1. The Eyes

Step 1. Eye Fix/Eye Base (Optional)

Eye Fix or Eye Base smooths and evens the tone and texture of your eyelids, gives you an even surface on which to apply your shadow, keeps your shadow on longer and helps prevent creasing.

Tools: Cosmetic Sponge

Dot a small amount of Eye Fix/Eye Base on the crease of the eyelid and use a sponge to blend over the entire lid from the lash to the brows. (If you get creasing, you are using too much.)

Step 2. Base Shadow (Optional)

The Base Shadow is a light color that will help your eyes look open and brighter. The color should blend with your skin tone. Flat, matte colors or colors with only a slight shine work best. Look for colors on our Color Chart that are marked "Base" for the best selections.

Tools: Shadow Sponge Brush

The Base Shadow should be applied to the entire lid, from the lash to the brow. Use the shadow sponge brush to apply.

Step 3. Contour Shadow (Optional)

The Contour Shadow shapes and defines your eye. This is the "color" part of the eye shadow. Browns, Greys and Plums are all suitable neutrals as well as colors that blend with your eyes. It is very important that this color be well blended. Look for colors on our Color Chart that are marked "Contour" for the best selections.

Tools: Angle Shader Brush or Small Sable Angle Brush to apply, Small Fluff Brush, Chisel Sable Fluff Brush or Maxi Blender Brush to blend. You can also use the Eye Contour Brush for both application and blending. For liner, use the Eyeliner or Deluxe Liner Brush.

The Contour Color should be applied to the outside 1/2 of the lid, from the lashes to half the distance to the brow. Color should not be applied in the crease. Then apply additional color on the brow bone and blend.

To define eyes, use the Eyeliner or Deluxe Liner brush to apply additional contour color in a thin line along the top lashes.

Step 4. Eye Liner

Eyeliner should be soft and is used only to provide some definition to the eyes. Select a neutral color, or a color to match your eyes. Avoid Black eyeliner, unless you have black eyes.

Tools: A good metal sharpener, Q-tip, if necessary.

Apply eyeliner in a thin line under the bottom lashes from the outer edge to the point where your lower lashes end, near the nose. You'll get a better line with a fairly sharp eye liner. Smudge the line with the cap of the eye pencil to slightly soften it. If your line is too wide, brush a Q-Tip gently over it to narrow the line. Top with Eyeliner Sealer to increase the wear.

2. The Face

Step 1. Concealer

Concealer reduces the appearance of lines and shadows. Use concealer a lighter shade than your skin to "lift" lines and in a darker shade to "reduce" bumps and puffiness. Very dark undereye circles, redness, blemishes and discolorations can be covered with the appropriate Custom Blend Concealer.

Tools: Camouflage Brush, Cosmetic Sponge

Using the camouflage brush, apply a small amount of concealer into the center of lines and in the darkest part of shadows. To cover bumps and puffy areas, use the darker concealer and apply on the high part of the area to be covered. Then use the cosmetic sponge to pat out the concealer. You want to cover the areas, but remove all excess so you don't get "cakey" by the end of the day.

Step 2. Foundation/Moisture Tint/Bronzer

Foundation and Moisture Tint evens the skintone and smoothes the appearance and surface of your skin. They also cover imperfections and provide an even finish to your skin. Foundation has more coverage, Moisture Tint is more sheer for lighter coverage. Bronzer is more sheer and tinted to give you a sun-touched look without the sun.

Tools: Cosmetic Sponge

Dot foundation/moisture tint/bronzer on your forehead, nose, chin and both cheeks. Dampen the sponge and blot it almost dry. Using the sponge, blend the Foundation over the entire face (be careful around the nose and mouth--you don't want to miss anything) going upwards and outwards. Foundation should go just to the jaw (not on the neck or under the chin). For extra coverage, repeat. (Two thin layers cover better and wear better than one thick layer.)

Step 3. Loose Powder

Loose powder will set your make-up, keep it looking better, longer and give you a finished look. Your powder should match your foundation.

Tools: Powder Brush or Chisel Dome Brush

Dip the powder brush in the powder, shake loose the excess and dust your face going across on the forehead and down on the cheeks (you can also dust over your eyes to set your eye make-up).

Step 4. Mosaic Powder (Alternative/Optional)

Mosaic Powders are multi-colored pressed powders. Because of the multiple colors, they work for everyone and will give you a glow rather than giving you that "pale powdered look." These is great for a mid-day touch-ups and for travelers.

Tools: Powder Brush, Retractable Powder Brush or Chisel Dome Brush

Dust the brush across the powder and then dust your face going across on the forehead and down on the cheeks.

Step 5. Pro-Finish Powder (Alternative/Optional)

This tinted, pressed powder can be used wet or dry. It provides light coverage when used dry and heavier coverage when used wet (it dries to a matte finish). Select the color that most closely matches your "average" skin tone.

Tools: Cosmetic Sponge, Powder Puff, Powder Brush or Chiselr Dome for application. Fan Brush and Angle Contour Brush for contouring.

