Photoshop Elements > Retouching >

Base & Blush Makeup

Base Makeup Blush Makeup

You can apply a base and blush makeup.

Be sure to check off as you go along.

Preparation

1) Preserve your original file.

If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.

2) Create a Background copy layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.

Base Makeup

You'll apply base makeup to the entire photograph, and will then remove the makeup where it's not needed.

Base Makeup Color

1) Select the Eyedropper tool.

2) In the options bar, set the Sample Size to 5 by 5 Average.

3) Click on the face to select the color for the base makeup.

The foreground color will change to the color you selected.

You can also select a base makeup color from a skin tone color chart.

Go to Skin Tone Samples.

Or, you can create a color table.

Go to Custom Swatches.

Solid Color Adjustment Layer

1) Create a Solid Color adjustment layer.

The Color Picker window will open.

Click OK.

The new layer will be called Color Fill 1 by default.

The layer will be filled with the foreground color, the color you selected.

2) Rename the layer if you wish.

3) Lower the opacity of the layer to about 25%.

Lowering the opacity allows some of the skin texture to blend with the base makeup.

Make a Mask

1) Make sure the Color Fill 1 layer is active (highlighted).

2) Make sure the foreground color is black.

If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.

3) Select the Brush tool.

Where you paint with black, the base makeup color will be concealed.

If you make a mistake, press x to make white the foreground color.

Then, erase the mistake by painting with white.

Be sure to press x to change the foreground color back to black.

4) Use a non-feathered brush to quickly remove the base makeup color from non-facial areas.

If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.

5) Use a feathered brush to remove the base makeup color near the face.

Note the mask thumbnail in the Solid Color adjustment layer.

6) Use a feathered brush to remove the base makeup color near the eyes, lips, and teeth.

Note the mask thumbnail in the Color Fill 1 layer.

7) Restore skin texture, if needed or desired.

Go to Restore Skin Texture.

Blush Makeup

You'll apply blush to the cheeks.

Blank Layer

1) Create a blank layer.

2) Rename the layer as Blush.

3) Reduce the opacity of the Blush layer to about 50%.

Blush Color

1) Select the Eyedropper tool.

2) In the options bar, set the Sample Size to 5 by 5 Average.

3) Click on the face to select the color for the blush, such as a lip.

The foreground color will change to the color you selected.

You can also select the blush color from a skin tone color chart.

Go to Skin Tone Samples.

Or, you can create a color table.

Go to Custom Swatches.

Optional - Increase the

Saturation of the Selected Color

If you wish, you can increase the saturation (vividness) of the selected color.

1) Double click the foreground color swatch in the lower-right corner of your screen.

The Color Picker window will open.

2) Select S in the HSB section.

3) Click, hold, and drag the slider up to increase the saturation.

Original - Saturation 45%

New - Saturation 65%

The selected color, and the new color, are displayed on top of each other for comparison.

If you haven't already done so, go to Color Picking.

Optional - Darken the Selected Color

Or, if needed, you can darken (decrease the brightness) the selected color.

1) Double click the foreground color swatch in the lower-right corner of your screen.

The Color Picker window will open.

2) Select B in the HSB section.

3) Click, hold, and drag the slider down to decrease the brightness.

The selected color, and the new color, are displayed on top of each other for comparison.

Again, if you haven't already done so, go to Color Picking.

Apply the Blush Color

1) Make sure the Blush layer is active (highlighted).

2) Select the Brush tool.

3) Use a feathered brush to apply the blush color to the cheeks.

You can also use the airbrush.

Click the Set to enable airbrush capabilities icon in the options bar of the Brush tool.

Be sure to deselect the airbrush icon when finished.

4) Restore skin texture, if needed or desired.

Go to Restore Skin Texture.

Adjustment Layers

You can change the retouching on the Blush layer with an adjustment layer.

1) Create a Levels adjustment layer or Hue/Saturation adjustment layer above Blush layer.

2) Group the adjustment layer with Blush layer.

If you haven't already done so, go to How to Group.

When grouped, the adjustment layer will only affect the Blush layer.

You can paint a mask with the Brush tool, with black, to block the effect of the adjustment layer, from part of the Blush layer.

Saving the Photograph

If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.