Believe it or not, there is a natural order to putting on your makeup that will make it faster and easier. To create a perfect palate on which to draw your masterpiece, always be sure to start with clean and moisturized skin, and then add a layer of foundation. The rest is as simple as one, two, three:

1. Eyes
   Starting with your eyes lets you set the mood of your makeup: dramatic or natural. Once you have established your eyes, you can adjust your cheeks and lips to match. Start by brushing shadow on the crease and along the lower lash line to make your eye appear larger. If you are creating a dramatic eye for evening, rim the eyes with line (either liquid or pencil) now. For a softer look for everyday, use a small makeup brush to blend the line toward the outer corner. Once the eyeliner is dry and set, curl your lashes and apply a few coats of mascara.



2. Cheeks
   Your cheeks should balance your eyes - if one is bold, the other should be subtle. To create a natural looking glow, rub cream blush on the apples or dust them with a tinted bronzer. For a more dramatic look, apply a powder blush to the temples. If you accidentally apply too much blush, blend the blush with your fingers instead of a brush (the oils in your hands will dissolve the color's intensity).



3. Lips
   As your cheeks balance your eyes, your lips should balance your cheeks and eyes. Pick one feature to highlight and downplay the others - otherwise you end up looking like a circus clown. Before you apply anything to your lips, be sure to apply a nourishing lip balm and let it absorb for a few minutes. Wipe off any excess. If you are wearing a dramatic, dark lip color, choose a liner that matches the lipstick. If you are wearing a gloss or a neutral shade of lipstick, choose a lip liner that is close to your natural lip color, just one shade darker. Line your lips just inside the lip line, not outside, and apply a thin layer of lipstick with a lip brush. Voila, kissable lips!