Apply with a slightly damp sponge (it will dry to powder) or use the brush and dust (across on the forehead, down on the face).

If you have normal to dry or dry skin, you can still use the Pro-Finish Powder which does provide coverage (the translucent powder is much more sheer). Apply with the powder brush--dust the brush across the powder and then dust your face going across on the forehead and down on the cheeks.

Step 6. Blush/Cheek Tint (Optional)

Blush should be used to give a "natural" glow to your cheeks. The color should not be noticeable. Select a color that blends with your natural cheek color (your natural lip color may be a good clue). Our blushes are marked Warm, Cool or Both. If you have pink or cool undertones, select the cool colors. For warm or yellow undertones, select the warm tones. Everyone can wear the colors marked "Both."

Tools: Blush Brush, Angle Contour Brush, Cosmetic Sponge

Swipe the blush brush across the blush and then apply lightly, directly on the cheekbone. Step back to view the effect (it's much easier to add more than to lighten it). Blend the blush with the angle contour brush by using it in a circular motion along the edges of the blush to remove the edges. (Don't forget to check your blush again when you've finished your make-up to be sure there is enough color.) You can use your fingers to apply the Cheek Tints and blend out with a cosmetic sponge.

3. The Details

Step 1. Brush-on-Brows - (If Necessary)

Brush-on-Brows darkens light or thin brows naturally. If you color your hair, are very fair or are graying, you may need to accent your brows.

Tools: Angle Brow Brush, Brow/Lash Brush

Apply brush-on-brows using the Angle Brow Brush along the natural brow line. Apply one sweep and step back to view the effect. Apply another sweep or two, if necessary to make your brows noticeable, but not too dark. Use the Brow/Lash Brush to brush through to remove any loose or excess powder.

Step 2. Brow Set

Brow Set is fabulous for setting brow color so it lasts all day and for taming unruly eyebrow.

Tools: Brow/Lash Brush

Shape brows with Brow/Lash Brush and apply brow set, using the self-contained applicator along the natural brow line.

Step 3. Mascara

Mascara darkens and defines lashes to finish your eyes. Use Black if you have very dark eyes or for evening, otherwise, Brown (which is dark, but not as harsh) is the color of choice. If you prefer, Dark Navy is also a good selection for blue, blue gray, gray, hazel, brown or green eyes. Dark Navy and Brown are both dark with just a tint of color.

Tools: Brow/Lash Brush

Comb out lashes, then coat both sides of upper lashes and catch the ends of the lower lashes in the self-contained applicator to darken the ends. Use the Brow/Lash Brush to comb out any clumps. Longer wearing Mascaras often take a few seconds to dry (so you have an opportunity to remove clumps, which are almost impossible to remove once it is dry). If you have trouble keeping mascara on, try the Lash Primer and for thin lashes, the Lash Thickener adds lushness to your lashes.

4. The Lips

Step 1. Lip Liner

Lip Liner defines your lips, evens your lip line, helps prevent bleeding and keeps your lipstick on longer. Select a color that blends with your natural lip color or that matches your lipstick to keep your lipstick color "true." To deepen your lipcolor, select a darker liner and to brighten your lipcolor, select a brighter liner. For additional staying powder, use the Lip Fix to help keep lipstick in place, prevent bleeding and increase wearability.

Tools: Metal Sharpener

Outline your natural lip line. If your lips are too thick, go just inside the lip line. If they are too thin, draw your line on the actual lip line, then draw another line on the outside of the first line to slightly widen it. Face the mirror straight on and be sure your lip line is even. If it isn't, slightly widen the narrow side. Fill in your lip with the liner.

Step 2. Lipstick

Lipstick finishes your look (you can do all your make-up and without lipstick you still won't look "finished") and helps balance your face. While your lips should not necessarily make a statement, be aware that if your lips are bare, they do make a statement--but it's not positive. Select a color to coordinate with your skin tone and with what you are wearing. Our lip colors are marked Warm, Cool or Both. If you have pink or cool undertones to your skin, you'll do better with the Cool colors. If you have warm or yellow undertones, select the Warm colors. Everyone can wear the colors marked Both. Remember, if you are very fair, the light and medium lip colors will be darker and if you have very dark skin, the light colors may be too pale.

Tools: Lip Brush

Using the lip brush, apply lipstick to the entire lip, outlining over the liner, then filling in. A lip brush will give you an even application of color. If you have thin lips the lip brush is a MUST for control in applying lip color where you want it. Do NOT blot your lips, or rub your lips together--both will cause the lip color to start wearing off. Wait about 10 minutes before drinking or eating anything to give the color time to dry.

All our lip colors wear very well.

Step 3. Vitamin E / Hydro C - (Optional)

Vitamin E or Hydro C can be used to soothe and soften lips. It adds a look of moisture while providing a moisturizing effect.

Tools: None

Apply on top of your lip color or use alone. These are particularly useful over Long Wearing Matte Lipsticks.