6. APPLY LIPSTICK, EYELINER, AND BLUSH

Lipstick and lipliner

We're clumping these two lessons together because lipstick and lipliner are codependent.

  1. Condition your lips with lip balm (avoid chapstick and other waxy substances) and let it fully absorb before applying color on your lips.

  2. Now you can choose to either apply the liner along the natural shape of your lips first, then fill in the rest of your lips with lipstick, or applying the lipstick first, then topping it off with liner. If you have a problem with getting the liner to blend with the lipstick, apply the lipstick first.

  3. When lining your lips, start at one corner of your lower lip and work your way towards the center. Use short, even strokes and never line directly onto your skin - always have the line touching the edge of your lips. Then line your top lip, concentrating on the small arches at the center of your upper lip, making sure they're defined but not too pointy and freaky-looking.

  4. Use a lip brush or your pinky finger to blend lipstick and lipliner together. You should not be able to pinpoint where the two connect. Blending will also help keep the color on your lips longer.

  5. "Blot" your lips by lightly clamping them down on tissue and releasing immediately.

  6. Another tip to keep you from "eating" all your lipstick is alternately applying color and blotting it. This will create layers of color. (But don't apply more than three layers or your lips will look frighteningly thick.)

Blush

Never forget the purpose of applying blush; many women mess up on blush application because they think that redder is better - not so. Redder actually means faker, and the point of putting on blush is to look as if you are blushing, not like you're wearing blush. So always aim for a healthy, vibrant glow, not clown cheeks. If you have a hard time telling the two apart, consult a friend before making a public appearance.

  1. Powder blush generally comes in small compact cases with little brushes. We recommend that you invest in a large and poofy brush with bristles at least an inch long. The effect is a more natural look.

  2. With blush application, you have two options: daywear and nightwear. Daywear looks more natural, and you would apply the blush directly on the "apples" of your cheeks (that's the balled up part of your cheeks when you give a big, cheesy smile). Nightwear is more dramatic, and it requires sweeping the blush along the bottom of your apples, towards your temples.

  3. With both powder and gel/cream blush, one thin layer is usually enough. (Remember: clowns frighten people.) At night, you have our permission to apply a second (very thin) layer for a more dramatic look. No more than that!

  4. Here's a fun tip: for subtly sparkly cheeks, swipe a thin layer of shiny powdered pink eyeshadow over your powder blush. (Don't try this with gel/cream blush or it will come out streaky.)