s a makeup artist, it’s my job to make people look good. My co-workers—hair stylists, wardrobe stylist, and colorists—also spend their time making people look good. Constantly surrounded by all this beautification, I have picked up tons of professional tricks to share with you. Below are my top tips for looking good.

1. Listen to Your Skin

Your skin is a barometer for what’s going on inside your body. For example, if the fine lines on your face look more like ravines, you’re most likely dehydrated. Or if your skin appears grey and dull, you need to exfoliate. Pay attention to what your skin is telling to you.

	Clients always look at me strangely when I tell them that they “eat makeup.”

2. Learn Your Skin Type

When I give someone a facial for the first time, I always inquire about his or her at-home skin care regimen. Most of the time, the client is using the wrong products for their type of skin, or they don’t even know what kind of skin they have. There are four skin types: dry, combination, oily, and sensitive. All the skin care products on the market are designed to balance your skin, and in order to navigate the skincare arena you have understand your skin’s needs.

3. Don’t Neglect Your Body

You spend so much time and money on your face, don’t neglect the skin on the rest of your body. It is important to exfoliate and moisturize your body regularly. You can indulge in body care—just because it is a daily thing doesn’t mean it can’t be a daily pick-me-up. Buy a body scrub that you think smells amazing, or a moisturizer that makes you feel incredible. Make total body skin care a daily treat.

4. Get Your Brows Done Professionally

Have an expert groom your brows. I’ve worked with so many beautiful models that have terribly shaped eyebrows. A brow shape that flatters your face makes everything else look better. A good brow shaping can be pricey, but it’s worth it.

5. Skimp on Mascara

Don’t waste your money on expensive mascara. Expensive mascara is rarely better than its less expensive counterpart. In fact, I find that if women spend a lot of money on mascara, they are dead set on keeping that tube for as long as possible, which usually means they are using dried up, clumpy mascara for a few months. I use $10-or-less drug store brand mascara and I buy a new tube every three weeks. Also, don’t be afraid to give your lashes a good coating. Push the mascara into the root of the lash in a zigzag motion. If you get a little on your skin just clean it up with a cotton swab.

6. Apply Eye Makeup First

You may have noticed that when you apply eye makeup, it can sprinkle down on to the skin under your eye. In order to clean up the excess shadow without also removing concealer and foundation, apply your eye make up before putting any makeup on your skin.

7. Use Primer

Clients always look at me strangely when I tell them that they “eat makeup.” The expression means that the skin’s oil is mixing with and dissolving makeup, which makes it disappear quickly. This happens most dramatically on the eyelids. If you find that your makeup vanishes shortly after application, you should rely on primers to block the oil on your skin from mixing with your makeup.

8. Invest in Quality Brushes

The right makeup brushes make makeup application much easier. Brushes come in many shapes and sizes and different materials and each one is designed for a specific use. Make sure you have the right tools for the products you are using. Good brushes are expensive, but if you take care of them correctly, they will last for a very long time. Use a spray brush cleaner after each use and a wash for your brushes (you can use baby shampoo) once a month.