How to Apply Merit Beauty: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s beauty industry, the concept of merit beauty has gained significant popularity. Merit beauty focuses on enhancing one’s natural features and highlighting their unique qualities. This approach to makeup is not only about looking flawless but also about feeling confident and comfortable in one’s own skin. If you’re curious about how to apply merit beauty, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential tips and techniques to achieve a stunning, authentic look.
Understanding Merit Beauty
Before diving into the application process, it’s crucial to understand the essence of merit beauty. This beauty philosophy emphasizes the importance of showcasing your natural features while using makeup as a tool to enhance rather than mask them. The goal is to create a balanced and cohesive look that reflects your personal style and enhances your natural beauty.
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
The foundation of any successful makeup application begins with properly prepping your skin. To achieve a smooth canvas, follow these steps:
1. Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and excess oil.
2. Apply a toner to balance your skin’s pH level and tighten pores.
3. Moisturize your skin to ensure it stays hydrated throughout the day. Choose a moisturizer suitable for your skin type.
4. Apply a primer to create a smooth base for your makeup and extend its wear.
Step 2: Highlight and Contour
Highlighting and contouring are essential techniques in merit beauty. These steps will help define your facial features and create a balanced look:
1. Choose a highlighter that complements your skin tone. Apply it to the high points of your face, such as your forehead, nose bridge, and chin.
2. Select a contour powder or cream that is one or two shades darker than your skin tone. Apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline to create shadows that define your facial structure.
3. Blend the highlighter and contour thoroughly to avoid any harsh lines.
Step 3: Apply Foundation and Concealer
To achieve a seamless base, follow these steps:
1. Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and type. Apply it with a brush, sponge, or your fingers, focusing on the areas where you need coverage, such as blemishes, dark circles, and redness.
2. Use a concealer to cover any remaining imperfections. Apply it with a brush or a concealer brush, focusing on areas that require extra coverage, such as under your eyes and around your nose.
Step 4: Add Color with Blush and Bronzer
To add warmth and dimension to your face, apply blush and bronzer:
1. Choose a blush shade that complements your skin tone. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks, blending it upwards towards your temples.
2. Select a bronzer that is slightly darker than your skin tone. Apply it to the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as your forehead, cheeks, and temples.
Step 5: Finish with Eyebrows and Mascara
To complete your merit beauty look, focus on defining your eyebrows and enhancing your lashes:
1. Fill in any sparse areas of your eyebrows with a brow pencil or powder. Shape them according to your natural brow shape.
2. Apply a coat of mascara to your eyelashes to open up your eyes and add volume.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a stunning merit beauty look that highlights your natural features and boosts your confidence. Remember, the key to merit beauty is enhancing your unique qualities, so have fun and experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you.
