A tom boy's guide to make up!

By Allison Browning.

Take one step into any department store and it’s a Tom boy’s nightmare! Where to begin? Too many things to contemplate in a million different textures and a whole other language.

With a multitude of made up women vying for your attention in a mad fluorescent lit environment I suggest heading somewhere unbiased unless you know that you love a particular range.

Having someone that knows the comparative features between a few brands will mean you are not stuck with just one range and they can select exactly what you want from your make up. If the store offers a make up tuition then book one, that way you are shown what and how to do it.

Take in some pictures from magazines of looks and colours that you like, that way you have a guide for your make up artist to work with.

To keep it simple your basic make up kit should have: foundation, blush, mascara, lipstick and eye shadow in it- and that’s just the basics. These days you can get everything in four different textures or with a choice of features so here is a simple guide to get you familiar with the lingo. It’s like heading to a foreign country- it’s always helpful to know the basics to get you by!

The Lingo:

Primer: This is used to create a good base for your foundation and make up. It will feel like a light moisturiser and ensures an even texture base for your foundation. Use this after you have applied your moisturiser and sunscreen. It’s a non essential for the make up tom boy if you want to keep it simple to begin with.

Foundation: wet and dry, stick, liquid, compacts, dewy or matte finish, full coverage or sheer. ‘Oh my God!’ I hear you say. So, to make it simple for you:

Dry skin: choose a liquid with dewy finish

Oily combination: any style of foundation is fine but ideally an oil free formula with matte finish. Powder formulas can work well to keep the skin matte.

Normal skin: take your pick!

Mature skin: a liquid foundation generally works best to mimimise the appearance of lines, generally with a moist/dewy finish unless you are oily.  Learn your skin type.

Mineral make up: Mineral make up, as the name suggests, is made from mineral elements. It’s usually free of artificial colours and fragrance so it’s a great option for problem and reactive skin types.

Translucent powder: This is usually a loose powder applied with a brush to ‘set’ your liquid or stick foundation. It helps to minimize shine and leave a velvety finish to your make up. It won’t change the colour of your foundation.

Concealer: choose one touch lighter for around the eyes if you want a luminous effect. If you have dark circles ensure you choose one that gives some coverage. If you want a concealer for spots on the face ensure that it matches your skin tone.

Lash primer: what you say? A lash primer is applied before your mascara and seriously gives length to lashes! It’s not necessary for the tom boy, but if you want long lashes it’s a must!

Mascara: these days you can choose lengthening, fattening and curling. If you are confused just go the tried and tested lengthening mascara.

Eye shadow: matte or pearl, powder or cream, if you are a make up tom boy I suggest you start with two colours- a light neutral tone to apply over the lid and another with some depth to apply into the hollow of the eye (ask your make up artist to show you!).

Eye liner: comes in liquid and a pencil. Liquid liner is tricky to handle so go the pencil if you are a make up tom boy. It can be applied on the lash line top and bottom. For a natural look simply line the top lid in a taupe/brown, for something more dramatic try a black or play with the multitude of colours out there!

Blush: comes in powder or cream. Both are applied to the apple of the check. A rose or apricot toned blush is always a safe bet!

Lip liner: quality liner should glide on and gives definition to the lips. My trick is to line the lips then sketch them in all over this will ensure you get long lasting lip colour. Either apply lippy or a gloss on top and you’re done.

Lip colour: lip gloss or lip stick. Most Tom boys will feel better with a gloss or a sheer lip stick. Lip sticks will come in a dewy, matte or sheer finish. Sheer or dewy will be best for a more natural look.