Cheat Sheet #1

Cheating that does absolutely no harm to others. 10 products that you can emulate and "cheat" your way out of purchasing.

1. Nude lipstick - Just use concealer. Makeup artists have been doing it for ages for runway and celebrity clients. I, personally, think that nude looks best matte, but you can also add gloss for some shine.
2. Liquid liner - Just get a highly pigmented dark shadow and scrape some powder out using a spatula and place it on the shadow's cap or a mixing palette if you have one.  Add just a few drops of water and using an angled brush, mix to get it even before applying.  This is better than simply wetting your brush then dipping into the powder, because you want an even texture.
3. Gel liner - The same process as liquid, but add a touch of clear lip gloss.
4. Lip gloss - Petroleum jelly plus shadow! The best part about this is that it is great for locking in moisture into your lips and you can come up with an endless array of shades.
5. Cheek stain - Sun screen plus lipstick.  Who would have known? After a thorough and balanced mix (I'd say 1 part sun screen and 2 parts lipstick), then smooth it on to your cheeks using your fingers and set with powder.
6. Tinted moisturizer - Just add foundation to your moisturizer! Start out with just a little and build it up with more color as needed then see if it blends into your jawline.  I usually go with 2 parts moisturizer and 1 part foundation.
7. Color correctors - First, to get rid of dark under eye circles, you can add the slightest amount of orange lipstick to your concealer.  Voila! Sleep deprivation erased.  Second, to cover up freckles and sun spots, add some purple lipstick to your concealer.  Lastly, I'm not sure that anyone would have green lipstick to add for correction of zits, so if you do then great!  If not, just remember to cover up with a shade that matches your skin as opposed to the usual one-shade-lighter-than-your-skin-tone.
8. Brush cleaner - These can cost you an arm and a leg, but dishwashing soap plus extra virgin olive oil and some water can do wonders for your brushes. Just remember to allow your brushes to dry downward if you have brush guards or sideways with a towel underneath to absorb the water.
9. Highlighter - Using a contouring brush, get some matte white shadow (or if you have a powder in an ivory shade) followed by shimmery pink, gold or silver shadow.  Highlight your nose bridge, above your cheekbones, chin, etc.
10. Exfoliating scrub/firming mask - Make a mixture of brown sugar and water for your lips.  You can also opt to use a clean toothbrush for more friction.  For face, add a touch of liquid soap and spread upward in circular motions.  As for the mask, all you need is a well whisked egg which can be distributed over your face using your fingers or a brush.  Once the egg has dried up, gently rinse off and dry.  Finish off with your usual moisturizer and your skin will be glowing.

Why is this called Cheat Sheet #1? You can expect many more cheat sheets to come!  'Til next time, view the illustration of this set below.

Brown sugar exfoliating scrub

Yup. That, my friends, is concealer

Remember Michelle Phan's brush cleaning tutorial? 

L-R: gel liner and liquid liner

Tinted moisturizer. 2 parts moisturizer and 1 part foundation

L-R: Lip gloss, cheek stain, orange corrector and highlighter