1. The right shade of foundation

Some people tell you that the way to choose the shade of your foundation is to compare it to the back of your hand or the inside of your arm. Why? It's going on your face, not your arm! You want to find a foundation that will exactly blend into your skin. So whenever you buy a new foundation, try out the color on your jawline or along your neck. Then look at the colors in both a natural light and the artificial light in the store. Some stores will let you return opened makeup if it's the wrong color or you don't like it, so take advantage of this!

If you're having a hard time finding the right foundation shade, try going to a department store and having a pro find it for you. Or you can try out L'Oreal's True Match line of foundation, powder, and blush, if you don't want to drop a ton of money on department store brands. True Match has different colors and shades with different undertones, so that you can perfectly match your foundation and your skin whether you have warm, cool, or neutral tones to it.

2. The right mascara

Mascara can transform your look single-handedly. It's important that you find a mascara that works for you and lengthens and thickens your lashes without clumping them. Here are some of the most popular mascaras.

1. Lancome Definicils This mascara has been voted the best overall mascara for several years by top beauty specialists. Lancome Definicils will lengthen your lashes and it won't clump up! You can get Lancome Definicils at a department store; it will cost you around 20 bucks.

2. Prescriptive Lash Envy
This mascara is specially designed to volumize your lashes. So if you want thick and full lashes, this is the one for you! This mascara has a special, patented Volumatrix Polymer that will coat your lashes and will keep them full all day long.

3. Bobbi Brown Everything
This mascara was developed by Bobbi Brown, makeup specialist for the stars. Tons of movie stars swear by this mascara, which you can get at any department store. It will lengthen, thicken, and darken your lashes.

4. Maybelline Great Lash
This waterproof mascara is the best selling waterproof mascara of all time. It's cheap and you can get it anywhere. But does this mean that it's bad? On the contrary, top stylists, makeup specialists, movie stars, models, and the girl next door all benefit from its great eye effects!

5. Revlon Luxurious Lengths
Several beauty magazines have named this mascara to be the best one out there. And it only costs around $6.99! This mascara has two sides: the flat side applies a gel-based color to your lashes. A curved side of the brush will lift up and will separate your lashes.

6. Maybelline XXL Volume + Length
This is another double sided mascara that will both thicken and lengthen your mascara. If you want really smoky, fantastic lashes, then this is the mascara that you will want to try out.

3. A great lip gloss

Great looking lips don't have to come with careful and continuous lipstick re-application. Here are some fantastic lip gloss products.

There are some fantastic products out there that will make your lips shimmery, glossy, and will also plump them up! When you apply these, you can actually feel the plumping action. Choose from an array of colors, and apply several times throughout the day.

The best lip plumpers:

Lip Venom by Du Wop
Laura Mercier Lip Plumpers

You can wear lip plumpers either all by themselves, or you can put them over lipstick for to add a great shine to your favorite lip color.