Pin-up Perfection: How to do the Makeup

Despite what many people think, pinup makeup is neither hard to do, nor does it require a lot of makeup if done right. The hair is a different story...but for now we'll work on the makeup.

What you'll need:

• Foundation, preferably matte (Personal preference: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream)
• Light colored eyeshadow
• Red lipstick, and matching lip-liner
• Blush (Personal Preference: NARS blush in Orgasm)
• Liquid or Gel eyeliner
• Brow Shader (pencil or powder, powder looks better IMHO)
• Loose powder (I'm a fan of Coty's Airspun Face Powder -- easily found at your local drugstore)

Step 1: Your skin. Wash your face, put on moisturizer and primer if you must, then put on your foundation. This isn't that hard. Don't slather it on, just enough to even out your tone and cover any blemishes. If you have anything that can't be covered easily (angry zits, massive under-eye bags) use a concealer first. Think of it as making your face a blank canvas to paint on. Make sure it is blended entirely!

Step 2: Your blush should be done lightly, if at all, highlighting the apples of your cheeks and then sweeping up to show off your cheekbones. Think of making a triangle on your face, with the narrow end being close to your hairline. Again, keep it light or ignore this step entirely. The focal points of this look will be on your eyes and your lips. It is meant to complete the look, but not stand out.

Step 3: Eyeshadow: You will want to go with a pale (white or vanilla) eyeshadow that you simply sweep over your lid. If you must use color, keep it natural and keep it light.

Step 4: The perfect cat-eye. Now, making that cat eye can be hard, especially when using liquid or gel eyeliner, as they require a brush and a bit of drying time. I personally use cheap-o Wet n' Wild waterproof eyeliner. I used it in high school when I was broke and, while I've tried others since, I just like it. To achieve that perfect cat eye, do this:

• Without winging the edge, draw a thin line from the inside corner to the outside corner. I actually go the other way around because it's easier for me. Most instructions I've found say to go from the inside to the outside, making it thicker as you go because it's easier for most. I simply find it easier to go from thick to thin. That's a personal preference: the point is simply to have the outside liner be just a few hairs thicker than the inside.
• Now: the kick. There are a few ways to do this. Some people take their brush and make a tiny line that points from the edge of their eyeliner to the outside point of their eyebrow. Personally, I just extend the liner a little ways out from where I drew it, like the above picture. I do this because, after my lashes are curled and done, the kick then looks like an extension of my eyelashes as opposed to a line on my face.

Step 5: Curl your lashes. Apply mascara. I like mascaras that volumize them. Easy-peasy!

Step 6: Shade in your brows. Most pin-ups have beautiful, arching brows, dark in contrast to the rest of their faces. Do not re-draw your brows. Simply fill them in so that you get the same look. Also, make sure their plucked and neat first (which should be a given).

Step 7: Outline your lips. Now, if you haven't been born with Angelina's or Scarlett's gorgeous pout, fear not. Neither was Marilyn Monroe. No, Ms. Monroe was a guilty as any of today's models and actresses when it came to altering her looks. Here's a before and after:

So, while there's no need to completely re-draw your lips (and it will look silly if you do), if you fudge the lines in your favor, it would be nice. Just remember to keep it symmetrical! Also, lightly fill in the whole lip area with lip-liner. I do this because, in case my lipstick starts to wear off, it's less obvious if I have a good base. Alternately, the step can be skipped if you use any long-lasting lipstick (which I will do, because, face it, red lipstick is a pain).

Step 7: Apply lipstick in the correct area you have made with the lipliner. It's just like a paint-by-numbers you had as a child. Only on your face. If you want more precision, use a brush, as many professional makeup artists do. :)

Finish by LIGHTLY brushing the loose powder over your face. You want to set your makeup and ensure it doesn't smudge into oblivion, but you do not want to look like a cake. And watch for excess around your nose and other crease-y areas. You don't want to pull a Nicole Kidman, do you?

Good luck, my darlings!!