Let’s face it: Most of us prefer applying makeup to taking it off. So that may explain why many women aren’t removing their makeup correctly, which can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. To get the right technique -- and score a glowing complexion -- consider the following expert guide:

DON’T go overboard. When it comes to your skin, more isn’t always better. Beware of products that can dry out your skin, like harsh facial scrubs -- especially if you have a sensitive complexion. Dana Elise, a Beverly Hills aesthetician with a bevy of celebrity clients, advises against using baby wipes, which aren’t gentle enough for delicate faces. Instead, stick with makeup remover and tissues.

DO make it a habit. If your made-up face hits the pillow more than you’d like to admit, set up a makeup removal station at your nightstand. It should include makeup removal pads or towels, although Elise recommends using them sparingly to avoid drying out your skin. Another smart staple: witch hazel, which acts as a refreshing astringent for oily to dry skin, and tissues to apply it.

DO go in order. First things first: Remove makeup from lips and eyes. Your eye makeup remover can do double duty on your lips, although petroleum jelly or olive oil and a tissue also work. Next, use a gentle cleanser to rinse off foundation and dirt. Finish with a moisturizing serum.

DON’T choose any cleanser. Just like you pick your lip color based on your skin tone, you should match your makeup remover to your skin type. Take a cue from Elise: Opt for an oil- and alcohol-free product if you have oily or combination skin. Have a normal, sensitive or dry complexion? Pick a milk-based wash to keep your face baby soft.

DON’T wash with hot water. Experts say that it can remove protective oils, which can dry out your skin. Instead, use cool or warm water to rinse your face.

DO use a headband. Elise recommends leaving this face-washing staple on overnight: It keeps hair off of your forehead, which can minimize breakouts.

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

Wedding season has arrived. Whether you have an invitation to a glitzy black-tie event or beachfront affair, you want to look your best. (After all, chances are those candid group shots will wind up on Facebook!) With my beauty advice, you’ll have gorgeous, no-smudge makeup all evening long. Just because you don’t want to outshine the bride doesn’t mean that you can’t look fabulous.

1. Fake it.
Weddings are celebrations, so what better time to ramp up your look with lush false lashes? They’re affordable -- I use the $2 kind from the drugstore. If you feel like the look is too bold, cut the strip in half with small scissors and apply them on the outer corners of the eye. Or apply a few individual lashes. Grasp them in tweezers, dip them in glue and stick them on the lash line. If you’re a newbie, I recommend using the white glue, which dries clear. And have some tissues on hand to wipe away the excess.

Still can’t manage it? If you buy the lashes at a makeup store, such as Sephora or Mac, a makeup artist will usually apply them for you free of charge.

2. Get a little glimmer.
The secret to celebrities’ glow: iridescent lotion. To create the look, mix your foundation with a little shimmery lotion. Then dust your entire face with a translucent powder, which will set your makeup without covering up that gorgeous sheen.

3. Go for the gold (or silver).
Nothing makes a glamorous statement like silver or gold eye shadow. When I work with celebs for red-carpet events, I wet my eye shadow brush before dipping it into the shadow. And instead of swiping it across the lid, I pat the brush into the skin. This helps set the shadow into the skin so it won’t budge. It also creates a wet, shiny look that’s perfect for evening events.

If you want a subtle look, apply light-colored shadow with a little sparkle in it to the inner corners of the eyes. This opens up your eyes and makes them look bigger.

4. Be a bronzed beauty.
You can go from pasty to perfect with one application of bronzer gel. Adding a fake tan will also create the illusion of looking leaner. One of the most common beauty blunders is not blending your makeup into the neck, which creates an unsightly line. Make sure that you blend your face makeup into the bronzer so you’re the same color all over.

5. Don’t forget to touch up.
To stay fabulous, freshen up your make-up a few times throughout the night. I recommend packing travel-size versions of the following items:

• A pack of tissues. Use them to wipe away smears and blot your lipstick.
• Powder. Use one that’s a shade lighter than your skin and blot it on sparingly. This will keep your complexion from looking muddy.
• Cream stick blush. This formulation has staying power, and the small tube is easier to tote than a powder compact.
• Teasing comb. To keep your hair from falling flat, take a handful of hair at your crown and back-comb it. Flip your head upside down and spray it with hairspray -- you’ll score instant oomph!

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At last, spring is here! There’s something about the season that makes you feel daring and ready to come to life, just like the budding flowers. And your makeup should reflect that: This season, pops of bright color -- like rosebud red lips or an aqua-lined eye -- are in. 

Nervous that your makeup will look more clownish than starlet? Don’t be! With the following tips, you’ll look fresh and new for the spring.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Exfoliate. A smooth complexion is essential for evenly distributed color. Once or twice a week, use a gentle exfoliant to scrub away rough patches and dead skin. After drying off, wipe down your skin with a soft facial tissue to remove all traces of the exfoliating particles.

Powder up. Your skin becomes oily in warmer weather. To avoid smudges and smears, opt for powder instead of liquid foundation. The powder will absorb some of your skin’s natural oils throughout the day.

