These Illustrations Will Turn You Into A Makeup Expert

*bookmarks forever*

We talked with a bareMinerals beauty expert so she could teach us her magical, flawless ways. She answered all our burning questions and shared her advice on how to be a makeup pro!

1. What kind of foundation should I be using for my skin type? —Alex S.

"There’s a perfect foundation out there for everyone! As a person with very dry skin, I’ve found that thirsty skin will sometimes drink up hydrating formulas. Instead, a mineral powder (something without talcs or silicas as they absorb moisture) is perfect for dry skin. Now, oily friends, look for something with a long wear claim. Use an oil-control primer and good setting powders (I like cornstarch and/or a silica base) to set and touch up. For acne, find a foundation that has been tested by a dermatologist to be gentle and non–pore clogging. I look for products with fewer ingredients because it lessens the chance of your skin reacting to something."

2. Is there really a difference between powder foundation and liquid foundation? —Lisa N.

"Yep! And a really good makeup bag should have both. Many flawless faces are using both a liquid and a powder foundation at once. Liquids have the ability to layer and build coverage, even smooth texture and scarring. Powders give soft finishes and are great for skin that flakes if touched too much. Foundation is like anything in life: having options is always better."

3. But seriously, how do I apply highlighter? —Tara P.

"Step 1. Look at your face.

Step 2. Decide which parts of your face you want to stand out. It can be anything! Most people focus on cheek bones because who doesn’t want those to shine? I focus on my chin because it’s tiny, and I want to make it look more pronounced.

Step 3. Apply highlighter. Whether it’s powder or liquid, sparkly or matte, the goal is to draw attention or bring those areas forward. Note: If you highlight all over, the affect could be lost."

4. Which eyeshadows bring out different eye colors? —Jamie M.

"Opposites attract, so whip out your color wheel! If you have blue eyes, the opposite color of blue is orange. You may not want to wear orange eyeshadows, but you can look for warm browns and coppers that have orange or even golden hints. For green eyes, the opposite color is red, so look for purples and browns with red undertones. Now brown eyes are trickier because there is no opposite color to brown, but look closer — do you want to bring out the red or mahogany (use greens) or the light golden/yellow tones (use navy)? Neutral or nude pallets look great on everyone!"

5. Please help me. My foundation game is a mess — how do I get that flawless filter finish? —Kaye T.

"Well, first off, don’t judge yourself by other people’s selfies. In my time as a makeup artist, I’ve learned that no one 'woke up like this,' but if you want a smoother, more flawless complexion, the key is actually taking the time and steps to get your skin to look its best. The first and most important part of that is skin care. Cleanse, treat, and moisturize your skin every day (and take a moment to work those products into your skin…love yourself!). Next is primer: This smooths skin texture and holds your makeup on. Then apply foundations in light layers. Finally, set your face and add dimension with things like mineral finishing powder, blush, and bronzer. The reason my skin looks good is because there’s never less than 20 products on there helping me out."

6. How do I apply mascara so I don't get raccoon eyes? —Caitlin C.

"Even waterproof eye products can run and smear because what’s actually happening is those products are grabbing on to natural oils in your skin (or sometimes oils in concealers or eye creams). Here’s the solve: Use an eye primer (no, not the one for your face) all around your eye area and then use a mineral finishing powder to set your concealers and foundation. Make sure to get it close to your eyes in the areas it would normally smudge. If you’re naturally oily, you still may need to use powders to touch up mid-day, but you WILL see a difference in how your makeup wears."

7. How do I put on sunscreen and foundation without breaking out? —Candi L.

"This is deeply personal, but I do have one general rule: If you’re likely to break out then look for products with fewer ingredients. Sunscreens should be mineral-based (look for titanium and zinc on the label) and have few other ingredients. Same is true with your foundation — the less stuff in the bottle, the better chance you have of staying clear."

8. How do I stop the ravages of time from playing upon my face? —Catherine J.

"The most important is sunscreen. Use it liberally and often, and don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands too! Next is hydration: When your skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and smooth. Find the moisturizer that works best for you by picking them based on skin type (oily, combo, normal, or dry) and texture. Finally, there’s our friend vitamin A. It can be found in a variety of products under many names, often called Retinol. Vitamin A aides in the cell turnover process, making sure your skin look its healthiest at any age."

9. How is primer supposed to work, and how do I make my makeup last? —Jo S.

"Primer is the key to making complexion products last, and yet only 40% of makeup-wearers use it. There is a saying in the South: “You can’t paint a dirt road.” A good primer will act as a breathable barrier between your skin and your makeup, smoothing out pores and fine lines and holding everything in place. Use a pea-sized amount before applying foundation and gently massage it into the skin starting with the center of the face. For people on the go, there are even formulas where tint and SPF are included!"

10. Contouring. Just, how? By the time I blend it, you can't see that I did anything, so what's the point and how can I do it right? —Dana V.

"My advice is to start applying back by the hairline and then slowly and lightly bringing it toward the center. I use the center of my ear as a mark, lay the brush down there first, and then gently wiggle it forward until it fades into my natural skin tone. Also, avoid contour colors with shine or glitter — they reflect light and defeat the purpose."

11. How do I actually get my lipstick to stay on? —Janet K.

"The trick is layers and using a brush. First, apply lip liner, then use the brush to blend and melt it into the lips. Then, your lip color of choice in two light layers. Use that brush again to work it in. Then, because it's 2018 and gloss is back, finish with one to two layers of your favorite gloss. No one ever believes me, but there’s a reason all makeup artists use a lip brush… They work!"

12. Does lip liner really do anything? And how do I use it? —Tessa S.

"Sure it does! Lip liner is really having a moment right now because makeup-wearers feel empowered to decide for themselves where they want their lip line to be. Use a natural (the color of your lips) pencil to add volume to your lips and then blend with a brush to soften. Layer on your lip color and fool the world!"

Design by Lyla Ribot for BuzzFeed.

Get the most from your makeup with unique, skin-loving products from bareMinerals!