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with applying mascara, try lip color. Lip color can enhance your appearance or make you look very silly. The secret to great-looking lips is all about choosing the right color and texture. By texture, the choices are: matte, glossy, and shimmer. Matte is flat, but looks very natural. Glossy is shiny, but tends to smear easily. Shimmer has a hint of glitter and causes the lipstick to be more noticeable than the actual lips. Beginners should try matte lipsticks first.

Choosing the right lip color can be overwhelming. An easy approach is to look in the mirror and study your own natural lip shade. Then find a shade close to your lips. Look for light mauves or cocoas. As a novice, stay away from bold colors such as reds or pinks. Some red lipsticks are hard to remove from the skin if a mistake occurs. And pink shades just look ridiculous.

Once you've chosen your shade, start with the upper lip in the center. Spread your lips over your teeth so the creases are flat. Lightly press the lipstick on your lip and move it outward and down to the corner. Do the same for the other side.

On the lower lip, gently dot the lipstick from the center to one corner and then the other. Press your lips together. Then blot with a tissue.

Moving along to using eyeshadow, choose neutral colors such as brown shades. Avoid orangy hues. Purchase a three or four color pallette that at least includes a light brown, a dark brown, and a highlighter color. With the tip of your ring finger, apply the light brown to your lid area only. Make sure to apply it evenly. Wipe your finger on a tissue. Apply the dark brown to the outer corner of the crease. Wipe your finger on the tissue.

Use the highlighter color from the inner crease up to your eyerbrow and on the brow bone under your eyebrow. Blend out any rough areas of the darker shade. Apply the highlighter color to the inner corner of your eyelid. Repeat on the other eye.

Once you've gotten the knack of applying eyeshadow, use it before applying mascara. It's easy to get discouraged when you're a beginner. Practice makes perfect and practicing everyday will lead to a professional looking face.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Brock.
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