Put on primer. This silicone-based product helps smooth your skin, providing a perfect canvas for eyeliner and eye shadow. Apply a coat of primer to your eyelids before you put on makeup.

Step 2: Apply Bright Shades

Single out one feature. A rainbow-like assortment of colors is fine for sherbet, but not for your face. Instead, think one bright swipe. If you want to play up your eyes with an aquamarine eye shadow, use a neutral palette for your cheeks and lips. Coral-colored lips mean less color on the eyes. If you decide to highlight your lips, blot your lips on a facial tissue to set your lipstick and keep it from feathering.

Blend, blend, blend. Blending bright cheek and eye colors is key: It prevents a jarring look. Use a brush to blend that blush or shadow into the skin. Or if you’re in a pinch, wrap your pointer finger in a facial tissue and gently blend in the product.

Take a smaller step. Still not ready to embrace those vivid colors? You can achieve that playful look in a subtle manner: Try out a colored mascara, such as a blue or purple shade. (Just place a facial tissue beneath the eye during application to catch any falling pigment.) Or paint your nails a sunny orange or pink for an office-appropriate flash.

Photo by Boris Krizmanic on Unsplash

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Ah, spring. It’s a season filled with balmy weather, budding trees and -- for allergy sufferers -- a disheveled appearance. All too often, you’ll dress up for an outdoor concert or picnic only to return home with a red nose, under-eye circles and a pocket full of tissues.

If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who battles seasonal allergies, there’s no need to become a springtime recluse. The following tips will help you ease those symptoms, so you can look fantastic all season long.

1. Cover up.
Allergies can cause dark circles to form beneath your eyes. To look awake and fresh, use a concealer that matches your skin type. Dab it on with your finger and use a facial tissue to remove any excess product. Keep an extra concealer in your purse so you can apply touch-ups on the run.

2. Look like Jackie O.
Before you head out of the house, put on a pair of wraparound shades. Not only do they cover up the dark circles, but they’ll also block pollen from entering your eyes.

3. Minimize your makeup.
During allergy season, some tears are inevitable. Make sure you use waterproof makeup, or go for a minimal look: Stick with tinted moisturizer or BB cream, concealer, blush and lipstick -- and skip the heavy eye makeup, which can run. Also keep a pack of tissues in your purse to wipe away smears and tears.

4. Pick soft tissues.
Constantly wiping and blowing your nose irritates the skin, creating a red Rudolf-like effect. Look for a soft facial tissue with lotion that’s gentle on your nose. And dab lotion on your nose throughout the day.

5. Drink up.
Being dehydrated causes blood vessels to get bigger, which can lead to an even puffier face. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and carry a reusable water bottle with you to make sure that you’re getting enough fluids.

Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash

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Life doesn't stop when you're feeling under the weather. That's especially true for television: Even if an anchor or reporter is battling a cold or allergy symptoms, the show must go on. As a makeup artist for “Good Morning America,” it's my job to cover up those telltale red noses and blotchy spots.

So the next time you're sick or suffering from allergies and have to face the world, try using a few of my tried-and-true tricks that’ll make you look fabulous!

1. Brighten sallow skin.
For a fresh complexion, wash your face with an exfoliating scrub to slough off dead, tired-looking skin cells. Don't have any scrub on hand? Try making your own by mixing coffee grounds and full-fat milk. The caffeine (which has popped up in plenty of skin care products) acts as an anti-inflammatory, tightening your pores and shrinking visible blood vessels.

2. Disguise a red nose.
Continuously blowing your nose can leave your skin dry and chapped. Be gentle on your nose by using only soft tissues, like those with lotion, and applying moisturizer regularly. Skip the petroleum jelly on your nose, though, since it can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

To mask the redness, apply a layer of foundation. A cream-based kind will give you an even skin tone, without that caked-on appearance. Using your finger or a makeup sponge, dab some concealer to cover up any remaining ruddiness on your nose.

3. Clear up tired eyes.
When the anchors come in at the crack of dawn, I often reach for eye-whitening drops, which mask tired, bloodshot eyes. One warning: Since the drops I prefer to use are tinted blue, I always make sure to have a tissue on hand to wipe up the excess moisture after use.

For dark under-eye circles, use a concealer with orange undertones. Steer clear of violet or purple eye shadow when you're sick or exhausted; the shade will draw attention to those purplish under-eye circles, making you look even more tired.

4. Moisturize chapped lips.
Slough off dead skin with an exfoliating scrub formulated for lips, or make your own by mixing sugar with a dab of olive oil. Rub the concoction on your lips, wipe it off and dab on some lip gloss or balm for a healthy-looking smile.

5. Clear your voice.
If you're meeting with clients or presenting to a group, the last thing you want is to sound congested. So try an over-the-counter decongestant, which helps temporarily clear up the gunk in your nose. Also sip some hot tea with lemon and honey, which can help soothe your throat and ease that husky voice.

6. Brighten up.
For a finishing touch, brush a little pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. Being sick can drain your face of color -- the blush will add a natural rosy glow. So even if you feel like crawling into bed, you'll still look energized.

Photo by Dmitry Vechorko on Unsplash

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