To create that perfect finish to one's make up, you need to start with clean canvas. You see, make up application is like creating a master piece. It all begins with having good skin and then adding in the necessary building blocks, like foundation, to give that smooth, flawless, perfect look to a beautiful face.

Many of my clients ask me - "how do you create a flawless finish on my face

Many women skip this step altogether or simply use the wrong shade or type of foundation. But what we're all forgetting here; to get that clean, fresh start...we need to start with a great canvas to support our master piece.

Ok...I think you are getting the picture.

Here are some of my best tips for enhancing your own beauty personality style in creating your best face forward. And it's not as hard as you think.

One of the biggest questions I get from my clients is this: Do I Really Need Foundation???

And ...let's say you have beautiful skin. Then...all you need is first to apply a good moisturizer preferably one that has been rated as an SPF 15 or equivalent. Followed by, a little concealer and blush. Now...if you are uneven in your tone of skin, you have some redness or you are pale, have large pores, or acne, etc., then you need to cover your skin with foundation (perhaps mixed with some the moisturizer with the foundation to a make a tinted moisturizer really) to create that beautiful finish.

The major complaint I hear....that is so hard in choosing the right shade of foundation.

Well, let's take some of that mystery away. Here is what you need to know:

1. What is your skin's color tone - Are you warm or cool tone? To decide this look at the insides of your arms...and see if you are more yellow in color or more red in coloring. More yellow in tone means you are probably warm tone, and more red or blue red means you are cool tone. Just remember as we age, we do become more sallow.
2. What color of red do you gravitate towards, an orange red or a blue red? Most warm tone women will gravitate towards the orange red and cool tone women will gravitate towards the blue red...pretty much so automatically.
3. What does you skin looks like...is it pale, medium or darker shades. This will help in deciding the nuances of the foundation shades.

If you have had difficulty in choosing a foundation, just know that it is hard to do an exact match. The goal is to blend with your own coloring.

What one would do next is choose three colors and see which one basically disappears into the jar line area, in particular, you want to make sure the chosen color is appropriate for you neckline as well. What you don't want is a demarcation between you neck and you face. The next step is to see how it looks on your skin.

Most women don't think about this, but a wonderful aspect about wearing foundation, is its ability to fight the elements like sun, wind and cold, harsh winter air. Even a foundation, even without the SPF still provides a good barrier, especially against sun damage. My preference is choosing a foundation is one that has at least an SPF rating or equivalent of 15. This way you will protect your skin.

To Blush or Not........That is the question:

Please know that by only applying foundation or base, you will have a very flat look in my opinion. It is kind of a dead look. To put your best face on, you really want to create dimensional type of face--- one that gives warmth, and shows your skin and bone structure. In order to give your face that depth....one of the things you need to do is add some blush to highlight the "structures" of your face.

A real common question - can I sleep in this make up? . No....If you are going to sleep for the night, it is best to wash your face. Yes...Mom was correct.

Many of us are guilty of sleeping with our makeup on. It really isn't good for your skin. It's best to have an easy, simply routine. You need good nighttime cleansing and skin protection are essential. And the same for your morning routine.

I know when I sleep in my makeup....my skin doesn't feel its best. And even worse is when I forget to take off my eyeliner and mascara. Upon waking, I just don't feel as relaxed as the times, I do take off all my make up and do my skin care routine.

Remember, whatever you do, treat you skin with TLC (tender loving care), because it is never too late improve the canvas you were born with.

Barb's Basic Foundation Tips

1. Tips in Selecting Foundation
a. Select a foundation that matches your underlying skin tone exactly.
b. Experiment with three shades on your face that you think will work…and see which one disappears.

2. Application Tips
a. Apply Foundation with a brush, a slightly damp sponge or on the tips of your fingers. If you want our foundation to last, don't use fingers.
b. Start at the top of the face and work in a downward motion.
c. Blend well along the hairline

3. More Tips
a. Foundation application can be heavy or light; Fast application - mix foundation with day time moisturizer
b. More dewy look - use alittle of the night time moisturizer mixed in your foundation as well