Mary,

- Chantelle

Dear Chantelle,

I'm glad you asked, Chantelle! You know, Cindy Crawford once said, "I don't think makeup is rocket science." It might not be rocket science, but it's not always as intuitive as you might think, either. But whether you're just starting to wear makeup or you want to revitalize your look, you can really bring your face to life with these simple, helpful makeup tips.

First, before applying any makeup, make sure that you have washed and moisturized your face. Try our Velvet Effect Foaming Wash gel. It's essential to begin with a fresh, clean canvas. It's also important to choose high-quality products to make sure you are helping your skin and not hurting it. No matter how much make up you wear, it can't camouflage poorly cared-for skin!

When applying makeup, start with a layer of foundation, but don't overdo it! Choose a shade that matches the natural tones of your skin. And make sure to blend completely so that you don't have any unsightly lines. Blend especially around the jaw line — don't apply foundation to your neck, but blend it in at the jaw. Blending is particularly important for foundation, but blush and eye shadow should also be blended evenly in order to keep that beautiful, natural look.

After applying foundation, you will probably want to apply a light dusting of powder over your entire face. However, if you have fairly dry skin, you may wish to just brush powder on your nose or other shiny areas. Applying a light coating of powder gives your face a more matte finish and helps prevent oil and shine throughout the day.

Next, add your favorite shade of blush. Follow the general curve of the cheek bone, beginning at about the middle of the cheek and parallel to the center of the eye and brushing upward. Blend if needed with powder. This gives your cheeks some color and makes your face look more healthy and natural.

Complete the look by adding a little more color with a matching (meaning pink, peach, or red — not purple!) shade of lipstick. Keep things subtle and cute during the day with lighter colors. Then, for those evenings out on the town, use darker, deeper colors, and your friends will know you're out to have a good time! But be careful because darker lipstick makes you look older. Older women should generally choose lipstick in lighter shades. Lip gloss is in, too. Gloss makes your lips look fuller and shinier and makes you look younger — it's great for younger and more mature women alike. And, if your lipstick tends to run or feather at the edges of your mouth, you can try a lip liner or a lip primer, which will help to keep your lipstick right where it should be — on your lips!

Whether it's blush, lipstick, or lip liner, you can apply your makeup to look more subtle or dramatic, depending on your preference or what plans you have for the day. Makeup can also reflect how you feel — bold, subdued, playful, etc.

No matter what the occasion, makeup — when done correctly — can really help to show off your natural beauty. It is fun to experiment with different colors and application techniques, so don't be afraid to try new things — remember, practice makes perfect! So don't worry — if you make a mistake, just remove the offending color and start over. You'll get the hang of it in no time! Just have fun with it!