How to Apply Angel Makeup

Angels aren't always described as benevolent, nor are cherubs always considered the little babies with wings you see in charming paintings. Yet, for convention's sake, achieving a soft, ethereal and otherworldly appearance are the main goals for applying angel makeup. If you aren't gearing up to be a fiery warrior archangel and simply want the face to match your halo and wings for Halloween or a costume party, read on.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oil-free makeup primer
• Matte foundation
• Makeup sponge
• Undereye concealer (optional)
• Eyebrow sealer kit
• Matte eyeshadow in either a light flesh or pastel tone
• Eyeshadow blending brush
• Light pink creme blush
• Matching light pink creme lipstick
• Translucent powder
• Oil-blotting papers

1. Apply an oil-free mattifying makeup primer onto your clean face. Follow by covering your entire face--eye and lip areas included--with a matte foundation slightly lighter than your skin tone to create a blank canvas. Your skin should appear paler than it normally is for an ethereal look. Blend the makeup down your neck and over other visible patches of skin with a makeup sponge for a seamless finish. If you still have dark circles under your eyes after applying foundation, pat on an undereye concealer.

2. Leave eyebrows as is if yours are very light. Otherwise, use a brow sealer kit to cover your brows to match the light skin tone (see Resources below).

3. Stipple on a matte flesh tone eyeshadow from lash line to past the crease. It should be a notch or two lighter than your coloring to bring extra light to your eye area. Soft matte pastels diluted with a lot of white also work. Choose only one color to avoid creating a distracting palette of hues. Blend any evident edges with an eyeshadow brush to keep your application soft. Deliberately avoid defining your eyelashes and lash lines.

4. Work a creme blush in a pure, undiluted baby pink over the apples of your cheeks. Allow the color to come through, blurring any obvious or hard lines to continue the soft look. Blot light pink creme lipstick onto the center of top and bottom lips. Blend outward with your finger, keeping your lips unstructured--you don't want to line them or purposely bring attention to their shape.

5. Dust translucent powder over your face before you step out. You don't want any shine for this look, so it is a good idea to pack a few powderless oil-blotting papers in your pocket for touch-ups later.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid shimmer. Sparkles and sheen are more suited for a fairy or mermaid look.
• Frame your face with flowing hair like in pictures of angels in medieval and Renaissance art.
• Males who wish to try this look should apply foundation as directed, but can skip the pastel eyes and pink lips. These are meant to create a feminine effect. Instead, just apply a small amount of blush for a rosy glow.

Resources

• How to cover brows with makeup

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