Gothic makeup

Gothic makeup typically features dramatic eyes. The ubiquitous black eye liner requires an extremely steady hand. Hold the lining device as you do a pen or pencil. To help with the process, tighten your focus and look only at what you're lining. Start off with a thin line as you can add to the thickness with a second coating. By working with two or more layers of eyeliner, you can clean up the lines and fill in any gaps for a clean and professional edge.

1. If you're using a cake, moisten the eyeliner brush with clean water then draw across the liner cake. Draw a line to test the thickness and density.

2. If you're using a liquid: barely moisten the brush, then dip just its tip into the liner. Test the line and adjust fluid amount accordingly.

3. If you're using a felt tip: test liner flow by drawing very lightly on your hand. If tip is dry, give the liner a few sharp shakes to force more fluid to the tip. If the tip is too wet, draw it against your hand (or a lint-free cloth or cosmetic paper) to remove excess.

4. If you're using a pencil: Sharpen the tip enough to produce a line to your liking. If too sharp, you can blunt the tip by drawing on a tissue. After you are satisfied with the eyeliner, you can add a layer of eyeshadow powder with a thin brush to enhance the effect and to help the eyeliner stay put. Again, adding powder over a cream or wax liner is like a gouache painting for it's durability and opacity.

For more information about gothic makeup, visit www.goth-style-secrets.com.

Goth makeup emphasis freedom of expression, while challenging taboos such as black eye liner on men in Western culture. Goth makeup may also include a paler complexion, smokier eyes and darker lips:

1. Whiteface can be achieved with a white full coverage foundation. If you have dark skin instead, mix the white foundation with your own shade of foundation and then put the lightest powder over it. Depending on the occasion, white full coverage cream foundation allows you to create a dramatic look when layered with loose powder multiple times until the skin is completely white.

A foundation brush is designed to create an even finish and flawless gothic make-up look. It works well with a cream-based to full coverage foundation. You can use it to apply, distribute, and blend foundation into all areas in the face. A kabuki brush is firm and full to provide fast and perfectly controlled application of loose powder finish.

2. For gothic eye makeup, black eye liner is a must. Black powder eye shadow adds spookiness and drama, also reminescent of the 1920s. Liquid eyeliner works best for a gothic look and style, but if your hands shake use the most expensive pencil you can afford. Cheap pencils go on faint and will smudge after an hour.

3. For gothic lips, find a dark shade of lipstick. Apply it with a lip brush for a more precise and dramatic effect. With a dark red or black lipstick and a liner you can reshape your lips. Take the liner, draw the desired outline and fill them in with the lipstick, blot and retouch with lipstick. The liner does not have to be the same shade as the lipstick, but it should be darker.

For more information about goth makeup, visit www.goth-style-secrets.com.