There are a few rules when it comes to applying bronzer, and the most important one is to applying sparingly. Remember, it’s better to apply less bronzer and add it on later than to remove it. So start off with a big, soft blush/bronzing brush and swirl it around your bronzer. Tap off any excess and apply very very lightly. Then, you can keep repeating until you get the desired color.

To get a natural looking glow, you should hit all the spots that the sun would hit such as your cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. My favorite trick that I’ve been using for years and years is one of the simplest tricks, and also gives you a beautiful, natural glow. Take your bronzing brush and contour just above your brows, cheeks, and jaw, making a number 3. This will hit all the natural spots and will also ensure that there are no streaks. And remember, apply in small amounts until you get your perfect color!

The first thing you need to think about when doing nude lips is the rest of your makeup. Usually, nude lips look best with a smoky eye or some heavy mascara, so don’t be afraid to pamper your peepers before starting.

One of the best tricks I’ve learned about doing a perfect nude lip is to exfoliate the lips before starting. This will ensure a smooth canvas. After you’ve exfoliated, apply a lip primer so your lipstick will stay on longer.

Get a little bit of concealer or foundation on your index finger and dab it onto your lips so that they are the same color as your complexion. Make sure you don’t smear it, but that you dab it on instead. Next, pick a nude lip liner, one shade lighter than the lipstick you’re going to use. Lightly line your upper and lower lips.

This is where the tricky part comes in. Choosing the right nude lip color for you can be an experiment, so pick up a few good nude lip colors and try them out to see which one you like. I am currently obsessed with MAC’s ViVa Glam lipstick in GaGa, which, as you probably already know, isn’t nude, but pink. But what I love about this color is that you can build it up to your liking, and although it isn’t nude, it makes for an amazing shade over the concealer-colored lips.

Just dab the lipstick on and then pat it with your fingers. Finish off with a coat of beige gloss and you’re all set!

Start off with a clean lid and apply a primer to hold everything in place. Swipe on a shimmery champagne shadow to your lid. For the crease, use a dark brown shadow and use a blending brush to blend it all in. Add more color if you need to.

Finish off by lining top and bottom lashes with either a black or brown pencil liner. I usually like to use black, but during the day I’ll stick to brown. Finish off with four coats of mascara and you’re all set. If you’re thinking four coats are too many, you can cut back, but remember this is still a smoky eye so you might want to try it out first!

For a lot of people, orange is a hard color to pull off. Surprisingly though, orange is a very flattering color since it instantly adds a natural glow to your skin tone. This spring, designers lit up the runways with a range of vibrant tangerines, neon oranges and amped-up corals that looked yummy and wearable all at once. But if you’re not used to wearing orange, it can seem a little tricky. So here’s how to make sure you’re wearing the right hues at the right time.

If you decide to wear orange near your face, such as a top, a hat or accessories, pick vibrant shades of mango for olive-to-dark skin tone. If you’re a little paler, opt for more muted orange shades such as a sunset color. When trying on garments at the store, just hold up the item near your face; if it makes your eyes pop and brightens up your face, you’ve got a winner. But if it makes you look pale or drab, put it back!

Also, when you’re wearing statement colors such as orange, you have to be able to stand out, and not your clothing. Don’t let the garment take over you, YOU should take over the garment and wear it confidently.

Georgina Goodman Women’s Constance Suede Patent Pump

If you want to sport a crazy neon orange but you’re afraid it will look bad against your skin tone, grab something that is away from the face such as a belt or a pair of shoes. Also, rememeber that you can transition slowly into a new color by taking on a few pieces that have just a hint of orange. After which, you can gradually progress.

*Run a warm bath & soak for a good 10 minutes

*Put on loofah mitts (the softer, the better)

*Sprinkle a palm-full of sea salt on a mitt

*Mix in the liquid body soap

*Rub mitts together so the salt & soap are mixed together and rub all over your body in a circular motion.

* Rinse thoroughly and follow with a rich moisturizer.

Protect and Prevent
You already know that moisturizing with an SPF is essential in preventing wrinkles, but sun protection is also the first step in creating a flawless makeup-free look. After all, you don’t just want to fake a flawless look, you want to achieve your best complexion. Carmindy recommends Skinceuticals Sport UV Defense ($37 at Skinceuticals.com) which contains a whopping SPF of 45. “Makeup lays over it nicely,” she says. Apply a thin layer and allow skin to fully absorb before moving on to the next step.

Primed for Success
Between putting on moisturizer and makeup, there is an important step that is often overlooked — applying primer. A seemingly magic potion, makeup primer masks large pores, fine lines and minor imperfections. “Primer allows the skin to feel smooth and for makeup to glide on seamlessly,” Carmindy explains. Apply a small amount of primer, like Luminizing Face Primer ($12 at Drugstore.com), to even out rough spots and prep your face for foundation and color that will last.

Sheer Foundation
Thick, melting makeup is the antithesis of a fresh-faced look. To even skin tone and create an illusion of flawless skin, ditch the heavy cream foundations and lighten up. “A sheer foundation is perfect for summer months. It stays light, never gets cakey and remains shine-free on the skin,” Carmindy explains.

She suggests a spray-on foundation, applied with a non-latex sponge, to get a natural look. Her pick: Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Airbrush Spray Makeup ($11 at CVS.com). It contains antioxidants and botanicals to improve skin over time.

And for faces that need less coverage, a tinted moisturizer provides an even lighter option. Smooth on Carmindy’s favorite, Lorac Sun Protection ProtecTint SPF 30 ($32 at LoracCosmetics.com), with your fingers. “It’s oil-free and perfect for warm weather coverage and sun protection.”

Spot Check
Don’t let a pesky little pimple sabotage your smooth complexion. The right layers of concealer will hide the blemish without blowing your natural makeup look.

“Use a small-tipped concealer brush to pick up a touch of concealer, then lightly dab your blemish over the foundation,” Carmindy instructs. “Amazing Cosmetics Concealer ($42 at AmazingCosmetics.com) has a waterproof formula and stays put in heat and humidity.”

When you’re finished, dust translucent powder over the skin to set the makeup and to keep your face looking fresh.

Wow Brows
A natural look doesn’t mean wild eyebrows. It takes only a moment to keep brows looking polished and the pay-off is huge. Carmindy’s secret weapon is Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel ($21 at Anastasia.net). “Lightly brush on a little of the tinted gel to keep plucked brows in place.” It adds a subtle richness of color, too.

Kiss of Color
Now that your face looks flawless and feels light, you only need a touch of color to make the look complete.

A cream blush is a great choice for a clean, natural-looking rosiness. Carmindy adds color with Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming ($9 at CVS.com). “This cream blush mimics your natural flush, and the shade is universally flattering on all skin tones.” Swirl it onto the apples of your cheeks and blend with your fingertips.

Or grab a blush brush and try Bare Escentuals All-Over Face Color in Clear Radiance ($18 at Sephora.com).

Be careful not to gum up your flawless face with a sticky, too-shiny lip gloss. Give your pout kissable color with a tinted lip balm, like Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment, ($22.50 at Fresh.com) that is light and subtle — just like your bright new look!