Little Tips For Big Looks!

by BR Tabatha

“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” - Coco Chanel

I adore this quote from the one-of-a-kind Coco Chanel. I love that it makes us rethink our style before we head out the door, giving us a moment's sartorial self-relection. However, I don't always agree with it. You see sometimes I think it's the little things we add that make all the difference to how we present ourselves. For example, a well chosen brooch pinned to a lapel can create an aura of sophistication, a sparkling hair clip can add a sense of fun, and a jangle of necklaces can give that 'cool Mum' asthetic that I so aspire to. The same goes for makeup - sometimes that little extra addition will elevate our look from "good enough" to "great". So how can we add a pop of pow to our faces without entering Clown-land? 

Eyes

There's nothing like a little tight-lining of the upper lid to create extra oomph to the eyes. It's a subtle trick, and one that's surprisingly easy to master with a little practice and a creamy eye pencil or gel liner.

Not ready to poke anything that close to your eyeball? Take a light shade of matte or sparkly shadow (or a highlighter) and place it in the inner corner of your eye (near the tear duct) to instantly brighten the area.

Make the time to add a little lash lifting action in the form of an eyelash curler to your makeup routine and your mascara-ed up lashes will look lusher than ever.

Groomed brows are another way to make a big impact without a whole lot of effort. Just grab a tinted brow gel and run it through for a face-defining look.

Lips

While a dash of lipstick is always flattering, if you really want to emphasise your kissers then go in with a liner first. Not only will you create crisp edges, you'll stop feathering, and if you over-line a little you'll create the look of lips that La Jolie would be envious of.

Another way to emphasise your pretty pout is by popping a dab of shimmery gloss in the centre of your bottom lip. Not sure you're ready to rock a shimmer? A clear but shiny gloss will do the trick, too.

If you really want to play the area up, you can also take a touch of highlighter and apply it on your cupid's bow.

Feeling confident in your makeup application? Take a cream contour shade and pop it just below the centre of your lower lip and blend out to create the illusion of a fuller lower lip.

Highlighter

One of the easiest ways to amp up your makeup is to use highlighter. As above, it can be applied in the inner corners of your eyes and on the Cupid's bow. Perhaps most commonly, it can be applied to the top of your cheekbones to make them stand out.

If you want an instant eye lift, then a dash of highlighter applied to the brow bone can create a more lifted look.

Meanwhile, adding highlighter to the bridge of the nose (not too much, you don't want to look like the Tin Man) can make it appear slimmer. As for highlighting the tip of your nose? Personally I'm still not convinced, but if you think it enhances your face, go for it. It's makeup. It's for fun. It's there to make us feel good. As always, you do you.

So, my pretties, are you one for adding a little extra to your look? What are you best tips and tricks? Sharing is caring, so get chatting below!