Finishing Touches.(makeup tips)

The Finer Points

No matter how sheer the makeup, you can't just schmear it like cream cheese on a bagel and hope for the best. * Prep the skin. Alcohol and detergents dry the skin's natural oils, leaving it looking shriveled. Makeup artist Wendy Rowe suggests washing with a mild cleanser and using a toner without alcohol. Exfoliate at least every other day -- otherwise foundation and powder may adhere to flaking skin -- and apply a moisturizer to help prevent dry patches. * Lighten up. You may not want shine, but you do want to look subtly lit from within. A highlighter like Yves Saint Laurent Touche clat or Laura Mercier Secret Brightener accentuates bone structure and counteracts the flattening properties of matte makeup. Dubroff recommends dabbing a highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones, on the brow bones, and the center of the nose before applying foundation. Or try an alternative that makeup artist Virginia Young swears by: Mix three parts matte foundation with one part Revlon Skinlights Instant Skin Brightener and apply all over the face. It will look naturally luminous rather than shiny, she says. * Choose your tools. Makeup artist Robin Siegel, who works with Jennifer Aniston and other celebrities, suggests beginners apply foundation with a sponge, which offers both ease and portion control. * Lay the foundation. Because you've already created spots of ...