Nigerian beauty and lifestyle influencer Dimma Umeh has shared her expert advice on how to instantly improve your makeup application. With over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, Umeh is a trusted voice for many Nigerian women, known for her practical and realistic tutorials.
Smart Skin Preparation is Non-Negotiable
According to Dimma Umeh, the foundation of any great makeup look begins long before the foundation itself. Proper skin preparation is the most critical step, and she is adamant that moisturising is essential for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. Hydrated skin creates a smooth canvas, allowing foundation and concealer to blend seamlessly and wear more evenly throughout the day.
Following moisturiser, she recommends using a primer suited to your specific skin type. This is particularly important in Nigeria's often hot and humid climate, as a good primer helps prevent makeup from slipping or fading. The goal is to find a product that works efficiently, potentially serving both the face and eyes to simplify your routine.
Precision Application for Concealer and Contour
Umeh advocates moving away from heavy, outdated techniques. For concealer, she suggests a strategic, targeted approach. Using a concealer only two shades lighter than your skin tone, apply it precisely where needed, rather than blanketing the entire under-eye area. This method creates a lifted effect without a cakey appearance. She emphasises blending with a damp beauty sponge, noting that this step will quickly reveal if your skin was not properly moisturised.
When it comes to contour and blush, placement is everything. A common mistake is applying contour too low on the cheeks. Umeh recommends using a cream product and placing it slightly higher on the cheekbone for a natural, lifted look. Blush should be applied with similar precision using a flat-topped brush, avoiding broad, messy swipes. After contour and blush, she uses a brighter concealer (four to five shades lighter) in a small triangle under the eyes to soften shadows and enhance the lifted effect.
Intentional Setting for Long-Lasting Wear
The final stages are what lock in the look. Dimma Umeh is intentional about setting powder, preferring a powder puff for the under-eye area to prevent creasing. She then sets cream contour with bronzer, using darker shades on the temples and cheekbones and a lighter one on the nose for dimension.
A light dusting of finishing powder blurs harsh lines, but she avoids the blush area to keep cheeks vibrant. To ensure longevity, she sets cream blush with a complementary powder blush. The final, unifying step is a quality setting spray that melts all the products together, removing any powdery finish and creating a seamless, skin-like appearance that lasts.
Dimma Umeh's philosophy proves that elevated makeup is not about more products or complicated steps. It's about smart, strategic application, understanding placement, and allowing well-prepped skin to shine through. Her five tips offer a clear roadmap for anyone in Nigeria looking to refine their daily makeup routine with noticeable results.
