Being an expert at applying makeup does not have to be an all day affair or even require twenty different products.  I have a chest full of sparkley shadows, creamy foundations and hot lipsticks that would last me the rest of my life if their shelf life could only be as long as mine.  The every day staples that I utilize are not costly or high maintenance.  There are times when you need to be more dressed up and this is when you should delve into different options, but for everyday wear and tear, most of us are in a hurry.

I look for products that say “oil free” and “non comedogenic.”  I have more of an oily complexion and don’t need the added oils.  You may have a different complexion with different needs, but if your skin is sensitive like mine you should look for those things as well.

Things I never run out of:

Neutrogena Acne Prone oil free cleanser.  This does the trick.  Cleanses, rinses nicely and treats blemishes.

Neutrogena oil free toner.  I like using an astringent because it creates a nice canvas for my makeup to play on.

Aveeno spf 55 lotion.  Never underestimate the sun- or absence of sun.  I tanned for years and now I truly regret it.  It is extremely aging to your skin and an spf should be applied daily.

Aveeno eye treatment to brighten dark circles.  Why?  Because this moisturizes under the eye where many wrinkles are possible and also because I never get enough sleep

Primer.  Most brands now are coming out with what they call a foundation primer.  It is not just an excuse to get you to buy a new product.  I have tried it and this actually helps conceal imperfections before the foundation gets to it, it also creates a beautiful canvas for the foundation to lay upon and helps your makeup last longer throughout the day.  Ever been out all day and felt like your makeup was melting or evaporating?  This actually helps.  I have tried a few brands.  Rimmel has a primer that is decent.  If you want to spend a little more money and buy the best, Makeup Forever has a great primer and it is completely worth it.  You can find that at Sephora.com.  I apply primer with clean fingertips, gently patting the primer onto the skin.  Do not rub this and massage it into your face.  It is makeup not massage oil.

If you use the primer, you can then go directly to the Foundation.  Don’t bother with a concealer.

Foundations vary and you should always have a nice one.  If you use a shitty foundation, don’t expect great results.  The finishes also vary.  Some are more shiny, some more sheer, some more matte.  Some you can apply sheer, but achieve a studio finish.  If you are buying from the drugstore, I like Neutrogena acne treatment.  If you are spending more, try Trucco Sebatian (my favorite) or Makeup Forever.  When you are applying foundation use a makeup sponge.  Do not reuse these!  Buy a package of them at the drugstore and after each use dispose of them.  They are inexpensive and there is no need to use bacteria ridden sponges which can irritate your skin.  Dampen the sponge with a little water (I use a spray bottle) and apply foundation with light patting motions sweeping upward.  Imagine trying to give yourself a face lift.

Do not ever underestimate your eyebrows.  To have none would look ridiculous.  Many people overpluck them and my preference it a tailored more prominent brow.  Tweeze hairs that are out of place, but remember when you pluck or wax, the hair will not always come back.  I have an aunt who has no eyebrows from consistently plucking them all away in the 60’s and 70’s.  You can use a pencil, cream, or wax, or shadow with wax.  Pencil gives a definite line so you have to be careful when blending otherwise you could look too Mommy Dearest.  If you have a shadow that is a nice shade you could use that for your brows- not just eye shadow.  I always choose a color that is either the color of my hair, or a little darker.  Fore example, even when my hair was blonde, I still opted for a darker shade because it just framed my face better.

Eyeshadow come in many forms.  There are pressed powders, pigments, creams, liquids and more.  I like powders and pigments.  I hate creams and liquids because even when they promise to not crease, they still do.  I like a light shadow with a little shimmer for my brow bone and for a basic every day face.  Mac Vanilla is my choice because for it’s cost, it lasts forever and only a little is needed.  It is lovely by itself or you can layer it and it transforms into a nice evening shadow that you can add darker colors to.

Liners are one of my favorite tools.  A little lines the eye and gets you notices, but you can really make a dramatic statement with liner.  For everyday use I like Prestige liquid black liner, but black is a dramatic and harsh statement especially past a certain age.  Browns are very forgiving and very complementary to most people.  If a liquid liner is difficult for you to use, try a soft pencil, but don’t skip it all together.  Coppers are nice for most eye colors as well.

Mascara comes in many different colors.  I am a basic black kind of girl.  Browns are forgiving and navy blues really help the white of your eye stand out.  Waterproof or regular?  I like waterproof for the bottom lashes and regular for the top.  If I am in for a long day or evening I use only waterproof.  It took me a long time to get used to using waterproof because it is a little more work to get it off.  The plus of using this, is you don’t have to worry about it creeping down your face later in the evening.  Ever looked in the mirror after being out for a few hours and wondered how those black lines appeared under your eyes without liner?  Well, give it a shot.  There are a million mascaras out there that promise to do many things.  There are also a million models with gorgeous fake lashed modeling mascara.  Hmmm.  I go for the fake upper lash and Mabeline waterproof mascara.  Very basic.

I love blushers.  I think a lot of people skip blush because they think it will make their face look fat, but if you are having a drab day this can really bring your face to life.  I make a fish face (to find the hollow of my cheeks) and lightly apply with a brush a warm tan color upwards towards the outer edge of my eyebrows.  This will make my cheekbones stand out a bit more than they would on there own.  Then i choose a color like a soft pink or peach and apply that to the apple of my cheeks.  You can also use highlighters, but be careful because shimmery powders and liquids can help flaws stand out.  I like powders more than creams because I already have an oily complexion.  If you have more of a normal skin type opt for a cream and play around with it.  A nice liquid blush is by a brand called Benefit.  The product named Benetint is beautiful and you can also use this is a lip stain.  Genius!

Lips should always be moisturized!  Don’t let them go crusty and chapped.  Who will want to kiss you then?  I like to go with either a dramatic eye with a neutral and understated lip or a understated eye with a dramatic lip.  Glosses are nice to help plumpen up the lip.  Wet N’ Wild has a nice plumping gloss- the best one I have found from the drug store and it is cheap!  In other words, I will not have on false lashes with black liner and green shadow with gold flecks and wear a serious red lip.  It looks so over done and will take away from the eye.  If you go with an understated lip, you can find shades that are matte and so neutral it will almost look bare.  For an instant pick me up red lips always make me feel glamorous and there are so many different shades that there will be one perfect for you.  Be careful if you are going for a glossy red lip because you don’t want bleeding to occur.  I sometimes you a liner and sort of smudge it into my lips as opposed to using a red lipstick because I know it will stay without me touching it up or worrying about it.  Prestige has a nice red/orange called Poppy.  Super bright and not for everyone, but I love it.

Do have fun with your makeup and see what a difference it can make.  The idea isn’t to look really done up, but to shine a light on your best features.  Don’t let it do the opposite because that is possible as well.  Keep your makeup clean and always dispose of your makeup sponges daily.  Keep your brushed clean.  Cleanse your face each night from makeup.  No matter how tired you are never ever skip this step.  Use eye makeup remover to rid the liner and mascara and a cleanser and toner and moisturizer for the rest of your face.