Don't: Line lips with black eyeliner.



This look, based on a trend set by Naomi Campbell back in the nineties, is no longer in fashion and is not as flattering as some women believe. Lip liner should never look like a dark ring encircling the mouth.

Do: Match lip liner with lipstick and blend.

Your makeup will look more natural if there is no clear line between liner and lipstick. Try colors like plums and burgundies. Or you can blend a neutral tone liner (chestnut, chocolate) with matching lipstick and gloss just in the center. Whatever you do, don't forget to blend.

Don't: Draw in your eyebrows.

To frame the face some women mistakenly use pencil to create an artificial looking arch.

Do: Take time to create a natural-looking brow.

Pluck or wax only excess hairs. Enhance thin brows with a combination of light eye pencil strokes the strokes should look like individual eyebrow hairs. For more definition, add eye shadow matching your brow color.

Don't: Buy foundation a shade lighter or darker than your skin tone.

Many women of color do this consciously to alter their complexion. But it looks obvious.

Do: Select a foundation that blends with your natural tone.

The purpose of foundation is to bring out your natural beauty by evening skin tone. Ask a cosmetics consultant for help in finding the right match and applying it with powder. Once you've learned how to use these products to enhance your beauty, you'll feel better about the skin you're in.

Don't: Forget to blend eye shadow.

Though you may use three different shades of shadow, you should not be able to see the lines between those shades.

Do: Blend, blend, blend.

After you've applied your shadow colors, use a shadow brush, or your fingers, to blend the lines between the colors. The effect will be more flattering and natural.

Don't: Wear too much makeup or too little.

Some women of color apply too much foundation and powder because they are imitating celebrities or they believe that's how makeup is supposed to look thick and cakey. Others, turned off by a "made up" face, wear no makeup at all, or only lipstick.

Do: Wear just enough makeup to bring out your natural beauty.

If you apply concealer and one layer each of foundation and powder, coverage should be complete and even. There's no need for multiple makeup layers. To complete your look, add some complementary eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick. If you've selected the appropriate shades, you will not look too made up you'll just look like a better you. Consult the experts at a makeup counter for guidance, and take notes.