7 Steps to Great Makeup

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you'. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you' unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:

1. Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you' look overdone and will ruin the rest of you'r makeup.

2. Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

3. Foundation: Make sure you'r foundation is the same color as you'r skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

4. Powder: The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend you'r makeup so there are no obvious lines.

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and you'r lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure you'r lip liner doesn't show. Also, you'r lip color should match you'r skin tone; wear cool colors if you' have cool coloring and warm colors if you' have warm coloring. If you' want to make you'r lips look smaller, keep you'r liner on the inside of you'r lips. However, if you' decide to make you'r lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you' lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup

Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you' are going to the beach you' shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you' would if you' were going dancing. Also, when you' are in daylight you'r makeup should be a lighter than when you' are out for the evening.

4. Too little or no makeup

Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you' are unsure, start will light colours in you'r shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you' are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you', so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you' are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look

When you'r makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you' have dark skin and hair you' will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you' look washed out. If you'r hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you'. Dark makeup will make you' look older and harsh. If you' have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you' for touch ups.

6. Hair color

Your hair color should also be in harmony with you'r skin. If you' have dark hair and you' want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you' have light hair, use light colors. As you' age you'r skin will lighten, so should you'r hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you' do color you' hair be sure you' keep it up, don't let you'r roots show.

7. One last thing

Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let you'r makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!

Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download a copy of her e-book Image Makeovers and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.