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There are a million different cosmetics on the market, but do you really know the basics? I don't mean the 'basics' in terms of what you think you need, but what you DO need, and the secrets that can help you to look your best? It is not uncommon for women to be drawn to a color they adore, or a hair color they've always wanted, but there are some basic rules that will allow you to change your look without looking obvious about it.

First, a woman needs to determine her skin's undertones. Undertones are usually categorized as cool, warm, or neutral. Women who become pink when they are out in the sun, or have fair to medium skin tones, who have light-to-medium (natural) blond, red or brown hair are usually cool. This means that foundations with a pink undertone, and hair color with an 'ash' tone would work for you. Pink blush, and purple, mauve, blue, champagne or beige colors in cosmetics would work for you. These colors are in the cool family. Brown or black-brown eyeliner and mascara, as well as dark-blond and taupe eyebrow shades would work also. A foundation or hair color with golden undertones would look mask-like and unnatural. Colors in the cool family are usually the beige's, nudes, and buffs.

If you have dark hair, dark eyes, and a golden skin tone, if you tan easily and are not apt to burn, you are warm. Honey-toned foundations, as well as caramel, tawny, or tan would normally work for you. Darker blushes, such as sable, peach, apricot or rose would work on you. Colors in the 'warm' family are typically copper, gold, vanilla, and emerald green. Black mascara and dark brown eyeliner are suitable. Don't be afraid of the emerald greens, bronze browns and smoky grays, either.

If either a cool or warm toned person wishes to have black hair, a blue-black is best for a cool person, and a jet-black for a warm. Red is warm,auburn is cool. Ash is cool, Golden is warm. Trying to adhere to your particular undertone will yield a wonderful, natural result.

Foundation should be applied after your concealer, which should be dotted on after your moisturizer. Instead of rubbing it in, take your ring finger and pat it in gently, until the heat from your finger melts it into your skin. Finish the whole look with loose powder, or pressed powder applied with a brush. If you use bronzer, apply it before your blush. This will prevent unnatural looking 'stripes' of color.

Just as a general reminder, there are alot of cosmetics designed to make different eye colors 'pop'. If they don't meld with your skin tone, it definitely won't make a difference, as it will look 'costumey' or 'fake', as opposed to natural. After all, isn't that the point?

Learn more about this author, Nicole Niesz.
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