All too often, I catch glimpses of women with unknowingly smeared lipstick and raccoon-like eye makeup on the street. Hey, it happens -- but it doesn’t have to! As a makeup artist for Good Morning America, it’s my job to make sure the anchors and reporters look perfect from the show’s start to finish. With those hot studio lights and high-pressure scenarios, it’s a challenge to make their makeup smudge- and budge-proof.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that really work. With these following tips, you’ll look flawless for hours.

1. Choose the right foundation.
Finding the right foundation that won’t look caked-on after a few hours is essential. The best product depends on your skin type. Experiment with drugstore concealers to find the right one. Sephora-brand concealers are also dependable. They come in a variety of shades for all skin tones and rarely require reapplication throughout the day. I like how they sink into the skin, leaving a nice, natural look.

2. Finish with translucent powder.
Television anchors are constantly under bright studio lights. My trick for keeping them shine-free: I use a translucent powder, which leaves skin with a matte finish. I recommend doing a touchup through the course of a day. Use a facial tissue to gently blot the skin and remove excess oil. Then reapply the translucent powder.

3. Go waterproof.
How often have you looked in the mirror to see smeared mascara or a black under-eye smudge? To prevent this from happening, use waterproof mascara. Some can leave your eyelashes looking brittle or clumpy, so test out a variety of brands.

4. Prime your lids and lips.
Creased, smudged eye shadow is one of the biggest beauty blunders I see. But one simple step can prevent this from happening: First, prime your lid with concealer. Without a primer, the makeup has nothing to hold onto -- and the natural oils in your skin will cause it to slide off and crease. So gently dab a little concealer onto your eyelid before applying any eye makeup.

You can also use this same trick for your lips. Using a finger, blend your concealer right onto your lips. If you find that this causes your lip color to look too light, try filling in your entire lip with a natural-colored lip liner. Then blot with a facial tissue before slicking on your lipstick.

Photo by Angelos Michalopoulos on Unsplash

After a long winter, you’re ready to toss the extra layers. But while the spring brings longer days, you won’t get any color from the five-minute walk from your car to office. Besides, you know that spending too much time in the sun can expose you to harmful UV rays.

The solution? Self-tanners are a safer option, and you can apply them at home. Whether you’re a self-tanning pro or novice, our guide will help you achieve an even golden glow without the streaks. Get ready to transform your complexion from ghostly white to a sun-kissed glow.

Step 1: Get prepped.

For the self-tanner to set in evenly, your skin should be as fresh as possible. Shave your legs and exfoliate any area that you’re self-tanning, with a liquid exfoliating scrub.

Step 2: Apply self-tanner from bottom to top.
Wearing latex gloves, gently apply self-tanner onto your skin. Start at your feet and slowly move up your body to avoid awkward positions, and make sure everything goes on smoothly and evenly. Keep a box of facial tissues on hand to wipe away any excess.

Step 3: Smooth out streaks.
Areas with thinner skin -- your feet, knees, elbows, wrists and ankles -- are susceptible to streaking. Go over these areas carefully to ensure the tan doesn’t look patchy. To avoid streaks on your palms, wipe them down with a tissue after you’re finished.

Step 4: Wait and see.
You need to give the self-tanner the chance to seep in and do its thing, so avoid showering or sleeping (unless you want streaked sheets) for at least six hours afterward. To avoid getting the product on your clothes, wear a loose, old T-shirt. Once your tanner has set, be sure to moisturize each day. Keeping your skin hydrated will extend the length of that gorgeous glow. 

You may have been up all night running tissues and cold compresses to your child, but you’ve still got to show up to that staff meeting this morning looking a little more human. In between dispensing doses of cough syrup and medical advice to the babysitter, you can pull off a sophisticated, office-appropriate look in five minutes. Bonus: You may even have time to brew yourself a cup a tea. 

Step 1: Get Glowing

Tinted moisturizer camouflages a red nose and dark circles. With your fingers, smooth an illuminating formula over any inconsistencies, patting a little extra at the under-eye area. Do the same on any stress blemishes that may have popped up overnight.

