We've all got people we want to impress, and unfortunately we can't do the same thing over and over; applying make up is something that needs to be done in a way that will end up with us pleasing a wide variety of people, not the least of which is ourselves! Applying makeup isn't that hard, but just like learning to draw or paint, learning the essentials is the absolute best way to start.

Concealer, the Foundation's Foundation

After you've washed your face well (MAC makeup has some truly wonderful products for this purpose) you'll want to think about concealer, before you even start putting on the foundation. Concealer is all important because it's really the part of your makeup that will hide blemishes and make those dark circles under your eyes go away. When we work hard and get stressed, our faces show it and concealer is our first line of defense. Your concealer should just be a shade or two lighter than your foundation and after it goes on, applying makeup over it is a breeze!

Blending For a Softer Look

One way to avoid having your makeup look very artificial and plastic is to make sure that everything is well-blended. There should be no harsh lines at all and to accomplish that, you need to match your colors well to begin with. While your makeup can be as bold as you want it to be, you should still make sure that the colors harmonize appropriately. One way to do this is to make sure that you can match up the underlying colors. Dark maroon for instance, has a bluish undertone that might clash with warmer tans and beiges.

Tanning For Fun

If its the dead of winter and you want to look a little bit more sun-kissed, it's easy! Applying makeup is a transformation after all, and an easy one. Use sunny colors like wheat and golden brown shades on your cheeks and lips. It's not important to cover your whole face with bronzer or a sunny foundation, and it is especially important to remember that blending is key. A strong line between normal flesh and skin that has makeup on it will leave you looking like you fought with a tanning bed and lost!

Condition Report!

One thing that you need to keep in mind is what kind of shape your face is in. Have you recently had a dermabrasion treatment or a chemical peel? It is important to think about this and to ask your dermatologist if you are unsure. Applying makeup to a face that shouldn't take it can be disastrous and leave you with inflammations and skin blemishes. One exception to this, of course, is mineral makeup. Mineral makeup, with their gentler ingredients, are usually ideal if you need makeup after peels and they can be quite good for the healing process!

Say Cheese!

One reason that you might be applying makeup is that you have a photo opportunity coming up. Of course you want to look your best, so there are a few makeup tips you should keep in mind. The first and possibly most important is that the flash of a camera will pick up the red tones in your skin. You don't want to look like a pizza so make sure you use a more yellowish foundation that you might otherwise. You should also avoid any makeup with zinc, as it will end up making you you look ghostlike and pale!

Peter Vaughn
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