Beauty Problem: You never seem to get your foundation shade right. You ask, “How do I find the perfect match for your skin?”

Solution: Foundation should match the area between your cheekbone and jaw so always test it there. Do not even think about trying to match it anyplace else. When smoothed on, the correct shade will “disappear” into your skin. Department store beauty advisers will be more than happy to help you find the perfect match, but indoor lighting is not always the best place to judge color accurately. Even with expert help, it is a good idea to bring along a pocket mirror so you can check out the color match outdoors – in daylight. As more and more mass-market brands offer testers, it is become easier to find the right shade in drugstores and chain stores. Do your own swatching, and then check the color outside with your trusty mirror.

Beauty Problem: You want your makeup to stay put longer because yours seem to vanish by lunchtime.

Solution: It all comes down to careful application – and touches of powder.

1. Face

• Make sure moisturizer is not too oily, or makeup will slide right off.

• Allow time for moisturizer to be absorbed into the skin before applying foundation.

• Use loose powder to help lock foundation in place. Using a generous hand, pat-press powder into skin with a velour puff, then take away excess with a brush.

2. Eyes

• Powder eye shadow lasts longer than cream shadow.

• A base of loose powder from lash line to brow will help make shadow crease-proof.

• If you use pencils to line your eyes, carefully go over the line with a powder eye shadow in the same color.
• Use waterproof mascara.

3. Lips

• Outline and fill in lips with pencil to create a matte base – the better for lipstick to cling to.

• After applying lipstick, blot with a tissue and apply a second coat. (Two thin layers last longer than a thickly glooped-on one.)

Beauty Problem: When you do your own manicure, the polish starts to chip within days. You ask, “How can I make my nails look really good and get the polish to last?”

Solution: Here are the 3 ways to do it:

• Nails must be totally bare before applying polish. Remove every bit of old enamel, preferably with an acetone-based remover. Use a cuticle softener, then with a metal cuticle pusher, rub away any dead skin from the nail plate and push back cuticles. Next, to remove nay lingering oils, wipe nails down with a cleanser or wash fingers with a liquid soap.

• Always use a proper base coat to help the polish stay anchored to the nail. (Topcoats are not a good substitute.)

• Keep polish fresh. Three days after your manicure, apply a layer to topcoat to punch up the shine. Use a quick-dry formula so the polish layers underneath do not soften up and smudge.