[blparent] Applying Make-up nonvisually

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Gloria,

Ah, a woman after my own heart, smile. I don't wear make-up as much as I
use too, but I still love playing with it and trying new looks. I use to
be fully sighted, but I use to be very involved in theatre, and we
didn't always have mirrors to use when applying make-up, so I learned
nonvisual tricks for applying it long before I was blind. Here are some
tips and ideas:

I recommend purchasing make-up from a make-up counter at a store as
opposed to buying it at places like Target, Wal-mart or Walgreens. A
professional can assist you in selecting the correct colors for your
skin tone. This is especially important with foundation because you
don't want that orange line framing your face.

I apply any eye make-up before my foundation because if you screw up,
you won't ruin your foundation.

If using eyeliner, place the tip right where your lashes meet your eye.
Start from the outside corner and pull the liner across the line. For
daytime, you can just do it from the corner through about less than
half-way to the middle of the line. Also, for daytime, lining the bottom
usually isn't necessary. Use a Q-tip to blend. Blending is your best
friend and vital to this process especially if you can't see. Gently rub
the q-tip across the same place you have lined so it creates a softer
smudge and not a harsh line. It will look more natural this way. If you
want to know the difference between a daytime liner and a smokier liner,
just ask someone to show you, paying attention to how it feels and what
they are doing. I love a smoky eye for evening things.

With eye shadow, you will want someone to help at first so you can get
use to how they are applying it. Depending on the look and style, you
may brush one color across the entire lid, or you may have highlighters
right underneath the brow, towards the inside corner and right above the
line where eyelash and skin connect. A shade would go across the crease.
Just pay attention to what someone does and ask questions.

Also, label your make-up in Braille so you know exactly what stuff is. I
not only label each product, but I may label what outfit or look a
particular make-up is used for if I buy it for a specific reason.

Mascara is pretty easy. When pulling the wand from the tube, twist as
you pull up so it gets rid of any clumps. Don't pump the wand up and
down as some use to do as this will create air bubbles within the tube.
With eyes wide open, ease the wand towards your lashes. Carefully find
the bottom of your top lashes and stroke the wand up towards the tip of
your lashes. I'm lucky because I have pretty full, long lashes and can
just place mascara at the tip, but if you want a fuller look, start from
the root. You can also hold the wand so it just touches the lashes and
blink, so the wand is coming into contact with the top of the lash
without having to maneuver the wand itself. For bottom lashes, carefully
find the root and stroke down. For daytime, I just do top lashes. You
will probably have to use a wet q-tip to clean up mascara around the
eyes; hence the reasoning for doing eyes before foundation.

With foundation, I prefer to use my finger, but some like to use a
make-up sponge. Whatever you prefer, start from the interior of your
face working out. Make sure to get underneath your eyes, between lip and
nose and blend right up into your hairline. Depending on how much
coverage you want , use your fingers to control how much you are using.
It sounds that like me, you don't need much coverage. I would recommend
a light, sheer foundation or just a pressed powder. I like the Lancome
products, but they are pricey. Clinique is just as good and less
expensive. Like I said, if nothing else, I advise you purchase your
foundation from a counter. So back to the application. Once done, use a
towel to blend. Gently rub it in a circular motion around your face,
concentrating around your jaw and hair line and around your nose. This
will help against any orange lines and blend it all together. If using a
powder, use a large brush to brush your face ensuring all powder is
blended in.

If using rouge, apply starting from the apple of your cheek stroking up
through the hairline at a slight angle from your apple. If daytime, just
lightly apply. Again, with a towel or tissue, gently rub with circular
motions to blend.

I prefer lip gloss over lipstick, and I have never liked lip liner. The
one down-side to buying at a counter is that they may try to get you to
buy every product available, but stick to your guns and only get what
you want. Applying lip products is pretty self explanatory though.

At the make-up counter, they can play with what colors will look best
for you and can even write it down so you know.

You sound like me, and when you have good skin, a lot of make-up on a
daily basis isn't necessary. If staying at the house, I forego any
make-up. If going somewhere during the day, I will do just a little
mascara and lip gloss. Maybe a bit of powder to help with shine, but
depends on my mood and what I'm doing. For work or something bigger than
running errands, I will wear more make-up but do daytime application.
For the evening, if going to an event of some sort or a date night, I
will do the full make-up routine and apply a little thicker. Depending
on my *look,* it will dictate what colors I use.

And always, always wash your make-up off. If you want to retain that
clear, great skin, a good cleanser and other facial products are
necessary. I swear by a company called Paula's Choice.

To double check, you can always ask someone sighted to make sure you
look okay.

If this doesn't make sense, just let me know, and I will try to better
explain. I hope it's helpful.

Bridgit


Message: 7
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 19:27:52 -0500
From: "Gloria G" <gloria.graves at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] shaving legs
Message-ID: <D52529182D354640A25F3938EF43B4D0 at Gloria>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Hi,
THis is not about shaving legs, but I was wondering if any of you had
tips 
on how to apply makeup? I have just started using foundation and still
have 
to ask my husband to make sure I applied it every where and it is even.
I 
have never had to wear makeup because I have been told my skin is relly
nice 
and I don't need makeup, but I just wanted to try smething different and

thought you guys could be of help. Thanks in advance!
Gloria