Start by cleansing and toning. Using a toner or astringent is very important, as this will close the pores and minimize oil secretion. During the summers this step is a must.

                       If you have to use makeup, use a oil-free tinted moisturiser with SPF. For the ones with sensitive skin use Lacto Calamine all over face and neck.

                      Also the ones with uneven skin tone, use as little foundation as possible. Use a damp sponge to blend it in. Also better use a liquid foundation.

                      Translucent powder is very important in the summer. Apply with a big fluffy brush.

                     Match eyeshadow colors with your skin tone. Apply eyeshadow on your lids only to compliment your look. Also use a highlighter on your brow-bones. Sand, champagne, soft pink, beige, pale peach and nude colors work best for summer.

                     Apply a thin line of liner, preferably brown, on the upper lashline only. Line below lashes with a brownish eyeshadow. Use waterproof liner and eye products.

                    Transparent or brown mascara on your lashes to make them look longer and thicker. Use waterproof mascara.

                   Blushers should be nearly nude. Soft pink or natural brown are best but powder blushers work best.

                   Outline lips with a nude lip liner and fill in with it. Light subtle shades look flattering in the summers. Now fill in with a lippie using a brush. Blot with a tissue paper and reapply another coat of lippie. Nude shades looks best during summers. A dash of gloss on the center of the lips to plump them up.

                   A few common makeup tips which are often forgotten or ignored but makes a big difference if kept in mind.

* When lining your lips, fill up the whole lips with the lip pencil. It will work as a good base. If you just outline and don't fill in the color then after a couple of hours only the outline will stay.

* To make lipstick stay up for longer durations, apply the lipstick and then blot it with a tissue or dust a little loose powder over lips. Reapply your lipstick.

* When wearing dark eyes or smoky eyes apply pale nude shades of lipstick. Similarly wear deep lipstick with pale nude eyes.

* Eyebrows should be well groomed, never neglect or ignore them. If they are sparse fill in with a brow powder and give shape with a brush.

* Using an eyelash curler opens up the eyes. It makes the lashes look longer and eyes look bigger.

* Dust loose powder on your eyelashes before applying mascara to make them look thicker.

* For everyday makeup use neutral colors for the eyes. Pale shades like vanilla, sand and almond and mid shades like taupe, terracotta and peach look very flattering and soft.

* Best and most traditional way to apply blusher, even for novices, is to smile and place the blusher on the apple of the cheeks. Apply with a circular motion and then blend upward and outward. For a cream blusher use fingertips if you are not used to working with a brush.

* Always use a little foundation on your eyelids if you are not using wearing an eyeshadow. It will even out the skin and give your eyes a clean and fresh look. Set with a little loose powder using a big fluffy brush.