When I was in seventh grade, I would wait until the bus ride to school (when I was out of sight from my mom's eagle eyes) to put on my "contraband" makeup. At that age, I loved anything that was sparkly and highly pigmented. Thankfully, I eventually outgrew the disco look and moved on to other makeup formulas that were more subtle and flattering. My makeup stash now consists of my everyday basics and a handful of other formulas for special occasions and moments when I'm in the mood for a change – after all, makeup isn't about rules, it's about options. If you've found yourself craving something different, see below. With so many options, your biggest decision will be what to try first!
EYE SHADOW
If you're looking for versatility and countless options, Powder Shadow is the way to go. Color stays true and it's easy to layer powder on powder. Choose from soft matte (an all-around flattering option), shimmery (find a formula that's more sheer than frosted), and glittery (a good choice for teens or when you need to look festive) finishes. Many powder shadows are formulated to be used dry or damp, which allows you to adjust the intensity of the color.
Try Cream Shadow if you like the hands on approach. It's easy to apply and blend (just use your fingers) and is incredibly portable. A caveat: this formula tends to crease and doesn't have a lot of staying-power, so pass on this if you tend to have oily eyelids.
For a long-lasting, quick smudge of color try Cream to Powder Shadow. It's ideal if you have a lot of naturally occurring oil in your eyelids and looks best on smooth skin. Avoid a crepey effect by smoothing this on bare lids (don't layer it with other shadow formulas).
EYE LINER
My personal favorite for lining eyes is Powder Shadow because it's long-lasting and easy to master. To get it right, use an eye liner brush that's thin and flat with straight or slightly angled bristles. To avoid the dark specks of shadow that fall under the eyes when you're lining, lightly blow or tap on the brush to get rid of excess shadow. Or better yet, dampen the brush so that the shadow adheres to it.
Most women I know use Eye Pencils because they're relatively mistake-proof. They're a good option if you don't want to fuss around with a separate makeup brush. The downside? Their wax-based formula makes them prone to smearing. If you can't part with your pencil, consider layering powder shadow over it to make it longer-lasting.
If you have a precise hand or want a dramatic effect, go for Liquid or Gel Liner. The waterproof, long-lasting formula makes this a good choice if you're a bride or want your liner to last from day to night.
BLUSH
Powder Blush is the easiest way to fake a natural flush. Powder blends well and works on the majority of skin types. Mistakes like too-strong color can be corrected without melodrama and little effort (a dusting of face powder).
Anyone with really dry skin should reach for a Cream Blush. The emollients in this formula do double-duty, moisturizing skin and helping color glide on effortlessly. It gives skin a nice glow, but don't count on it lasting all day.
If you're into the latest thing, try a Cheek Tint or Gel. This popular formula offers up sheer color, but it takes some trial and error to blend just right. Layer on too much and you'll end up looking splotchy. The upside? It's a good choice for very oily skin.
When you want to dress up your look for evening, try Shimmer Blush. The sheer, shimmery formula gives skin soft highlights and it's just plain fun. Wear it alone or use it as a highlight on cheekbones, layered over a powder blush.
FOUNDATION
If you're a makeup novice, take baby steps with a Tinted Moisturizer that combines the benefits of a face cream with the skin-evening properties of a foundation. It's a good bet for normal and normal to dry skin that needs minimal coverage. Sheer and Creamy
When it comes to versatility, Liquid and Cream Foundations fit the bill. Available in both moisturizing and oil-free formulas, liquids are easy to blend and can go from medium to full-coverage depending on how much you apply. If you go for liquid, be sure to shake the bottle first to make sure heavier parts haven't settled to the bottom.
Look in any professional makeup artist's kit and you're sure to find Stick Foundation. A good choice for normal skin, this travel-friendly formula won't ever spill and it does double-duty evening skin out and covering blemishes.
The cream to powder formulation of Compact Foundation is best for oily skin. Look for one that's not too powdery to avoid looking cakey. Many compacts come with different sponges that allow you to control the amount of coverage you get.
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