Make-up Bag Essentials

Now that winter is here, you're probably feeling like it's time to switch up your style a little. Good news: While you might have to rotate your closet to stay on trend, your makeup bag is basically all set. A lot of what you already have on hand (summer powder, your favorite gloss) can be used in new ways to create sexy, updated looks. The trick is to make your products work for you and follow make-up artists' tips.

Hotter Lips
- Turn old into new! Instead of buying all new lipsticks, layer your existing shades to create fun fall options. Combine brown and pink to make a sultry rose, red and purple for plum, and coral and red for fuchsia. - Make your red lipstick racier. Apply pressed powder in between coats to intensify your everyday red lipstick. "The powder pulls out the oil from the lipstick, so you're left with a deep, matte stain, which is exactly the kind of effect you want right now," says Vimi Joshi, M.A.C Senior Make-up Artist. Try: M.A.C Select Sheer/Pressed Powder. Outline your pucker with a brow pencil. To prevent your bold lip color from creeping past the corners, rim your mouth with a flesh-colored lip pencil, its waxy formula is great at preventing any smudging. Pat foundation over your lips. The nude, mod lip is the balance to this season's rich colors. You don't even need any lipstick to pull it off. Just dip a makeup sponge in foundation, press it to your lips, and let it dry for a few seconds. Finish it off with a clear lip gloss to add some shine, and you're good to go.
Rec: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Tulle or M.A.C Electroflash Cultureclash Lip Glass are great for this trick.

Fresh, Flawless Skin
Rub face primer on your body. The festive season is here, and so are the fabulous after-celebration parties. Dress your skin to the occasion! The pros smooth on regular makeup primer. "Primers contain light diffusers that even out and enhance your skin tone," explains Vimi. "So it's great to apply them anywhere you want to draw extra attention. She recommends M.A.C Prep + Prime Skin and Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting Make-up Primer.

Swirl cherry lip gloss on your cheeks. Dick Page, artistic director for Shiseido the Makeup, recommends using bright red gloss or balm on your apples to enhance your natural glow. "You can layer on more or less to get the exact level of rosiness that you want," he says. Try Shiseido Automatic Lip Crayon in LC7.

Trade bronzer for blush. To get the chiseled cheekbones from the catwalks, sweep bronzer (instead of powder blush) onto the hollows of the cheeks. "This creates shadows and depth so your cheekbones stand out more," says Mickey Contractor. Also, use a darker shade of powder that;s left over from summer. "Paint on your foundation. Models looked especially airbrushed on the fall runways. To get the look: Use a makeup brush to put on liquid foundation. "The bristles evenly distribute the product, so you get this soft veil of coverage," says Mickey. Mickey says he personally loves the M.A.C 187 Brush for that airbrushed and flawless look. When going over tricky areas (like under the eyes or around the nose), squeeze the tip to flatten the edge to smooth out lines. Every few days, remember to wash your brush with shampoo to remove foundation buildup.
Rec: M.A.C Matte Bronze Bronzing Powder

Instantly alluring eyes
Maximize your blush. Take a creamy rose blush, and apply it in a half moon shape under your brow bone and over the tops of your cheekbones. "You'll get a subtle sheen that draws attention to your eyes and makes your face glow," explains Cory Walia.
Rec: NARS The Multiple in Maui

"Tap lip gloss under your brows. Sounds crazy, but patting on a soft, shimmery pink gloss helps highlight and lift your eyes", says Cory. Use a nonsticky formula (so your lashes don't get stuck!), and blend in.
Rec: Stila Lip Glaze in Papaya

'Wear contrasting eyeshadow colors. It's a hot trend for fall, but just work with what you already have. Apply a bright, intense hue (like purple) on your upper lids, then drag a softer hue (pearly green) along your lower lash line", recommends Walia.
Recs: Tarte Eyeshadow in West Egg; Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Vert

Put bronzer on your lashes. Comb loose bronze powder through lashes instead of mascara. "You'll get a subtle sparkle that's so sexy for night since it catches the light," says Vimi. One swipe should do it - you don't want any excess flakes to fall under your eyes. Try M.A.C Pigment in Blue Brown.