How to apply makeup in 10 easy steps

Use an appropriate moisturizer for your face and one made especially for your eyes based on your particular skin type. Allow the moisturizer absorb on the skin for a few minutes before you begin your makeup application.

Dab concealer lightly under the eyes and on any blemishes. Blend carefully by blotting with a soft sponge to set.  

Choose either a mousse, cream or liquid foundation to help even out skin tone. First dot the T zone, chin and cheeks of your face. Blend it with a sponge allowing more control for a natural appearance, while helping to even out any imperfections or discoloration without streaking.

Add a little blush to define more detail and interest instead of the monotone effect from foundation. Locate the apples of your cheeks by smiling. Use a powder one with a large brush or a cream blush by dotting the area and blend.

Don’t overlook the eyebrows. A powdered eyebrow tint is better than a pencil, which can often look unnatural. Apply it with a slanted brush that is made for that purpose in a shade closest to your brow color.

Line your eyes with either cake eyeliner with a damp, thin liner brush, a liquid in a medium color or a soft eyeliner pencil. Completely outline your eyes lid as close to the lash line on both upper and lower lashes.   

Balance your lids with three shades of eye shadow: light, medium and dark. Use the darkest to line the crease between upper eyelid and lashes. Use the medium shade below the crease and the lightest shade for the area directly under the eyebrow.

A lash curler is a must before applying mascara to ensure that lashes appear lush. Apply mascara to upper and lower lashes, in two thin coats to avoid clumsiness. Choose brown mascara if your coloring is fair; black or brown-black works well for darker coloring.

Line lips before applying lipstick with a shade slightly darker than your lip tint.  Choose a lipstick color that's suited to your skin tone and that's perfect for your day look. You can mix colors and textures to suit your moods and your outfits

For staying power, loose or pressed powder sets the foundation to last the whole day. Use pressed powder to touch up when you're away from home. 

Improvise

Every tool in makeup has its own function and you don't need to acquire all of them. You can make do with common items such as Q-Tips, facial tissue and applicators that come with your makeup items. Try to obtain only those items that make sense and work for you. It pays to buy good quality tools as they will last for many years.