Step 2: Wake up Tired Eyes

First, line the upper lash line; use a deep brown shade for a more natural finish. Then curl lashes and apply two or three coats of volumizing mascara to the upper lashes. (Tip: To avoid clumps, circle the wand as you take it out of the tube, which removes excess formula.) Dab a light-reflecting concealer at the inner corners of your eyes for a wide-awake look.

Step 3: Add a Rosy Flush

Trust me when I say this: A peachy blush stick is every woman’s best friend. The color adds a bit of glow to any skin tone. Choose a formula with a hint of shimmer for extra radiance. Apply it to the middle of the cheekbones and at the brow bone; blend in with fingers.

Step 4: Consider Bold Lips

Deep red lips scream confidence. Slick on a lip stain for serious stay-put power. Plus, a true red with blue undertones will also brighten a dull smile.

Step 5: Get Slick

No time to fuss with your blow-dryer or curling iron? Sweep your hair in a chic chignon for instant sophistication. Part your hair down the middle, gather it at the nape of the neck and fasten with a non-slip holder. Divide the ponytail in two sections. Coil the first around the base and fasten with a bobby pin. Repeat with the second section, tucking the ends underneath the elastic. Spritz with a stronghold hairspray.

Step 6: Accessorize

Nothing says pulled-together like a well-cut jacket. Place a black or navy blazer over any top for instant polish, and add a scarf for a pop of color.

Photo by Nojan Namdar on Unsplash

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We all have our favorite tried-and-true shades and products in our daily makeup routine. But if you’ve been using the same eye shadow or lipstick since high school, it’s time for a change. Switching up your makeup is one of the easiest ways to update your look -- without having to invest in a whole new wardrobe.

Fortunately, there are a number of new hot-off-the-runway trends, like bold lips and pops of pastel, which are both fun and wearable. With my tips for makeup application, you’ll be able pull off a fresh new look -- without much effort.

Makeup Routine Shake-up: A Bold Lip

A colorful pucker is one of the easiest ways to brighten up your entire face. But what if that fire-engine red lipstick makes you feel more clownish than couture? Opt for a poppy or coral color. These shades have the same oomph, but they’re more versatile -- and they won’t overpower your face.

To take the vibrancy down a notch, swipe on your lipstick in a thin layer. Blot after each swipe with facial tissues, which are gentle on lips’ sensitive skin Then reapply; repeat until you reach your desired shade. Or make your own tinted lip balm for a gentle glow: Using a well-sharpened pencil instead of lipstick, lightly sketch color onto your lips. Then blend all over with a lip balm. Revlon has an excellent selection of lipstick options available on Amazon.

Makeup Routine Shake-up: Pastel Eyes

For a summery twist, consider using one of the pretty Easter egg–hued eye shadows that are popping up at makeup counters. When done right, these shades can add dramatic pop of color or create a subtle, romantic smoky-eyed look.

If you want a natural, understated look, use shades that are in the same color family as your eye color -- for instance, a mint shade for green eyes. Prefer a more dramatic look to make your eyes pop? Consider this color guide for makeup application:

· Green or hazel eyes: lavender

· Blue eyes: peach creamsicle

· Warm brown eyes: cornflower blue

· Cool brown eyes: mint green

At the drugstore or makeup counter, look for a shimmer instead of matte shadow. Because these products contain less pigment, they’re easier to blend and produce a more subtle effect.

How to apply: To keep the shadow from falling under the eyes or onto your cheeks, place a facial tissue beneath your eye to catch any of the loose powder. Then brush a thin layer of shadow across the entire lid. Moving the brush back and forth, blend a second layer into the eye crease. Finally, add a little highlighter (a lighter shade) to the brown bone and the inner corners of your eyes.

Makeup Routine Shake-up: Decorated Nails

Another way to wear these popular pastels: on your nails. The next time you’re in the drugstore, pick up a light green, yellow, pink or purple shade to instantly give your outfit a summery twist.

