When it comes to our skin, nature is generally not kind. As we age, lines, wrinkles, pigmentation spots and more seem to appear out of nowhere. The temptation is to plaster on more makeup in an attempt to cover these flaws, but the truth is, more makeup is not the answer. Finding the right makeup is.

Mature skin looks best when you use a foundation that reflects light. By creating a blank canvas that reflects light, you will draw attention away from lines and wrinkles, without having to cake your face with thick makeup.

The same goes for color choices. You want to use color cosmetics that reflect light, in order to counteract the dullness that comes with age. Paler shades, with a subtle luminescence, are the way to go when it comes to choosing colors.

If you’re like most people, you look to the international fashion shows for inspiration for your fashion and beauty looks. One of the big trends, seen at big name designer shows like D&G and Alberta Ferretti, was the bright lip.
There’s nothing like a bright shade to lift your look and add a little cheerfulness. However, bright lips can be tricky.

Here are a few ideas to help you get it right.

First, remember that bright doesn’t necessarily mean red. Bright pink lips were also seen on the runways. So if you’re not sure that you can pull off red, opt for the easier pink. Next, make sure that you line your lips carefully: Brights can bleed, which is not a good look!

Lastly, choose a bright that matches your skin tone. You get brights with blue and yellow under tones. The former will suit paler skins, while the latter looks amazing on darker skins.

If you don’t know yet that makeup is perishable, then there’s a good chance that some of the products lurking in the bottom of your dresser may be a little past it’s prime.

Each type of makeup has a general shelf life, however, there is an easy way to tell.

If your makeup has changed texture, or separated, especially liquid items like foundation, then it’s safe to say that it needs to be binned. Powder formulations may begin to cake.

Another giveaway that your makeup is when it starts to smell different.

Of course, using makeup that’s beyond its use by date will not only give you poor results, but can also lead to skin irritations and even infections – definitely not the way to get a great look!

Bronzer has gained popularity in recent years, but if you’re still only using it to add color to your face, you’re missing out! Here are a few other great ideas.

Try adding a dusting of bronzer to you cleavage. It will add contours, and make even smaller breasts look bigger and better. Another great idea is to use bronzer on your shoulders and arms, especially if you are wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress or top. No more pasty winter arms.

Instead of wearing pantyhose, you can also use bronzer to warm up white legs, and if you’re short of blusher, it might be able to do double duty there too. Just make sure that your bronzer is only a shade or two darker than your skin tone, and don’t buy any that look too orange.

When it comes to makeup, I’ve always been a quantity more than a quality girl. The reason? I love to play with colors and looks, and buying a whole lot of expensive makeup does not lend itself to having a large makeup kit. At least not for most people.

However, I’ve recently discovered why quality makeup is expensive. It’s the finish. Those designer products have been very carefully formulated to go on smooth, and look great for hours.

Less expensive products also have ingredients added to extend them. These ingredients, like talc, can lead to makeup caking, and creasing as the day or night goes on. More expensive products do not have these ingredients in them, so they look great for a lot longer.

Therefore, while I will hang on to my cheap and cheerful products, I will also be investing in some quality items, for when I really need to look great.

The great thing about makeup is that it has the ability to transform any face shape, and fix most flaws. Here are a few ideas to help you reshape your face without visiting a plastic surgeon!
 

If you want to amplify your cheekbones, then applying a darker shade of blush directly under your cheekbones will create depth, and make them seem more prominent. If your nose is wide, applying a lighter foundation along the centre of your nose, and shading with darker foundation or bronzer along the sides will slim it right down.

Bronzer applied just below the jaw line will help to define it, and if you apply a lighter foundation above this, your jaw line will be highlighted too.
 

If you’re heading off to an event that you know is going to feature photos, then you might want to think about altering your makeup slightly, to makes sure you look your best.

Firstly, avoid foundation that has SPF or light diffusers. This could cause the light from the photos to bounce off your face. Next, go a little heavier than you normally would on color. The harsh light of photos can make your makeup seem insipid.

Lastly, make sure that you apply your powder carefully. Any shine that is present on your face will be magnified by the light of the flash, and you do not want to be looking like an oil slick, do you?

We all know that cosmetics are not cheap. Not the good ones anyway! If you’re going to invest in quality cosmetics, its worth knowing how to make them keep longer, isn’t it? So here are my top tips for keeping makeup fresh longer.

You see, the thing is, as bacteria builds up in your makeup, it starts going bad, and you could end up with nasty infections.

Lipsticks, for example, will last longer than their two year average life span if you store them in the fridge. All makeup should be kept out of the sun, and definitely not stored in the sun.

Powders and eye shadows can benefit from being stored in a box with a few of those silica sachets that you get with new shoes – the silica absorbs the moisture, helping to prolong the life of your powders.