Good makeup is more than a touch of lipstick, a dash of eyeliner and a coat of mascara. Done properly, it is a precise art that can transform you dramatically. All it takes is the inclination, the right tools and some good cosmetics. It can make your skin look flawless, make your eyes expressive and your mouth provocative. It can give you a natural look, a sexy one or a glamorous one, depending on the mood you’re in and the colors you use. In short, it can take you from seedha-saadha to drop dead gorgeous.

Our makeup artist takes you through the whole process in simple, easy-to-follow steps.

1. Clean and clear
The most important step before you begin the application of makeup is that the skin must be absolutely clean. Wash your face well either with a soap or with a cleanser suited to your skin type. Pat dry gently. Then, apply toner and moisturizer to create a smooth, clean surface, which helps the makeup come on easier and stay longer. Also, remember to apply makeup in front of a large mirror in natural daylight or in a well-lit room.

2. Laying the foundation
Creating a base is technically the first step in applying makeup. Foundation and concealer are used to do that because even-looking skin without any blemishes enhances the effect of makeup. When you select foundation, it’s important that you choose a shade close to your skin tone. Using a shade lighter or darker than you natural color will only give you a mask-like effect. Use a cosmetic sponge to apply foundation as using your fingers can result in an uneven finish. Apply foundation in dots and then blend each one with a slightly damp sponge. Apply outwards from the centre of the face and blend carefully around the hair and jawline. The key is in blending the foundation well so that you have an even tone that extends from the face to the upper area of the neck. Don’t forget to check for streaks on your jawline, nose, forehead and chin.

3. Under wraps
After this, use a concealer, which is a concentrated form of foundation with a very high pigment content, to hide dark circles and blemishes. It’s best to use a concealer that is closest to your skin tone because a lighter shade may accentuate the problem area. Remember to blend the concealer properly after you apply it on a spot or blemish. Apply the concealer exactly on a blemish or pimple and then smooth away the edges with a clean cotton bud. Applying more concealer may draw attention to that spot.

4. Seal it in
Powder helps seal in the foundation and concealer. It absorbs oil from the skin and gives it a sheen. It is also recommended for people who have enlarged pores as it conceals them. Use loose powders, which provide the best finish, instead of pressed powders. It is advisable to use a large sable hair powder brush to apply the powder. Use tinted translucent powder or a shade that closely matches your skin tone. Lower the powder puff into the powder case, tap off the excess powder and press gently onto the face. Brush off any excess powder on the face. Use light, downward strokes to help prevent the powder from getting caught in the fine hair of your skin. Pay attention to the sides of the face and jawline.

5. Don’t beat your brow?
Groom your eyebrows by combing them with a damp eyebrow brush. This will remove any excess powder that may have settled on them and also define and shape them. Defined eyebrows add balance and symmetry to the face. Shape and contour eyebrows either with an eyebrow contouring powder or a special eyebrow pencil that matches your hair color. You may need to tweeze a stray hair or two to give the brow a definite shape.

6. Are you being shadowed?
Used well, eye shadow can add a soft glow or produce a dramatic effect. Apply a darker shade of eye shadow within the socket area of the eyelid. Use a color that harmonizes with the colors of your lipstick and blusher.

7. Different shades
The colors should get lighter as you near the brow area so that you get a three-dimensional shading of a darker shade on the socket, a medium one in the centre and a lighter color below the brow. What is important thing is to continuously blend the colors so that they complement each other.

8. Drawing the line
After you shade your eye, move on to eyeliner. It is important to line the eye to enhance its shape and add definition to it. Use a neat medium-sized brush to line your eye with liquid eyeliner as close to the lashes as possible.

9. On the dot
If you’re using an eye pencil, draw a soft line close to the lashes. Or make a line of dots along the lashes and join the dots. Run over the pencil line with a brush. Use a kohl pencil to line the area under the lower lashes at the outer corners of the eye to complete the look.

10. Luscious lashes
Mascara opens up the eyes and adds volume to the lashes. Use an eyelash curler to begin with. Then apply mascara to your upper lashes. Brush them downwards first and then upwards from underneath. Use the tip of the mascara wand to brush the lower lashes gently in a side-to-side technique. Ensure that you keep your handy steady while applying the mascara. Comb through your lashes with an eyelash comb to remove any excess that has been left behind.

11. Highlight of the day
Blusher adds a hint of color highlights the cheekbones and contours the face. When using a blusher make sure you use a natural color on the apples of the cheek, moving towards the temples.(After your makeup is all done, you may need to add more blusher or blend away any excess or use a compact to tone it down.)

12. Definitely shady
Try and use shades of warmer brown (tan), known as a shading color, to contour your face. Shading the area under the cheekbones and an inch above them will also give definition. Use the same brush along the jawline and hairline to soften a heavy facial structure.

13. Smooth operator
Prepare your lips with a lip balm or moisturizer to soften them. Use a little foundation and powder to fill the crevices and ensure that the lipstick stays longer. Outline the lips with a lip liner or lip pencil. Use a shade darker or a color similar to your lipstick to get a better effect.

14. A perfect pout
After you line your lips, use a lip brush to fill them in with a lipstick in a complementing color. Use lipsticks with built-in moisturizers and sunscreens if you have lips that tend to dry easily. Blot the lipstick with a tissue to ensure that the color will last longer. Reapply lipstick for a better finish.

15. Whatta face!
Finishing touches like a touch of black kohl or white eye pencil inside the eye to make small eyes appear bigger are quite important. Use a little iridescent powder above the cheekbones to highlight them and on your shoulder blades for a glam effect. And you’re ready to go!