You don't need to be born with luminous skin, a plump pout or drop-dead gorgeous eyes — these simple tricks from Australia's top make-up artists will have you gorgeous in no time.
1. If you don't have naturally bee-stung lips, swap deep lipstick shades for something bright. "Then apply some lip gloss just on the centre of the bottom lip where your lips are biggest. When light reflects off the gloss, your lips instantly look fuller," says Michael Brown, national make-up expert for Lancôme.
2. Does your complexion look more cakey than creamy? "The best trick to creating the perfect base is to mix a fabulous primer into your foundation to give you a more radiant, smooth and natural look," says Estée Lauder's senior make-up artist Dean Nixon. "Use a foundation brush and only apply foundation to the T-zone, then blend." Try: Estée Lauder Face Primer Plus Illuminating Primer, $40.
3. So, you've figured out that an eyelash curler instantly opens up the eyes, but how do you add extra oomph to the lashes themselves? "Dust a small amount of loose powder onto the lashes to enhance lash thickness," says Revlon make-up artist and training manager Bree Sharpe. "Coat both sides of your lashes with mascara by rolling your brush along the top of the lashes then applying from underneath. End result? Lashes that dare to be noticed!" Try: Revlon Lash Finder Mascara, $17.95.
4. Can't get your lippie to last? "Apply lipliner after the first coat of lipstick, blot with a tissue and then powder well with translucent powder before reapplying lipstick," says cosmetics creator Napoleon Perdis. "Then all you need is to touch up during the day with a nourishing lip gloss."
5. Make-up artist Elsa Morgan says highlighter is the key to creating luminous skin. "Dab a gold shimmer cream on the outer edge of the eyebrows, the inner corners of the eyes and the cupid's bow of the lips. It's like waving a magic wand! The overall look is shimmery but not shiny, so it's great for every skin type: old, young, oily or dry." Try: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, $66.
6. Want come-hither eyes? Multi-award-winning make-up artist Rae Morris has an easy trick. "Eyeliner often looks better the morning after because the line isn't so harsh," says Morris. Before you go to bed, line your eyes, as close to the lashes as possible, with black eyeliner. "Brown tends to look dirty," says Rae. Cleanse and moisturise your face as usual. You'll wake up with perfect already-blended eyeliner.
7. Want killer cheekbones? Try celebrity make-up artist Dale Dorning's trick (yes, it does require some practise!) "Highlight the inner cheek from the sides of the nose to the cheekbones with a foundation that's up to half a shade lighter than your skin tone. Then, using your foundation brush, apply a sheer strip of foundation above the jawline. Blend well!," says Dorning.
8. Learn the colour wheel, says Make Up Store make-up artist, Vanessa Amadou. "It's important to understand the colours that neutralise shadows, redness and any other imperfections." For example, red covers blue, so that means you'd use a red-tinted concealer to disguise shadows under the eye. Try: Make Up Store Cover All Mix, $49
