Browsing through my family album the other day, I found a picture of myself wearing blue liner on the inside rims of my eyes. What was I thinking? I wondered. If you've been guilty of similar cosmetic crimes--and think you may still be an occasional makeup outlaw--read on for tips on turning these makeup don'ts into do's.

Ring around the lips

An obvious line between your lip liner and lipstick is not only dated, it's unflattering. For the most natural look, pick liner that is the same shade or one shade darker than your natural lip color. Line lips after applying your lipstick and follow your natural lip line; you may then want to use a lip brush to soften and blend the liner. If you have small lips, don't try to create the illusion of bigger ones by drawing outside your lip line; the best way to enhance them is with a medium-toned lipstick or a creamy gloss.


The wrong foundation shade

Foundation smudged on a woman's shirt collar is a dead giveaway that she's applying foundation on her neck to make it match her face. If your foundation changes the color of your face, it's not the right shade; it should match your complexion exactly. To find your perfect match, smooth foundation along your jawline and check your reflection in natural light (carry a compact mirror with you, and step outside).

You know you've found the right shade when you can't see it. Yellow-toned foundations look the most natural on all skin tones, from fair to dark. Avoid pink-toned foundation, which can make you look like you're wearing a mask.

Drawn-in brows

I love a defined brow--except when it's drawn in with a hard pencil, which makes it look cartoonish. Eye shadow in a tone that matches your brows is the most natural way to fill in and enhance brows. Use a small, hard brush that's flat and angled at the tip. Dip the brush into the shadow, and lightly tap off any excess. Start at the inner corner of the brow and, following its natural shape, work your way outward using light, feathery strokes. Read the entire article. "