The ABCs of Makeover: Make-Up Tips and Tricks

Being a girl doesn't come easy. Sometimes, looking glamorous can be very taxing and trying to apply just the right amount plus the right combination of blushers and eyeshades takes hours on end.

Just like everything else, it all starts with the basics. Skim on these miraculously simple tricks on makeup application that might actually put Cinderella's transformation to shame.

Building the Foundation

Foundation and powder application are makeup's extreme basics. Apply foundation to even out skin tone and provide a base for the rest of the makeup application. You can also use it to conceal red spots and hide pimples. Foundation comes in different forms: sticks, powder, cream or liquid.

Kiss and Make Up

Be grateful you do not live in the days when face-painting was said to be the "work of the devil" and a stroke of red in the lips is an "evil snare of lust". Nowadays, lipsticks are not only legal, they are essentials. To apply lipstick, first smear lip balm along your lips to provide a smooth lip surface. For a longer-lasting effect, daub with a transparent lip liner (or something of the same shade as your lipstick). Apply lipstick, preferably by two coats.

You can also use lip glosses as substitutes for red sticks. Lip gloss provides both sexy and cute appeal, and the shimmer effect doesn't hurt either.

Cheeky Basics

A very lightening task, apply blush on your cheek apples and the best way to do this is but to smile. Opt for blush-on colors that provide the most natural impressions, such as pinkish tawny, rose or light cherry. Just remember that the fairer you are, the lighter the shade of your blusher should be. Not unlike foundations, blushers come in forms of cream, gel, powder or bronzers. Apply sparingly as too much of a blush is not very flattering.

Eye Essentials

There are at least three basic applications that can work magic with your eyes: eye liners, eye shadows and mascaras. A delicate line near the roots of your eyelashes can be achieved by eye liners. This technique draws attention to the delineated eyes. Applying eye shadows will require a choice of two monochromatic shades. Sweep the lighter shade over the higher part of the lid, while applying the darker shade on the lower half, just above the eyes. Finally, mascaras supply the desirable effect of thicker lashes. It is best to curl your lashes before applying the mascara.