Simply Done.

Byline: Dick Page

I do not believe in rules--I believe in trying it all and discovering what works for you. Having said that, I've seen a lot of people who are well versed in makeup fall into basic traps. So these aren't my rules for makeup; they're more like general guidelines on the pitfalls to watch out for.

Blush

Blush is supposed to be just that--something that makes you look pretty and fresh, like you've been out in the cold or have a healthy flush in your cheeks. Once people get into stripes, hollows, or contouring, it can all fall apart. My trick for blush is to apply it before anything else--a dab on the pillows of your cheeks. I bet you'll be surprised to see how using blush alone brightens your eyes and face. A lot of the time, it's best to leave your makeup at that.

Lips

The lip gloss thing went as far as it rationally could before it started to look like people were drooling. Somewhere along the line, people got scared of lipstick. The real problem is the brush--lipstick brushes are thin and flat and create sharp lines and an unnatural ridge of color. Instead, apply a neutral shade of lipstick with an eye-shadow brush, then blot the color with a tissue and run over the edges with a cotton swab or a clean, dry, soft brush. Using this technique makes the lipstick softer, more natural, ...