Makeup Tips For Asian Women
Most makeup manuals are aimed at women of all races, but the one-size-fits-all approach doesn't always work.
Makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian's new book, "Asian Faces: The Essential Beauty and Makeup Guide for Asian Women," is full of beauty basics for a growing segment of the population in the United States — Asian women. The book also has a forward by Yoko Ono.
All women have issues with makeup application: where to apply blush, how to widen their eyes with liner, etc. But in her book, Chang-Babaian shows Asian women how to enhance their beauty with some great makeup methods.
On The Early Show Monday, she showed how to achieve two basic looks: the day look, and the night look.
The book is also filled with advice that any woman can heed, no matter what her ethnicity. Skincare tips, how to use different brushes, how to buy foundation, brow maintenance. And every page is accompanied by photos and demonstrations of how to do what.
Chang-Babaian writes: "No two Asian women are alike, and no two Asian faces are alike. The term 'Asian' applies to a wide variety of cultures: Chinese, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese — the list goes on and on. And the makeup that works for one woman might not work for her sister. We have so many variations in skin tone, eye shape, and bone structure. That's why it is so important to learn the basics of makeup: Why do I apply brown shadow here and shimmer there? How do I make my eyes appear larger or my skin look more even? When you understand what products do and how they work, you will be able to adapt them to your needs and develop the makeup look that is best for you, whether it is a natural look, something for work, or a sexier look for a night on the town. And if you already feel like a makeup pro, you'll learn new tricks, easier application techniques, and fun new looks. I have put everything you will ever need to know about makeup into this book so that you can learn how to be your own makeup artist. Don't get discouraged if it takes some practice — it's just makeup, after all, and you can always wash it off and start again! Take your time, have fun with it, and remember that it is our diversity that makes us beautiful. I am very proud to be Asian, and it has been a lifelong dream of mine to have this opportunity to help all Asian women look and feel their absolute best."
One area Chang-Babaian spends a good time explaining is how to make up the eyes. She also writes at great length about contouring.
On The Early Show, she went into detail on two looks:
LOOK NO. 1: THE UPTOWN GIRL (daytime look)
First, apply a highlight cream foundation to the center of the face. Blend in a contour cream foundation to the outside of the face. Apply under-eye concealer where necessary, and set with yellow-based powder. Also, apply ash brown brow cream to the brows to make them stand out. Sweep a taupe brown eye shadow over the base of the eyelid, and apply a chestnut brown shadow over the lid to create depth to the eye. Also apply along the lower lash line. Apply a thin line of black eyeliner along the top lash line. Curl lashes and apply black mascara to top and bottom lashes.
On the lips, add definition to the natural lip line by using a neutral lip liner, adding a few strokes to the center. Then, mix a beige and clear lip gloss to get a sheer look that allows some of the natural lip color to come through for a pretty, natural look. Cheeks are kept bright and clean by applying pale bronzer along the cheekbone, and cream highlighter above the apples of the cheeks and the temples.
LOOK NO. 2: SMOULDERING (nighttime look)
First, apply a highlight fluid foundation to the center of the face. Blend in a contour fluid foundation to the outside of the face. Apply under-eye cake concealer, and set with translucent powder. Apply ash brown brow cream to brows. Use a taupe shimmery eyeliner all around the eye (layer 3). (You can also use most other eyeliner colors to create a clean, smoky look, Taylor writes). Gently create a smoky eye by applying black eyeliner close to the upper and lower lash line. Smudge eyeliner almost completely into layer 3, using an eyeliner smudge brush. Add definition to the eye by applying a second coat of eyeliner inside the upper and lower rims. Apply an off-white shimmery liner to the inner corners of the eyes. Finish the look with mascara on upper and lower lashes.
For the lips, apply a warm, neutral lip liner to add definition to the mouth. Finish with a warm peach lip gloss.
All makeup used on the models in the segment was from Lancome (www.lancome.com).