Ever wonder how to take your make up to the next level? Here are seven tips that’ll help you put on your happy face…better.



1. BRONZER | Bronzer is a great way to illuminate your skin. Perfect for the summer, it’s a sure way to embrace your new sun kissed complexion. MAC has a great bronzer-esque type of product – MINERALIZE SKINFINISH – that’ll take your glow to the next level. But be careful. Bronzers are usually highly pigmented, so too much of it can make you look too shiny.




2. BRUSHES | The application of your make up is so important. You usually get a better finish when you use the appropriate brush. I have been using the CLINIQUE BRUSH COLLECTION which is phenomenal. The bristles are organic and anti-bacterial. The foundation brush is my fave. Gives you a super smooth finish. And if high end cosmetic brushes are out of your league, don’t fret. They’ve got some great options at your local drugstore as well.



3. MATCH | It is IMPERATIVE that you test your foundation on the back of your hand before you purchase it! It is grueling to see someone with a shade that’s too light or dark. There’s no way to play it off. At all. Not even with powder. Get it right the first time and avoid the embarrassment.




4. SKIN CARE | Your make up will only cover up so much. You need to take care of your skin underneath. Cleanse twice a day and exfoliate twice a week. Find a regimen that works for you, whether you have dry, normal, oily or combination skin. Make up should not cover up, but instead only enhance your features. If you have a healthy, clean palette than you can paint a beautiful picture. (NOTE: Never, EVER, EVER sleep with your make up on. Extremely detrimental to your skin.)




5. BROWS | Eyebrows truly shape your face. Make sure they’re not too thin and too thick. Find a balance. If you’re unsure, practice drawing in a “draft” brow with an eyebrow pencil or even with a stencil like the SEPHORA ARCH IT BROW KIT. When you find the shape you like, clean up everything else. When your brows are on, you face is on.




6. MODERATION | Caked on make up is the worst! The key is to look natural. You can have many products on at once, but as long is it doesn’t look like it, you’re good to go.




7. HAIR | One thing we sometimes forget is the shape of our face. Hair can flatter our face or point out that it’s too round or narrow. Style accordingly. Then find a look that works when it comes to make up as well. If you have long bangs that cover up your eyelids, you probably shouldn’t rock a colorful eyeshadow. If you hair is pulled up, then your contouring should be up to par because you’re giving me nothing but face. And remember, make up, brows and hair is the entire “face” package.