Applying makeup can be difficult whether you’re just starting out or learning a new technique. I’ve found that although I’d watch hours upon hours of videos and read blogs for tips. I’d still have trouble with some techniques or skills. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that’s not just because of my disability, but I do know that it can make the process even more difficult at times. After practicing applying makeup and a lot of trial and error, I learned a few things about applying makeup when you don’t have the best hands. Keep reading to find out my tips for applying makeup when you have a disability.
3 Tips For Applying Makeup For When You Have A Disability
Get a feel for where the product is supposed to go on your face, literally
When you are first applying makeup, before you even pick up a makeup product, gently run your hands over the different areas of your face while sitting in front of a mirror. Get used to that feeling. I know it sounds weird, to some extent anyway, but getting used to that feeling. Learning the different areas of your face when it comes to makeup will help you when you start applying it. For me, it was eye makeup or more specifically eyeliner.
When I first started learning to apply eyeliner I was applying it too high for my lashline, still, this was only one of many problems I had when it came time to apply my eyeliner. Tell me if this sounds familiar: You blink way too much every time you try or you press too hard and get a crazy looking line. Yes, that was me, until I went back and I gently felt around my eyes, getting used to the feeling while looking into a mirror for a few days. I didn’t know it then, but this was the first step for me to apply better-looking eyeliner and I’ve done it when learning/practicing new skills ever since
After that I had an idea of what the eyeliner was supposed to feel like so I applied it without looking in a mirror, sure I blinked a bit, but it was much less. These days after doing it for years, I can apply my eyeliner on my top lid without using a mirror. When I’m ready to check my work, I look in the mirror and touch up any mistakes.
Don’t be afraid to use your hands to apply some products when you are starting out
You know everyone says you shouldn’t use your hands to apply makeup, forget about that. I mean you should make sure you wash your hands thoroughly especially with the recent health concerns, but if you need to use your hands to apply primer, foundation blush, or even lipstick while learning or you’re just more comfortable with it, go for it, but please please make sure your hands are clean before applying makeup with your fingers, it’s better to be safe given health concerns.
Figure out what types and sizes of products work best for you
There are so many different types of products on the market in the beauty industry. From powder, stick, and liquid foundations to powder, cream, and stick blushes to tube and liquid lipsticks, there are many different options for makeup products for your makeup routine. If one product type doesn’t work for you or you’re not improving with practice after some time, try another product type. In my case, the liquid foundation is easiest for me to apply, partly because I can do the application in sections. I’ve also found that liquid lipsticks give me more control than the original tube lipsticks.
While the type of product you use can help with applying makeup, it’s not the only step of the process of making applying makeup easier for you. In addition to the product type, you can also look at the size of the products and their applicators. One of the first makeup products I applied on my own as a teenager was lip gloss, I tried other lip products and it just did not work out well. Years later even as I worked on my other makeup skills, I still struggled with lip products to some degree. That all changed when I discovered the BH Cosmetics Cashmere Cream Comfort Lipsticks, this product has a smaller applicator, this makes it easier to apply the product because of the small amount of product on the applicator, it’s easier to see my lips when applying the product.
Related: BH Cosmetics Cashmere Comfort Cream Liquid Lipsticks
When I realized how beneficial using a smaller applicator was for me, I started looking at the mini/ travel versions of products. This is how I was able to improve my skills by applying mascara. A mini version of the product has a smaller handle and shorter wand meaning that I end holding my hand closer to my face, giving me the feeling of more control. The type and size of the product may seem like small details, but they can really help when applying certain products.
Applying makeup can be difficult for so many reasons, disability or not but by taking a few aspects of it into account, you can make applying makeup easier and fun. I hope that these 3 tips I use when applying my makeup and practicing new skills help you create some awesome looks. Do you have any tips to make applying makeup easier, that you think I should know about? Let me know in the comments.