To go one step further, try an embellished nail. Although these designs look time-intensive, the application is surprisingly easy. Start by selecting two shades of peach polish. Paint your nails with the base shade. Once that layer has dried completely, take a toothpick and dip it into the other accent color. Dab off excess polish facial tissues, making sure that only a small amount is left. Paint dots onto your nails carefully; make sure to evenly space them out. Wait until the dots are dry, and then paint over the entire nail with a top coat.

Makeup Routine Shake-up: Creamy Cheeks

This season, all-over bronzer has taken a backseat to a blushing glow. But applying this look the old-fashioned way can miss the mark. That’s because powder blush is more visible, making radiant skin appear dull.

I suggest using a cream blush because you can control how much and where the product is applied. With two fingers, dot the blush onto the apples of your cheeks (to find them, smile). Then move your fingers in a circular motion to blend the dots of color into your skin. To make it look completely natural, go back with soft facial tissues, which will protect delicate skin on your eyes and cheeks, and smudge the blush even more.

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Thought those embarrassing breakouts would go the same way of teenage angst and strict curfews? As it turns out, adult acne is becoming increasingly common. According to a recent report from the American Dermatological Association, nearly half of women in their 20s and one in four women in their 30s battles clinical acne.

In many cases, these breakouts are caused by different triggers now than in your teens. “Our skin is an eliminating organ, which often acts up when the body is out of balance,” says Tammy Fender, an aesthetician and the founder of Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care. “So we may need to make a few changes with our emotions, diet, or lifestyle.” Ready to finally give those blemishes the boot? Start with these simple changes so you can finally get that clear, glowing complexion:

Healthy Skin Step No. 1: Eat more fruits and veggies.
To clear up your skin, you have to clean up your diet. One study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that people who ate a diet high in sugar and refined carbs (foods high on the glycemic index) were more acne-prone than those who dined on healthier meals. After they started eating more produce, whole grains and lean protein, their complexions significantly cleared up.

“Your skin is nourished by the nutrients that you consume,” explains Fender. In fact, British researchers show that adding three more servings of produce to your diet can make a visible improvement to the quality of your skin within six weeks.

Healthy Skin Step No. 2: Clean with gentle products.
When you’re trying to zap a zit, it’s tempting to reach for the most powerful products in the drugstore. “But these harsh ingredients can aggravate the skin,” says Fender, who recommends looking for those made with natural anti-inflammatories like thyme and tea tree.

The American Dermatological Association advises washing with a mild cleanser twice a day, and opting for a non-clogging moisturizer daily. If you opt for a drying product or zit cream, apply only a thin layer -- using more than recommended will only aggravate your skin.

Healthy Skin Step No. 3: Be diligent about makeup removal.
Your makeup can clog your pores, paving the way for a breakout. So clean your face each night. “I recommend taking off your makeup as soon as you can, like first thing when you get home,” says Fender.

One of her favorite makeup products is jojoba oil, which removes stubborn products without leaving an oily or greasy feeling. Simply put the oil on a cotton pad or facial tissue and wipe away any makeup before washing your face with a gentle cleaner.

Healthy Skin Step No. 4: Stress less.
Research from Wake Forest University shows that stress causes your skin to produce more oil, which can trigger pimple production. So no matter how hectic your day is, make sure to set aside some time to relax: Go on a solo walk, do a yoga DVD or simply take a few deep breaths.

Healthy Skin Step No. 5: Don’t wage war on that pimple.
“Treat breakouts as you would a wound,” advises Fender. That means avoiding picking, squeezing or jabbing at that zit, which can introduce more bacteria and make matters worse.

Instead, she recommends treating the blemish with an antiseptic product, like her Tammy Fender Clarifying Dermagel. “It’s made with myrrh, thyme and tea tree, which battle bacteria and help to oxygenate and heal the skin,” she says.

If over-the-counter products don’t work on your skin, you may want to consult a dermatologist.

Photo by Richard Jaimes on Unsplash

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