The best start to any good make-up routine is clean, moisturised skin. Once your face is washed and hydrated, here are some fundamental things to keep in mind for a great make-up look and a healthy complexion.

1. Foundation

Some people prefer a tinted moisturizer to a foundation. Whichever you choose, apply it lightly and evenly with the fingertips. A good technique is to dab a dot or two on the forehead, chin, cheeks and nose and blend in with upward strokes.

2. Powder

Translucent powder is best over foundation, and whether you’re using pressed or loose powder, applying it with a soft brush creates more even coverage than the little round pads that often come with it.

3. Concealer

Everyone has a blemish they want to cover from time to time, or undereye circles. Look for a concealer that approximates your skin tone and, if you can’t find your exact tone, go with the darker rather than the lighter (this is to avoid “highlighting” blemishes).

4. Blusher

When choosing a shade of blusher, try to approximate the color of your lips (without lipstick). Apply the blush to the “apple” of your cheeks using a large, soft brush.

5. Mascara

Apply mascara from the base of the lashes upward to the tip, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the next to avoid clumping.

6. Eye liner

Whether your use liquid or pencils, apply it from the inside outward, gently stretching the eye outward to make the lower lid a straight line. Eye pencils should be sharpened regularly to keep the tips clean.

7. Eye shadow

Eye shadow can be applied as one shade or multiple shades. Start with a neutral shade and apply it to the whole upper eye area. Then add other colors if you choose, working gently from the inside outward.

8. Lipstick

Lipstick looks best when applied to moist lips, so start with a foundation of chapstick or other clear base. If you have full lips, go for lighter shades. Thinner lips can be made to look plumper by using a lip pencil on the outer edge of the lips, but take care not to use dark liner and light lipstick. Lip gloss can be applied on top of the lipstick.

9. Make-up removal

Your usual cleanser should be fine for removing foundation and power. For eye make-up, you’ll need to apply something oil-based to loosen the mascara and eyeliner. Olive oil on a cotton ball is effective, as are commercial eye make-up removers. Be very gentle with the eye area; the skin is thin and delicate. Press the oil or remover-saturated cotton ball to your closed eye for a minute or so, then gently swipe from the outside inward to wipe off the make-up.

10. Replace make-up when it gets old

While there is expiration date on make-up, it should be replaced any time it develops an odor or texture/appearance change. Even if there is no noticeable change, make-up needs to be replaced because bacterial growth can cause pimples or other skin and eye infections. Generally, replace mascara after 3 months, concealer every 6-8 months, and all other make-up after a year.

Your face is your first impression – these basic tips can help you present a natural, vibrant look to the world.