"Skin Care"

Go Flawless.......
1. Avoid full foundation coverage

Few people need to apply foundation all over the face. Simply apply where you have uneven skin tone (usually along your nose and on the skin). In wintertime, if your cheeks tend to get ruddy, apply there as well.


2. Consider a tinted moisturizer Foundations can go on too thick for some people. Tinted moisturizers provide a lighter coverage. My absolute all-time favorite is Laura Mercier. http://www.shopnbc.com

3. Blend foundation correctly Always start in the center of your face then blend foundation outward. Blend foundation from face to neck well, otherwise people will see the line where you stopped giving you a 'mask face.'

4. Pick the proper color and formula for your skin type Choose a color that's as close to your natural skin tone as possible. Never try to deepen your complexion with foundation, it will look very obvious. But do consider two shades of foundation: One for summer when skin is naturally darker, and one for winter when skin is lighter. Also, selecting the right formula for your skin type is key. For oily skin, go for a matte foundation. Dry skin? Try a hydrating formula. One last tip: It's a myth to test foundation colors on the back of your hand. The best spot is actually along your jawline, according to Allure's Linda Wells. http://www.shopnbc.com

5. Apply concealer BEFORE foundation Once you apply concealer, you won't need as much foundation, according to makeup artist Bobbi Brown in the April 2006 issue of O magazine. Use concealer under eyes, along the nose and one the chin.

6. Use a sponge or brush OR your fingers There's really no right or wrong way to apply foundation. It's just by preference. Some makeup artists swear by foundation brushes to apply foundation. A brush allows you to get into all the nooks, crannies and pores on your face.

To do this, put a glob of foundation or tinted moisturizer on the back of your hand and dab in a synthetic brush (I like MAC brushes) then apply to face. Other makeup artists believe using your fingers warms up the foundation, which helps it melt into your skin better. A sponge provides a great even coverage. It's up to you which you prefer.

7. Don't throw out wrong-toned foundations and concealers Finding the right color foundation and concealer can be daunting, which is why I suggest you get professional help at Sephora or a makeup counter at a department store. This way you can try before you buy. But if you do have a few foundations and concealers that are just a bit off, do like the makeup artists and blend a couple of mismatched colors for the perfect one. http://www.shopnbc.com

8. How to conceal dark undereye circles According to makeup artist Anthea King in the March 2006 issue of InStyle magazine, you want to neutralize dark undereye circles with peach- or yellow-tone concealers. Dab concealer on the inner corner of the eye by tapping it into place (never run a concealer on like you would sunscreen or foundation). Great concealers for undereye circles include Sue Devitt Automatic Camouflage concealer: I also love Benefit Lemon Aid Concealer

9. Don't be afraid of bronzers Nothing warms the face more than a bronzer. Make sure to use a big brush (I love MAC brushes) and a light touch. Apply to all the spots where the sun hits: Forehead, cheeks and nose. For more 'pop', blend a creamy blush on top. I use Laura Mercier Golden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc If you have a yellow complexion, try Laura Mercier Pink Mosaic Another good one is Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

10. Avoid 'cake face' Oily face? Make sure to blot oil before powdering or your skin will look cakey. Try a powder-free blotting sheet. Here's a list of a great blotting sheets from cheap to somewhat steep

11. Set makeup with a primer Primers are a relatively new 'must-have' trend in the beauty world. They act like spackle: They moisturize, plump the skin and fill in any fine lines, pores and wrinkles so your foundation won't settle into them. At first I was skeptical but then a makeup artist talked me into the beauty editor's All-Time Favorite foundation primer from Laura Mercier. Cha-ching! The primer is oil-free, which means it contains no oils, a bonus for my oily skin. I bought it and use it daily underneath my tinted moisturizer (I love both Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown) Another great primer is by Bodyography .I've tried and loved Lumene Beauty Base Face Makeup Base, which is less pricey than the above two

12. Natural oils are not bad Speaking of oily skin, I'm no fan of the cakey, too-powdered look. Don't be afraid of your skin's natural oils, I prefer my face to have some sheen, which I think looks more 'dewy' -- plus, keep in mind oily skin tends to develop fewer lines than dry skin.

If you have oily skin, apply an oil-free primer before your foundation to keep makeup in place(see tip #2 above), then powder only the nose and chin. Keep a pack of blotting tissues in your purse to blot excessive oils (see tip #1 above). A great powder that works on skin colors from fair skin to dark is Three Custom Color Specialists Mini Press Powder. Makeup artist Matin Maulawizada swears by this powder in Elle Magazine http://www.shopnbc.com

13. Moisturize before applying concealer Concealer on dry skin tends to settle into fine lines so be sure to moisturize first. This 'plumps up' the skin.

14. Get rid of the 'ashy' look If you have dark skin, you may notice your skin can get ashy. Combat it with a cream highlighter. Apply concealer to upper corners of lips where skin tends to be darker.

15. Tone down ruddy skin If you have ruddy skin, tone it down with a yellow- or green-based foundation. Pink-based foundations and tinted moisturizers will only worsen your red complexion. Also, try yellow-based blushes, such as apricot,m instead of a pink tone.

16. Get rid of that 'hung-over' look New moms who work and don't want to look exhausted, students out partying or studying all night and anyone who suffers from the 'hung-over' look would benefit from Orlane's anti-fatigue serum. Makeup artists use this miracle serum on models because it boosts circulation and gives color to ashen skin

17. Highlighters add depth to skin I love the way highlighters can minimize your worst features while enhancing others. Apply just above the eyes for a wide-awake look and use to contour around the cheeks. A makeup artist's favorite is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat concealer. Makeup artist Jo Strettel swears by this in Elle Magazine because it's easy to use: You simply paint it on the face

18. Create instant cheekbones Add contour and depth to cheekbones by applying a bronzing powder over cheeks, forehead and nose (where the sun naturally hits), then applying a cream blush on cheeks over this. Instead of applying blush into the apples of your cheeks, dot the cream along your cheekbone, then blend in well. You can also skip the bronze and blush and opt for a contour powder like Il-Makiage Taupe.

19. Darken your ultra-white skin Does your skin get super white? Add color and shimmer to it with Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse or multi-purpose oil. Christina Ricci loves the gold shimmer http://www.shopnbc.com

20. Yes, everyone can wear blush I have ruddy skin and thought I never needed blush and the makeup artist at Bobbi Brown agreed, until shwomene applied a tinted moisturizer first. The moisturizer toned down my ruddiness enough that she NEEDED to add a blush which subsequently gave me a healthy flush.