What's your favourite makeup tip, and where did you learn it?

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Question: What's your favourite makeup tip or trick, and if you remember, where did you learn it?

“When I want a more intense colour or blended eyeliner effect, I use a damp Q-tip to apply eyeshadow. (So the Q-tip isn't too wet, I dab it on tissue first to remove excess water.) It's a great way to increase the versatility of your makeup collection -- you can get a wider variety of looks from using the same products. Funny enough, I learned this trick from a friend who usually looks to me for makeup advice.”
-- Corinna vanGerwen

“Got oily but fairly evenly toned skin? Use concealer on undereye circles, inner corners of eyes and around the base of the nose. Then pat over the concealer and the rest of the skin with M.A.C Blot Powder. This powder in particular is light and sheer with very little colour, yet it absorbs excess oil, diffuses the light and makes skin look flawless without looking like you're wearing a stitch of makeup.

"Without fail, this application tricks folks into thinking I have beautiful skin. Silly me, though -- when I get complimented on my complexion, I can't help but confess that I'm wearing makeup. Doh!

"I don't know where I got this -- I think it just evolved over the years.”
-- Janine Falcon, senior editor, Beauty, Canadian Living

“I'm not sure if this is really a trick more than it is advice, but my 85-year-old grandmother used to tell me that the only thing you needed in your beauty regime to look radiant was a quick swipe of Chanel red lipstick. It was dramatic and definitely eye-catching. I still heed it today!”
-- Lara Ceroni

“Mine is foundation because beautiful-looking skin requires very few enhancers. I have acne-prone skin so I have tried several non-comedogenic brands to create as flawless a look as possible, but the shade options are always off and the consistency too thin. Revlon Colorstay has been the best thus far. It's an oil-free and long-lasting skin enhancer.

“I always apply using a sponge applicator to prevent streaking and minimize the amount of foundation required. This foundation is cheapest at Wal-Mart for around $10 and most expensive at Shoppers Drug Mart for $19.”
-- Desirée Brown

“My best secret is by far my liquid eyeliner...I never leave home without it!

"You don't even need the expensive ones –- the NYC brand found at Shoppers Drug Mart for $2.69 will do the job just fine! The secret is to get an eyeliner that has an applicator just like a paint brush. Some people have a hard time putting it on and getting a straight line. I suggest they put a pencil eyeliner on their eyelids first and then follow the trace with the liquid eyeliner. The trick is to follow your eye shape all the way to the end and then extend it past the corner of the eye for a sexy look. Once the mascara is applied that extension becomes part of your eyelashes, giving you the illusion of longer eye lashes and making your eyes look bigger if you have small eyes like myself. The liquid eyeliner stays on all day long...you never have to worry about reapplying or fixing, even during the harsh winter months with all the snow and even rain.”
-- Mitzy Flores

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