Step-by-Step Beauty

Still mystified by the smoky eye? Scared of a crimson lip? With the help of Clinique makeup artist Jenna Menard, we present a how-to guide for pretty-on-everyone looks

Insta-Glam Red Lip

Step 1: Trace lips with a colorless liner (try Too Faced Borderline) to create a no-budge barrier.

Step 2: To add depth and make lips look fuller, fill in pout with a lipliner a touch darker than the lipstick hue.

Step 3: Apply lipstick. Blue-based reds complement fair complexions; orange-reds work well with darker tones.

Step 4: Dab highlighter over the cupid’s bow to accentuate the arch.

Quick
Contouring

Step 1: Using the top edge of a large brush, apply powder bronzer (a shade darker than skin tone) below the cheekbone.

Step 2: Use the flat side of the same brush to sweep translucent powder over the bronzer to set.

Step 3: Buff a matte powder blush over the apple of the cheek and along the cheekbone.

Step 4: Dot highlighter, such as Benefit High Beam, along the upper cheekbone and blend for a dewy glow.

Five-Minute Smoky Eye

Step 1: Prime with a gray cream base (try Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in Curvaceous Coal).

Step 2: Draw a thin line of black eyeliner across the upper lash line.

Step 3: Layer a dark gray matte shadow over the cream base for dimension.

Step 4: Use a silver shadow shade to highlight the crease and inner eye.

Step 5: Line the lower lashes, then use a slanted liner brush to top the liner with silver shadow.

Step 6: Finish with generous coats of black mascara on both the upper and lower lashes.

Two-Step
Cat Eye

Step 1: Extend gel liner from the inner corner along upper and lower lash lines, just past the outer edge, creating an eye-opening wing.

Step 2: Sweep a light-reflecting gilded shadow (such as Maybelline New York ExpertWear in Golden Halo) across the lid.

Glowy Skin: Day

Step 1: As the first line of defense, apply an antioxidant serum to ward off free radical damage. Try Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

TIP: If necessary, target blemishes first with a sal-acid spot treatment.

Step 2: A roller-ball eye serum with caffeine will diminish dark circles and deflate puffiness by constricting blood vessels and stimulating micro-circulation. Try Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

Step 3: Hydrate with moisturizer to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier and create a smooth, even base for makeup. Try Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator Facial Treatment

TIP: If you have combination skin, skip the T-zone area.

Step 4: Rain or shine, fend off rays with a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen. Try Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46

TIP: If you use a retinoid, which makes skin prone to burning, SPF is extra crucial.

Glowy Skin: Night

Step 1: Not using a retinoid? Get to a derm, stat. Nothing beats its anti-aging effects, and newer formulas, like Renova (shown), are formulated for sensitive skin.

Not ready for an Rx? Try a potent serum to speed up cell turnover. Try Estée Lauder ‘Advanced Night Repair’ Synchronized Recovery Complex

TIP: Layer topicals from lightest (serums) to heaviest (creams).

Step 2: To avoid irritation, keep potent serums away from the eyes. Treat the area with a vitamin A-and-C- packed eye cream to soften lines and fade brown spots. Try RoC Multi-Correxion Eye Treatment

Step 3: Top with a hydrating moisturizer. Try La Mer Moisturizing Cream

TIP: New to retinoids? For the first few weeks, apply first instead of last as a buffer.

Faux Lashes

Step 1: Trim each end of the lash strip as needed for a proper fit.

Step 2: Use a tiny brush to paint glue onto strip edge; let set for a few seconds to become tacky and prevent sliding on lid. Try MAC DUO Adhesive for Falselashes

Step 3: Grasp the center of the falsies with tweezers and press the strip into the base of your natural lash line. Try Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers

Step 4: Let glue dry for a minute, then finish with coats of mascara to blend real and false lashes.

Perfect Arches

Step 1: Tweeze stray hairs in the direction they grow, being careful to not overpluck. (Save shape overhauls for the pros.) Try Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers

Step 2: Create the appearance of full brows by using a soft pencil to fill in sparse areas. Try Lancôme’s Le Crayon Poudre

Step 3: Brush on clear brow gel to set the look.

Step 4: Trace under the brow with a highlighter to define the arch.