Beauty Expert: BRIAN Xiao Bu
A member of Niuer's team of beauty experts, known as Teacher Xiao Bu or the Prince of Beauty. With 9 years of experience in the beauty industry, he has appeared as a guest beauty expert on programs such as Hunan TV's "I Am a Beauty," ELLE TV's "Her Style," and Shanghai Star Channel.
Fan Question:
How do models backstage at Fashion Week withstand the heat of the spotlight and keep their makeup flawless?
Expert Says:
For models who wear makeup for extended periods, each has their own "secret weapon" to prevent makeup from smudging. Here are 6 "no-smudge beauty hacks" that also work for ladies working in dry office environments.
1. Mineral Water Spray for Cooling & Oil Control---Instantly lowers skin surface temperature, reduces oil production, and prevents excessive shine caused by heat that leads to foundation breakdown.Facial Acupressure Massage—Before applying makeup, use your fingertips and palms to gently press and massage your entire face with moisturizer. This boosts blood circulation, softens the stratum corneum, and improves foundation adhesion and longevity.Stay Hydrated---Adequate water intake helps the body dissipate heat, reduces skin discomfort caused by high temperatures, and increases skin hydration for longer-lasting makeup.Setting Spray—This creates a protective film on the skin to lock in your makeup. 5. Opt for Liquid or Cream-Based Products—These formulas adhere better to the skin, minimizing the risk of smudging or fading. 6.Keep foundation light and sheer—Heavy foundation is a major culprit behind noticeable makeup meltdown. Use minimal foundation, focusing only on key areas for coverage and concealing. This way, even if it does fade, it won't be too obvious.
Proper skincare and foundation application are the winning secrets to preventing makeup meltdown.
>Expert Tip 1: Maintaining a flawless look starts with skincare and foundation application!
Only healthy skin provides a solid foundation for a perfect makeup look. Pre-makeup massage is crucial—gentle massage softens skin, reduces dryness and roughness, ensuring foundation applies more smoothly and naturally.If your skin is particularly dry, take ten minutes before makeup to apply a hydrating mask. If pressed for time, dampen a cotton pad with alcohol-free toner and press it onto your cheeks, T-zone, and chin. This instantly boosts skin hydration and radiance, minimizing imperfections.
When applying foundation, focus on achieving an even complexion—mastering concealer is key: Mix liquid or cream foundation with concealer, then use a concealer brush to blend it evenly over imperfections. This reduces the heavy feel of concealer while compensating for foundation's coverage limitations, naturally concealing facial flaws.
Expert Tip 2: Choose High-Quality Products to Prevent Makeup Meltdown
Professional makeup artists opt for longer-lasting, high-quality cosmetics to create a smudge-resistant finish.
Pearlescent Primer --- I strongly emphasize using primer. Mix a pearlescent primer into your foundation. The subtle pearlescent particles reflect light, making skin appear more refined and textured.
Foundation---Makeup artists understand the importance of a good foundation. After evening out skin tone with foundation, use a sponge to dab a small amount onto the lips and press evenly to correct dullness or excessive redness. This ensures lipstick or gloss applies more vividly with a cleaner, more defined color.
Matte and Shimmer Eyeshadow Blend---Start by applying matte eyeshadow across the entire eyelid to create natural depth. Strategically layer shimmer eyeshadow to brighten specific areas, enhancing dimensionality and vibrancy. This defined eye makeup holds up beautifully, even on oily lids.
Concealer Pen---A versatile beauty essential. Not only does it cover dark circles, blemishes, and freckles, but using it to outline the upper lip's peak and the shadowed areas below the corners of the mouth can also make the lip shape appear more defined and sculpted.