10 Essential Makeup Must-Haves

A No-Show Foundation

Are you warm? Cool? Olive? Give up? (We don't have a clue, either.) The best way to find your perfect match is to leave it to the professionals. Stop by any cosmetics counter and ask for help finding your shade. If you're fending for yourself, swipe a few colors vertically across your jawline, and whichever one is barely visible is your best bet.

A Super Concealer

Concealer is the only way to get rid of dark circles. And while it may just be a temporary fix, with the right technique you can hide them completely

A Natural Blush

The right shade will make you look like you're blushing, not like you're wearing blush. For a natural look, start with lighter shades, and skip any with shimmer.

A Great Eyelash Curler

Most eyelashes grow outward, not upward, so applying mascara without curling your lashes won't provide the same impact.

Clump-Free Mascara

Mascara thickens as it's exposed to air over time, which leads to clumps. If yours is goopy, toss it! Or try a different brand

A Glide-On Eyeliner

Eyes are sensitive, and probably don't take kindly to us slathering them with makeup -- especially on the sensitive rims and inner lash lines. Always use a soft pencil that glides on without any pressure or tugging, and be sure the product is labeled as ophthomalogist-tested.

An Allover Highlighter

A slightly shimmery cream highlighter has many uses -- from lifting your brows to slimming your nose to sculpting your cheeks. Choose a soft nude, peach, or pink for the most versatility.

The Perfect Nude Lipstick

Some look too brown, and others too pink. Is it futile to try and find that one nude shade that just makes a bare face pop? Not at the Bobbi Brown counter. The makeup artist known for the natural look also specializes in natural-looking lipstick (go figure). Trust us -- she has the perfect nude for everyone.

A Basic, Flattering Eyeshadow

Some eyeshadows barely show up; others make us look like we're headed to a Motley Crue concert. The perfect everyday shadow is just a few shades darker than your skin tone -- think a soft plum or light brown for darker skin, a taupey-gray or golden beige for medium skin, or light apricot for fair skin.

A Good Brush Set

With the right brush for the job, you can perform makeup miracles. (You don't see professional makeup artists using the tiny sponge applicators that come with the products!) Invest in a good brush set--Sephora makes great options in all price ranges. (By Marissa Gold ) http://www.lhj.com/style/beauty/makeup/10-essential-makeup-must-haves/?page=11