Lips Lips Lips

Lipstick colors application is the funnest and easiest part of face makeup partly because there are not as many 'rules' to follow and because the color you put on your lips changes your appearance instantly. You can transform your look from natural pinks to dramatic reds just by changing colors.

Mix and Match Lip Colors

You can even make your own unique color combinations by mixing lipstick colors on your lips to define your mouth, add color to your face and balance your overall look. That way you can customize your lip color to create the effect you want and to match different clothes.

So, with so many choices there is no need to restrict yourself to wearing the same lipstick colors all the time. Your lip colors can range from natural looking pinks and beiges, to oranges, to dramatic and elegant reds. And, as a finishing touch, make sure that your lipstick goes with your blusher.

When it Comes to Lipstick, Pigment is King...

The main ingredient in lipstick is pigment, which provides the color. It also contains oils to moisturize and spread the lipstick colors; and wax to keep its shape. The ratios of these ingredients may vary but the more pigment it has, the more it dries your lips. And quality does not depend on price, you can find good quality lipstick at cheap prices.

Lipstick is available in stick, cream and frosted formulas, and in a wide range of colors. Some can last several hours of wear before having to reapply. Some lipsticks offer high solid coverage, while others are sheer and natural. Since, some formulas may feel dry on the lips, you may want to test them before you purchase. The five basic types are sheer, shimmer, cream, matte, and long-lasting.

It's all about the eyes

SOPHISTICATED

1. Apply a light eyeshadow over your entire eyelid from lash line to eyebrow bone, but not beyond.
2. Define the crease of your eyelid using a medium or dark shade. The deeper the shade, the more dramatic look.
3. To open up your eyes so that they appear livelier, place a dot of a light shade in the inner corner of each eye.

Tip: When choosing an eyeshadow shade, keep in mind that a pastel shade will look softer while a darker shade will appear more dramatic when applied.

ELEGANT

1. To create a gorgeous nighttime look, use light, medium and dark eyeshadow shades in graduated tones. Apply the dark shade along your lash line, the medium shade on the crease, and a light shade up to the eyebrow bone but not beyond. Soften and blend any hard edges so one color seems to melt into the next.
2. To open up your eyes so that they appear livelier, place a dot of a light shadow in the inner corner of each eye.
3. For a sexy, smoky effect, trace the upper and lower lashes with a dark shadow then smudge with a blending brush. To optimize the look, this can also be done over eyeliner.

NATURAL

Tip: For a natural-looking eyeliner and the illusion of lusher, fuller lashes, use a dark brown eye pencil and carefully press a series
of dots between your lashes following your lash line.

Tip: For the sophisticated look, draw a smooth fine line alone the top lashes.

Tip: To create the dramatic look, draw a line inside your lash line (as close to the lashes as possible), then along the top of the lash line.

BRIGHTER

Apply one thin coat of mascara to both upper and lower lashes. For a more dramatic look, allow first coat to dry completely then apply a second coat concentrating on the base of the lash.

Tip: For a real eye-opener, use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. Curl gently at the base of the lashes, but never beyond the center of the lashes. Don't clamp down on one spot for too long or you'll get a sharp angle.

Tip: Don't pump the applicator wand in the mascara tube. Doing so will trap air inside and cause the mascara to dry out. Instead, twist the wand to collect more mascara on the brush.

DEFINED

1. Brush your eyebrows straight up with an eyebrow brush. Using small straight scissors, carefully trim any hairs that are curly or too long. Then brush the brows back into their natural shape.
2. Hold a pencil along the side of your nose to ensure that the inner edge of your brow lines up with the inside corner of your eye.
3. Move the pencil so that it intersects with your iris. The arch of your brow should line up with the pencil.
4. Angle the pencil from the outside edge of your nose to the outer corner of your eye to determine where your brow should end.
5. Tweeze where necessary and fill in with a soft pencil or powder.
6. Brush with an eyebrow brush and apply eyebrow gel to keep strays in place. You're done!

Imperfections? GONE!

Hide imperfections
Concealer is more dense than foundation, allowing fuller coverage of trouble spots and hyperpigmentation (red areas). It can be used over foundation or on it own, and has greater staying power. Remember, a little goes a long way!

1. Since the skin under your eyes is more transparent, it tends to look dark, especially at the inner corner near the bridge of the nose. To even out the tone, concealer is a must. Using liquid concealer, gently pat over dark under-eye circles (don't sweep it across the entire area), then blend with your ring finger.
2. To cover trouble spots and imperfections, apply a thicker cream concealer onto the blemish or flaw. Then lightly press with a makeup sponge.

Tip: Choose the shade of your concealer carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches your skin tone or one shade lighter. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look on your skin in natural light.

Tip: Prepare your skin with a light SPF moisturizer before applying concealer for a smoother application

Flawless look

secret to a natural, flawless look
1. Apply foundation to your cheeks, forehead, and chin using a foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingertips. Blend the foundation all the way to your natural hairline with long, light strokes.
2. Continue blending over the jawline and onto your neck to achieve a natural, seamless look. Check your face and neck in natural light to make sure the foundation is completely blended in all areas.
3. If under-eye circles or red spots remain, do not add more foundation; it can look heavy and cakey. Instead, try a concealer.

Tip: Choose the shade of your foundation carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches the tone of your jawline exactly. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look in natural light.

Tip: Begin by applying a small amount of foundation then increase amount to achieve the degree of coverage that suits your skin.

Tip: For daytime, mix your foundation with a light SPF moisturizer before applying for a smoother, more sheer application.

Basics

To prepare a smooth canvas for your makeup, always start off with clean, moisturized skin. You'll find that your makeup glides on and blends more easily.

1. Keep your skin free of buildup by using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night. When cleansing your face, do so gently in upward motion stokes - do not tug, pull or scrub too hard to prevent irritation.
2. Freshen up your skin with a toner containing ingredients that suit your skin type.
3. Indulge your skin and keep it hydrated with a moisturizer that is compatable with your skin type. Make sure your daytime moisturizer contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
4. Treat yourself to an at-home-facial 2 to 3 times a week. Use a mild cleanser, then exfoliate with a gentle scrub that contains exfoliants that are round and non-abrasive.
5. Apply a facial mask after exfoliating. Rinse off thoroughly and get a good night's sleep!

Tip: Even when you're steering clear of the sun, or it appears to be a cloudy day, always be sure your makeup foundation or moisturizer contains SPF 15 or higher.