Moisturizer
A good, high-quality moisturizer is the most important product you can use on your skin to have your face looking its best. You don't have to spend a lot; a quality drugstore-brand moisturizer works just as well as a high-end department store brand. Just make sure the formula you use is compatible with your skin. A well-moisturized face is the base for a fabulous look!
Makeup Primer
MAC, Bobbi Brown, Philosophy and Stila all make great makeup primers. You can also use Monistat chafing gel (yes, the kind that goes on the bikini area works as a makeup primer, too!). These primers go on before your foundation to fill in any scars, blemishes, enlarged pores and other imperfections. This will give you the perfect, airbrushed look that models achieve with expensive airbrushing systems.
Concealer
A good concealer will hide under-eye circles, blemishes and acne. Use a green-tinted concealer to balance out redness and acne, and a shade the same tone or a bit lighter than your skin to hide under-eye circles and dark spots. Put your concealer on before your foundation and let it dry before you apply the rest of your makeup.
Foundation
A good foundation that matches your skin tone is another must-have. A quality foundation works together with your primer to fill in any imperfections and give you a flawless, gorgeous complexion. Make sure you match the color of your foundation with your face, and not your wrist or other area (like we were all told when we were younger), to ensure a perfect match. If your neck and face don't match after you put your foundation on, you might want to try a different shade.
Powder
Powder sets your foundation to keep it from melting off. Get a powder that matches your skin tone. If possible, get the powder in the same shade and brand of the foundation you choose, so they will be a perfect match.
You don't have to have a lot of money or a personal makeup artist to have flawless skin; you simply need a little time and a few inexpensive products. Good luck!
More From This Contributor:
Do-It-Yourself Acrylic Nails
Best Makeup Primers on the Market
How-To: Flawless Eyeliner Application for Beginners (And Not-So-Beginners!)
Published by Maggie OLeary - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Maggie O Leary served on active-duty in the United States Military from 1997 to 2010, before joining the Reserves. She is currently attending college full-time, pursuing a Bachelor s Degree in History. In ad... View profile
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