- Use concealer under the eyes and on reddened or darkened areas to even skin tone. Use the highlighter around the eye area, at the brow line and around lips, the sides of the nose and in the cleft of the chin. Gently stroke it on with a makeup brush specially designed for concealers and highlighters (an acrylic artist's brush works great). Then blend with a sponge. You'll notice how your face begins to brighten. Now you will need less foundation.
- Use a sheer foundation that matches your skin tone, but use a very small amount, as heavy foundation will accentuate imperfect skin. Use a cream or stick foundation for normal or dry skin and matte liquid for oily skin. A good makeup artist's rule is to apply about five drops of foundation to your face
-- one on each cheek, the point of the nose, the middle of the forehead and the chin-- then put the container away and blend what is on the face.
- Experiment with lashes to open the eye and add drama. A great way to get that "A-list" star look is to use a strip of faux lashes or individual lashes. This is something you want to spend time practicing before your wedding day. To get the most natural look, pick lashes with an invisible band and trim them to the length of your eye. "Many professional makeup artists prefer individual lashes," says Van Swearingen, "as they look the most natural. However, lash strips are easier to apply when you are designing your own makeup." When applying individual eyelashes, pull them in at the outer corners to "lift" the eye rather than applying directly to the lash line. Always use black glue.
- For a youthful glow (if you're under 40), you may want to try the new creamy luminescent shadows, blushes and highlight sticks. I use two shades that work on any skin tone: mauve and golden bronze. The lighter mauve color is used to highlight the top of the cheekbone and brow bone, and as a light eye shadow base. The bronze color has many uses, from contouring the cheekbone and jaw line to bronzing the décolleté and adding depth to the eyelids. Don't forget to apply a "gleaming" blush to the apples of the cheeks.
Choosing a Concealer and Highlighter for Your Skin Tone