Lets talk about your face! Good skin is an essential part to good makeup. And when I say good skin, I'm not talking about not having acne/blemishes. I'm talking about well hydrated and exfoliated skin. Fortunately we have makeup that can cover up acne/blemishes, but when it comes to dry, flakey skin, things can start to get a little messy.

You should cleanse and moisturize morning and night and exfoliate at least once a week but no more than three times a week. These steps are HUGE. Like for real though, don't skip it.

Favorite Cleansers:

Lush Ultrabland (wax based cleanser)
Live Crude Everything Oil (oil cleansing method)
Philosophy Purity

Favorite Moisturizers (don't forget to use a SPF in the day time):

Josie Maran Milk
Live Crude Everything Oil (yes, it's also used as a moisturizer)
Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Gel (great for oily skin)

Favorite Exfoliators:

Don't forget that your skin can take a while to get used to new products. When trying new skin care products, be sure to give it at least a month before making a decision on whether you like the product or not.

Currently, I use the Ultrabland cleanser, Josie Maran Milk to moisturize, and a DIY sugar scrub to exfoliate. Josie Maran has a new Argan Daily Moisturizer that contains a 47 SPF that I've recently started using in the day time that I am loving.

Now lets get started. Once your face is cleansed, apply some moisturizer.

Apply a small amount to your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.  Gently rub in with your fingers starting from the center and work your way out.  Don't forget your neck!! — Apply a small amount to your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Gently rub in with your fingers starting from the center and work your way out. Don't forget your neck!!

Who out there hates their pores? I know I do! Primer is an important step in creating that flawless face without using a lot of makeup. One of my favorite primers is the Benefit The POREfessional primer.

Apply a pea size amount to your t-zone.  With your fingers, gently rub in the primer focusing on the areas where you feel your pores are the biggest. — Apply a pea size amount to your t-zone. With your fingers, gently rub in the primer focusing on the areas where you feel your pores are the biggest.

Dark circles are the worst. They can make you look tired and old. BLAH!! A little trick in getting rid of the appearance of dark circles is to use a salmon colored corrector. I bought the Graftobian Corrector Wheel in Light. I use the salmon and light tone pinkish color and mix them together to create the perfect color for my under eyes.

Mix the salmon and pinkish toned colors together and apply to the under eyes with a small concealer brush.  Use your ring finger and pat the product into your skin.*Tip: Your ring finger has the least amount of pressure and is one of the best b… — Mix the salmon and pinkish toned colors together and apply to the under eyes with a small concealer brush. Use your ring finger and pat the product into your skin.
*Tip: Your ring finger has the least amount of pressure and is one of the best beauty tools to use.

One of my most frequently asked questions is what foundation I use. My most very favorite foundation to use on an every day basis is Stila Tinted Moisturizer in the color Tone. Now don't let the words "Tinted Moisturizer" scare you. It is much more pigmented than you would expect. Its very similar to a BB cream. This tinted moisturizer leaves you with the most glowly, hydrated looking skin. Has such a beautiful luminosity to it that I'm sorta addicted too. It's the perfect foundation for everyday.

A very important step that can often times be overlooked is concealer. Don't forget to use concealer. I used the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in the color Custard.

One of my new favorite things to do is bake. And i'm not talking about baking in the kitchen. Lets bake those under eyes. Baking is where you take a generous amount of powder and apply it on top of the concealer and let it "bake" for 5+ minutes. My all time holy grail setting powder is Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. This stuff is seriously amazing. If you have oily skin, I suggest setting all of your makeup with this.

I like to use a dry beauty sponge by Real Techniques (dupe for the Beauty Blender), get some powder on the sponge and apply it to your under eyes.  Be sure that there are no creases under your eyes before you set it with powder.  After 5+ … — I like to use a dry beauty sponge by Real Techniques (dupe for the Beauty Blender), get some powder on the sponge and apply it to your under eyes. Be sure that there are no creases under your eyes before you set it with powder. After 5+ minutes, use a fluffy brush and wipe off any extra powder.

Stay tuned for the rest of the makeup details including eyes, lips, and bronzer/blush.

-Whit