Makeup Tips

The best make-up of all is make-up that doesn't look like make-up. It's so well applied that it can't be seen (at least not by others), yet it still makes you look good, highlighting your best features and cleverly disguising those features you'd rather not draw attention to.

Make-up should always be applied to freshly cleansed skin. This gives you as blank a canvas as possible to work with. If possible, apply make-up in natural light, especially if it's going to be worn in natural light -- make-up you're wearing to the office, for example. If it's not possible to use natural light then use good strong light that won't distort color. This is important so you don't over-apply your make-up and end up looking more clown-like than babe-like!

Make-up brushes are a good investment. Powders and creams can be applied with a little more precision with a brush than with your fingertips. When it comes to foundation, a damp sponge will ensure you get even coverage, whereas using your fingertips can result in your foundation looking streaky. Wash your make-up brushes and sponges regularly in soapy water to ensure they last and you get the best possible performance from them. Brushes and sponges that are clogged with make-up won't give you the best application.

When applying make-up, ensure that your hair isn't in the way -- tie it back or use an Alice band to keep it off your forehead and away from your eyes. Ensure that your skin is clean and well moisturized before you apply your foundation. It's a good idea to wait a few minutes between applying moisturizer and putting on foundation to let your moisturizer properly penetrate your skin. When applying foundation, remember to extend the coverage to just under your chin so as not to end up with two remarkably different skin tones. Using a damp sponge, lightly blend the foundation in to your skin; also apply foundation to your lips as this will act as a base for your lip color when you come to apply it. A light dusting of translucent powder can be applied on top of the foundation to help "set" it and make it last longer.

Blush should be applied to the widest part of your cheek -- the "apple" of your cheek (you can see where this is by smiling into a mirror). Apply blush on the apple of your cheek taking it up along your cheekbone towards your hair line. Cream blush should be applied with a make-up sponge (in the same way foundation is), while powder blush should be applied with a brush. When applying powder with a brush, always gently tap the brush to remove any residue before using it on your face.

Mascara is good for opening up the eyes and drawing attention to them. Before applying mascara, run the wand along a piece of tissue to remove any residue; this will make the application easier and ensure that no clumps of mascara are left on your lashes resulting in a very unnatural appearance! For a smoky-eyed look, run an eye pencil along your lids very close to your lashes, and then blend the color in with a cotton bud to give a "smudged" look. Then apply a dark muddy color with a slight shimmer to your lids. If you opt for this look, keep your lip color to a minimum so that your eyes and lips aren't competing with each other; (conversely, if you want to play up your lips, then use a bold, striking lip color and use a natural matte shade on your eyes).

When applying lip color, firstly outline your lips with a lip pencil in a shade that's very close to the color you'll be using on your lips. If you outline your lips in a much darker color, it will give a very unnatural look.

A woman doesn't need to wear a great deal of make-up to feel -- and look -- a million dollars. Keep it simple and with these few basic tips everyone will see you look great, they just won't know why!