How to Buy Makeup For the First Time

Don't believe sales clerks who tell you that you absolutely must wear foundation. If you have gorgeous skin, why cover it up?

If you do want to wear foundation, I highly recommend skipping the drugstore this time. Although there are some fabulous formulas at low prices, it's nice to try the foundation on your skin before buying. Wear it around for a couple of hours and see how it looks in different lighting. If you have dry skin, avoid powders; they'll just highlight flakes. Skip the makeup primer for now; you might not need it, so wait and see.
Concealer is a must have for most women. (Without it, I look like Uncle Fester on a bender.) You may want two kinds of concealer. For the undereye area, look for a product with mica in the ingredient list. The subtle luminosity will reflect light, making you look more awake. Yay. If you have acne, Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Concealer delivers a bit of salicylic acid while covering.

Bottom line: If there's one place to splurge on makeup, it's here. Since you'll wear this on much of your face, it's worth paying a little more to try different shades and formulas.Source: Flickr User Sandy Tejeda