10 Makeup Secrets the Pros Swear By

"A barely pink blush with a bit of sheen works on everyone. (Try L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Color Blush in Pink Lift.) The shimmer catches the light and looks youthful and pretty, even if the color is hardly noticeable."
—Billy B., consulting makeup artist for L'Oréal Paris

"Test foundation on the inside of your arm, which is the shade closest to the lightest area of your complexion. You never want to go any lighter than that—but if you want a little extra color, you can go a shade darker."
—Molly R. Stern, L.A. makeup artist

"If you've overpowdered your face, lightly mist it (try Avène Thermal Spring Water) and then roll a damp makeup sponge (like the Beautyblender) over your skin to pick up excess powder."
—Nick Barose, NYC/L.A. makeup artist

"When you want to make your mouth appear fuller, trace the outer ridge of your lips with a pencil one shade darker than your natural lip color, blending so the line is soft. Then fill with a nude lipstick one shade lighter than your lips. Finish with a touch of gloss in the middle of the bottom lip."
—Billy B.

"It can be difficult to find a lip liner dark enough to create a nude lip when your skin tone is very deep—so use a dark brown eyeliner instead. Try Tom Ford Beauty's Eye Defining Espresso pencil."
—Nick Barose

"For eyeliner that stays in place, go easy on the eye cream. Then smooth on a primer. Next, layer your products: cream liner or pencil followed by powder eyeshadow such as Lancôme Color Design in the same shade. Creams on their own migrate; powders on their own fade. If you want your liner to last, it's about layering the two."
—Pati Dubroff, NYC/L.A. makeup artist

"The trick to getting your eyeliner in a straight line is to brush on mascara first. Then rest the tip of your liner on your lashes and apply it in short strokes, instead of trying to create one continuous line."
—Sarah Lucero, makeup artist and global director of education and artistry for Stila Cosmetics

"Curl your lashes, apply mascara on both top and bottom, and then place a few individual false lashes over the center of the iris. This upward emphasis makes your eyes seem larger, brighter and rounder."
—Troy Surratt, NYC makeup artist and founder of Surratt

"You'll prevent lipstick from bleeding if you apply a little concealer to your lips first, followed by a dusting of translucent powder. This gives the lipstick something to hold on to, so it doesn't slip off your mouth."
—Molly R. Stern

"If clumping is an issue, use a mascara that lengthens, as opposed to one that volumizes. Volumizing formulas tend to group lashes together to create thickness; this can look spiky. After you apply mascara, comb through your lashes with a spoolie or a clean mascara wand. (Two lengthening formulas to try: Surratt Relevée Mascara and Lancôme Définicils.)"
—Troy Surratt