crystal cut, plus the concealer, brush and shadows behind the…
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Best Long-Wear Foundations That Last All Day
Do you want a foundation that still looks fresh at night? These long-wear picks hold up all day, with options for oily skin, dry skin and ev…