THE right cosmetics applied correctly can add — the finishing touches to your looks. You don't need a lot of expensive makeup in a variety of colours to bring out the best in your face; a few well chosen ones for different occasions and the right equip ment to apply them will servo you much better. You can use makeup to achieve a natural look and enhance your facial features, and you can camou-%any facial flaws you are

>py with. Learning to use cosmetics correctly takes some time; you need to practice to achieve the look you want.

.If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, look for cosmetics that are hypoallergenic to reduce the chances of a reaction occurring. Never use anyone else's makeup, especially eye makeup and lipsticks. Make sure that your fingers and hands are clean before applying cosmetics, and wash your sponges, brushes and applicators regularly. Since heat, light and moisture can all damage cosmetics, It is best to store them in a drawer or cosmetic bag. It also means they are in one place when you need them.

Makeup Equipment

Using the right equipment will ensure that your makeup looks as professional as it can. You should have:

• Contour brushes to apply powder, blushers and shaders.

• Eye shadow brushes or sponge tipped applicators for powdered shadows. You will need one for each colour of shadow.

• Lip brushes, which have a chi sled end, are the most accurate toot for applying lip colour.

• An eyebrow brush to train brows and to brush off excess

• Sponges, cither natural or synthetic, to apply liquid foundation.

• Powder puffs for applying both loose and compressed face

* Cotton wool balls or cotton swabs, for blending colours and shadows.

You should also have on hand eyebrow tweezers, eyelash curlers, and cosmetic pencil sharpeners.

The Basic Makeup

During the day you will probably want a natural, look, and the colours and type of makeup you choose should reflect this. Your basic makeup' will probably include foundation and powder, blush, eye shadow and mascara and lip colour. For night you can use stronger, more vibrant colours that will look more dramatic. You may also want to use frosted or shimmery eye shadow or lip colour, apply a heavier amount of eye pencil or liner, or use a coloured mascara such as rich

blue or vfokl.

After cleansing and moisturizing your face, the first step in doing your makeup is to apply foundation. This provides a base for the rest of your makeup, and also helps protect the skin. A highlighting cream to cover spots or shade away dark skin under the eyes Is ap-plled next. Then apply powder to help set the foundation. Blush comes next, to emphasize the checks. When applying eye makeup, eye shadow goes first, then eyeliner or pencil, and finally mascara. Lip colour should be applied last, as the colour and depth of your lips depends very much on the other colours yOu have chosen and how dramatic your eye makeup is. Often, heavily made up eyes look terrific with a light shade of lip colour, while if you arc going for a more natural look In eye makeup, you can wear a richer, deeper shade of lip colour.

Using Foundation

Natural looking makeup starts with the right foundation to even out skin tone and hide blemishes. The colour of your foundation should match the natural colour of your sklir as closely as possible. To get an accurate match, always test the foundation on your face 1n natural light rather than the' back of your hand. If you are unsure about the colour you should choose, ask the salesperson at the cosmetics counter for advice.

There arc several types of foundation. Liquid foundation, which comes in bottles or jars, gives a light coverage an is the easiest to use. Cream foundations. which usually come in tubes or sticks, arc best for skin

tliai is blemished or ven uneven in tone, since they are much thicker. You Can use foundation to conceal small bk--mlshcs. but if you have scars or birthmarks, use concealing creams designed for the pur|>osc.

Applying Foundation

Your face should be cleansed and moisturized before applying foundation. Place a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand. Using clean fingertips or a dampened sponge, apply the foundation tn even strokes to one side of the face at a IJmc. Start with the forehead and spread it with circular strokes to ensure even application. Work It right up to the hairline, avoiding any harsh lines. Work down from the temple, over the check, and under the eye. Repeal for Ihc other side. Place a dab of foun--dation on each side of the nose, blending carefully tip over the nose and the eyelids. Then cover your chin, lips and jaw-line. blending tn the foundation carefully. Remove any surplus foundation on the neck, then blot all over the face with a tissue.

If you have small spots or dark circles under the eye you want lo hide, a highlighting cream a can be use. Choose a colour only one shade lighter than your own skin tone for the most natural look. You will get the best rcsulls lf you use a flat brush lo apply the cream into the hollows of the shadow and (lien gradually blend into the rest of you makeup.

Using Powder

Ifowder Is essential lo help set your foundation an provide a grease-free surface for the rest

ofyour makeup. It gives a natural finish to your skin and helps stop an oily shine from developing.

Powder is available both loose and compressed. Loose powder provides a translucent, natural looking matte finish. Il Is more successful at setting foundation, , and keeps the colour of powder eye shadows and blushes strong- Compressed powder is best used for touchups during the day. Because ft contains a binding agent, pressed powder goes on heavier than loose. It also has a tendency to streak. Choose a powder that matches your palural skin tone or, to add a warmer glow, pick one that is pink or peach tinted. With pressed powder, you may want to choose a shade that is lighter than your skin tone to comp cnsatc for any colour build up.

Applying Powder

For loose powder you should use a large soft makeup brush to dust it on all over your face, Including the eyelids. Don't rub the powder into the skin. Remove any surplus by using the brush to stroke downwards. Be sure and remove any loose powder around the brows and the jaw and neck. With pressed powder, use the puff or brush in short, downward strokes that follow the direction of the facial hair.

Using Blush

Applied correctly, blush can light up your face and add a 8&t DiiUy *t'ir

ofyour makeup. It gives a natural finish to your skin and helps stop an oily shine from developing.

Powder is available both loose and compressed. Loose powder provides a translucent, natural looking matte finish. Il Is more successful at setting foundation, , and keeps the colour of powder eye shadows and blushes strong- Compressed powder is best used for touchups during the day. Because ft contains a binding agent, pressed powder goes on heavier than loose. It also has a tendency to streak. Choose a powder that matches your palural skin tone or, to add a warmer glow, pick one that is pink or peach tinted. With pressed powder, you may want to choose a shade that is lighter than your skin tone to comp cnsatc for any colour build up.

Applying Powder

For loose powder you should use a large soft makeup brush to dust it on all over your face, Including the eyelids. Don't rub the powder into the skin. Remove any surplus by using the brush to stroke downwards. Be sure and remove any loose powder around the brows and the jaw and neck. With pressed powder, use the puff or brush in short, downward strokes that follow the direction of the facial hair.

Using Blush

Applied correctly, blush can light up your face and add a

strong healthy glow to the skin. " When you use blush It should look as if you have just blushed for real, or have a little colour in your cheeks.

Blush comes iri cream, stick and powder form; the pressed powder ones arc the easiest to us. The colour you choose depends on our skin tone and hair colouring. A sheer, matte colour looks the most natural and using less is always better than using more. Don't use the glittery or shimmering blushes during the day. Save these for an evening look.

Applying Blush

For most women blush should be applied in the "pork chop" shape from the cheekbone to the outer corner of the eyebrow. Feel for the top of your cheekbone beneath the middle of the eye; you should apply blush from that point up along the cheekbone and finish with a light curve of colour near the tip of your eyebrow.

For best results with powder blush, apply after foundation and powder. Run your brush lightly over the blush compact, blow on the bristles to remove, excess colour, and brush on blush a with a quick, crescent shaped stroke. Clean yom brush on a tissue, then bend blush with short feathery strokes. MS