Last time I wrote about the right way to moisturize. Did it help you? Well, it’s time for the sequel. Because you may have a toilet bag full of tricks if you don’t know how to apply it or get the order mixed up the result can be disastrous. No, seriously. You don’t want glitter on your cheeks that belongs on your eyes and you don’t want your foundation flying all over the place.

Primer

This is the last step in the moisturizing ritual but it happens to be the first step of your makeup ritual. A primer is essential. It contains working ingredients that nourish the skin and keeps foundation in place, it also fixates the rest of your makeup. That it prevents an ultra shiny face is another big plus.

Foundation

There’s some confusion about the order of application when it comes to foundation and concealer.What comes first? The answer: the foundation and then the concealer. The foundation is applied using your fingers or a brush while avoiding the eye area because foundation is often too heavy for that delicate skin. No? Then I’d like to redirect you directly to the next step.

Concealer

Dark circles or red spots are easily covered with a concealer. And no, you don’t use the concealer like you would a brush. The skin beneath your eyes is very thin and needs precision. Make a few little dots and carefully wipe them using your fingers. Works best that way.

Powder

You fixate the base with a powder. Use a large powder brush to fix your foundation but keep it as transparent and natural as possible. Powder is wonderful as it minimizes shine.

Bronzer

Bronzer adds structure to your face.You apply it straight away because it’s a good way to give your face the needed depth while revealing the spots where some extra dimension is required, or not. Often used with a highlighter to really create that 3-D effect.

Blush

It’s not bronzer or blush, it’s more of a and-and situation. A blush just gives you a healthy, well, blush.

Eyes

The eyes have their own order. It depends on what you want but you usually start off with a primer (it prevents those thick eyeshadow lines from forming on your eyelids). Then it’s eyeshadow, eyeliner and then the icing on the cake: the mascara. If you change the order there’s a chance of eyeshadow getting stuck to your lashes. You don’t want that. After the eyeshadow take that large powder brush and carefully brush away any spilt glitter.

Brows

Lots of people start with their eyebrows and then move on to the eyes, but it’s better the other way around. If you go for a hefty eye you can lighten up on the brow. If you’re going for a natural look, the brow can add some more body to your face. First color them in using a pencil, then use the powder – it will last longer – and fixate and fine tune it with an eyebrow gel.

Fixing spray

You’ve done you best applying all the layers but you don’t want it flying all over the place so you finish off with a spray. A kind of soft liquid glue giving you an extra layer to keep your makeup from moving.