Every woman can look her best with just a few simple make-up tips. In determining which make-up application is best for you, consider your skin tone, face shape, profession, lifestyle, and how much time you have each morning.

Foundation is the basis of every make-up application. After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, you should match a foundation to your skin. Foundation that’s too dark can create an orange-y or streaky look; foundation that’s too light can create a washed out appearance. Concealer is also a great asset. As with foundation, get a concealer that matches your skin tone, yet provides maximum coverage.

Determining which shade of blush is best for you depends mainly on your skin tone. First, you should decide whether you have cool tones or warm tones. An easy way to figure this out is to ask yourself what you wear the most: black or brown? Pink or orange? White or cream? If you chose black, pink and white, then most likely you have cool tones. If you chose brown, orange, and cream, most likely you have warm tones. Some people can wear warm and cool tones equally. If you have cool skin tones, light pink and mauve blushes are very attractive. For warm tones, peach, brown, and orange blush tends to look best. To apply blush, try to stay two fingers’ widths away from the nose, and apply blush toward the ear. Also, blush can be applied on the cheekbone for a natural look.

Lipstick is an area where dramatic looks can shine. Again, determine if you have warm or cool tones, and pick shades accordingly. If your lips are full, a lip liner can help make the lips appear smaller. If you have smaller lips, it’s best to avoid lip liner. Also decide whether you prefer matte or glossy finishes.

Most women want to know which shades of eye shadow will look best on them, and they’d like to know how to apply it. First, you have to go back to the rule of warm and cool tones. You also should consider your current hair color and what you’re wearing. Then, choose three coordinating eye colors that include a light, medium, and darker shade. Use the lightest color first directly under the arch of the eyebrow, which illuminates the eye and makes it appear larger. Next, use the medium shade all over the eyelid. Lastly, use the darker color on the outside corner of your eye in a sideways “v” shape right below the bone. If your eyes are set far apart, use the darker color on the inside corner of the eye to draw the eyes closer together.

After the eye shadow, choose an eyeliner that complements the shadows you chose. Brown eyeliner is more natural, gray creates the smoky eye effect, and black is more bold and noticeable. There are also colored eyeliners such as blue, purple, and green that can be used for dramatic evening looks. To make the eye appear larger, use liner only across the bottom lid or only across the top—not both. You also can put liner halfway across the bottom, in the corner, and halfway across the top to enlarge the eye. If you have large eyes, it may work to put liner all around the eye. Then, apply mascara to both the top and bottom lashes. TPW