Setting the Stage: Moisturizer, Concealer and Foundation Tips

Moisturizer is the key to a flawless face. In fact, the first step in your makeup routine should always be a freshly washed, moisturized face. Why? You want a smooth, clean surface so your foundation will work correctly. Dry or oily patches could create an uneven, discolored look.

Even if you're not a makeup expert, you probably use a daily moisturizer -- and if you don't, go out and get one already, for heaven's sake! What you buy will depend on your skin type. For example, people with oily skin should steer toward light, oil-free products, and if you have dry skin, you'll want a more intense moisturizer.

And if you don't have an under-eye moisturizer, now's the time to add one to your arsenal. In the same way a facial moisturizer readies you for foundation, a good eye cream will make concealer look better.

Selecting a foundation can be a little overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Basically, the choice depends on your skin type and how much coverage you want. There are four main types of foundation, from sheer to opaque:

Now that you've picked your foundation, you can move on to concealer.

If you've been under the impression that all concealers are created equal, prepare for your world to be rocked. You actually need two concealers -- one for the under-eye area and one for blemishes. And if you're sporting particularly dark under-eye circles, you're going to need corrector, too.

Experts say your under-eye concealer should have yellow undertones (yellow counteracts blue) and be one shade lighter than your skin. But if you have more severe under-eye issues, you'll want some corrector to go under the concealer. Corrector is more peach-pink in color and works against the green and purple tones in big-time under-eye circles.

Your blemish concealer, on the other hand, should match your foundation exactly. Using a light colored under-eye concealer on a zit you're trying to hide will just make it stand out more.

You've waded through all the choices and finally have your moisturizer, concealer and foundation in hand. So, what do you do now?

Moisturizer, as we mentioned, is the first step in any makeup application. It creates a nice, even palette for your foundation. If you have oily skin, you might want to apply some astringent before your oil-free moisturizer. Dry-skinned ladies, of course, should be using a more intense moisturizer. And don't forget your under-eye cream. Regardless of your skin type, wait about 10 minutes before the next step -- you want the moisturizer to fully soak in before you apply any makeup.

Speaking of the next step -- if your skin has any texture issues, you might want to consider using a primer after you've moisturized your face. Some women claim that primer is a do-or-die item, but it's really most useful for people with very oily skin or heavy scarring says makeup artist Molly Stern.

Here's the first rule of concealer: Apply under-eye concealer before foundation and blemish concealer after foundation. The starting point for your concealer routine is the innermost corner of the eye. If you're using a corrector, apply it now, with a brush or your ring finger. Then, again with a brush or your ring finger, apply thin layers of concealer outward. You don't want to go past the middle of your eye -- that inner corner is where the most discoloration is, and concealer that extends too far out can look unnatural.

After you've applied foundation, which we'll discuss on the next page, it's time to make those blemishes disappear. Using the concealer that matches your foundation, cover up any problem areas and blend well.

So you have some foundation that seems to match your skin tone reasonably well but how should you apply it? Brush, swipe or sponge? The rule of thumb for liquid or cream foundation is -- sponge or fingers for sheer coverage, brush for heavier coverage.

Speaking of heavy coverage, foundation doesn't have to be spackled over your entire face to be effective. Sometimes all you need is some strategically placed concealer and a few dabs of foundation in problem areas. If you're going for a full-face application, start in the middle of your cheeks and forehead and blend outward. Never stop at the jaw line -- that will give you the dreaded makeup mask. Apply the foundation all the way onto your neck, using a damp sponge or your fingers to clean up any unevenness.

Finally, set your foundation with powder. If you have dry skin, dab some loose powder onto your T-zone only. Those with normal to oily skin can be more liberal with the powder, but if you tend to be oily, pressed powder will do more to control that shine.

There, you're done! Check out the next page for more information on how to complete your perfectly made-up face.