Primers are the staple that should be in every woman’s makeup
      repertoire. This revolutionary product will power up defenses
      against aging skin and fading foundation by filling in fine lines and
      pores for visibly softer skin with a velvety-smooth finish. Just be
      savvy and read the ingredients as not all primers are created the
      same. It’s best to look for a primer that is silicone based, like my
      fave, Smashbox Photo Finish. Apply on clean or moisturized skin
      and follow by your favorite foundation for complexion perfection.

 Slough away the winter gray with revitalized skin. Many
      exfoliating treatments remove dead skin cells and impurities in the
      skin. This is very important for healthy and glowing skin all over
      the body because it allows the skin to retain more moisture and
      look fresher, younger, and healthier. And from my artist
      perspective it maintains a perfect canvas for flawless makeup
      application every time.

      For your facial skin you can use a cotton washcloth, complexion
      brush, or facial scrub, such as sugar or ground oatmeal. Use gentle
      circular strokes and do not work on any area for too long, which can
      be irritating. You can exfoliate as often as your skin can take it – for
      most people this is weekly.

      Here is a recipe I came across in “Natural Beauty at Home”
      resource book for a facial/body sugar scrub. Turn your bathroom
      into a spa once a week and pamper yourself with this:

 1 cup raw sugar or granulated sugar

 ¼ cup walnut oil or light oil

 ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil

      Mix together all the ingredients in a large glass or ceramic bowl.
      Spoon into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Note: if you have oily
      skin, you should reduce the amount of walnut oil called for in this
      recipe – or leave it out completely.

      To use: Massage a tablespoon or two all over your body to gently
      exfoliate and moisturize your skin. Store any remaining scrub in a
      cool, dry location. You may need to stir the product between uses.

 Yield: 10 ounces, enough for 4 to 5 full-body treatments

 

 Okay ladies, the red lipstick trend is back! And no excuses this time
      as I’m going to guide you through the plethora of red shades and
      textures to help you select what will rock the trend for you.

      First you should consider your skin tone when purchasing a lipstick
      rather than your hair color. For the most natural look you should
      aim to match your undertones (yellow or pink).

 Women who have yellow undertones to their skin should stick to
      shades that are correspondingly warm toned because they will look
      flattering, such as red with an orange or golden base.

 If you have a fair complexion with cool, rosy undertones, try a
      blue-based red. When in doubt, choose a rich, deep classic red. A
      real red with a tiny bit of blue in it suits most people and it looks
      amazingly glamorous on all women.

      Exception: those with deeper skin tones should go with warmer
      tomato reds because bluish hues tend to look purple against dark
      skin.

 Dark skin tone looks good with plums, wines and deep reds.

 Olive skin looks good with brownish reds.

 

 So, now that you have selected the perfect shade of red, you are
      ready to choose the texture.

      Wearing red lipstick with a matte or cream finish provide for a
      more refined, sophisticated look, an especially appropriate look
      during the day. Sheer red also makes for a great anytime look. And
      a glossier red lipstick creates for an enchanting evening visage.

      Last: Apply the color with a lip brush for more control and keep
      makeup on the rest of the face minimal to avoid looking overdone.

 

 As much as we all would like to stay sun-kissed year round (and
      some of you lucky girls do in parts of the country) you know that it
      is time to take a look at your foundation and check to make sure
      that it is still the right shade for you.

      What is the best way to make sure? During the daylight hours go
      to stand by a window and apply a line of your foundation along your
      neck and then look in the mirror. If the color disappears and is not
      visible to you than you are doing OKAY! However, if it appears too       dark, than it is time to test out some new lighter shades. Just know,
      not all is a waste…you can use the now darker shade as a
      contouring color to narrow your nose, hollow out your cheeks,
      minimize your chin, whatever. Note: it’s best to save this advance
      technique for the night.