Concealer

If you've ever seen the photograph of Gwyneth Paltrow as James Dean, transformed entirely with makeup done by Kevyn Aucoin, you know how powerful cosmetics can be. There are so many cosmetics and skin care products available that you truly have the potential to enhance or change your appearance in hundreds of ways. You can alter your appearance almost completely, make subtle changes, or simply take the best possible care of your face so that your natural beauty is able to shine.

While there are scads of products available, there really aren't that many different types of cosmetics. When it comes to skin care, you've got a whole lot of variations on moisturizers, mattifiers, firming creams, and blemish treatments. Anti wrinkle creams are usually some combination of a moisturizer (which plumps up skin to diminish the appearance of wrinkles) and a chemical that exfoliates, getting rid of the dead skin cells that sink into wrinkles, making them more pronounced.

You can also find anti aging creams with skin lighteners that will reduce redness from blemishes and can even diminish the appearance of age spots from the sun over time, giving you a clearer and more even skin tone. You should also think about cleansing products carefully. The right ones for you can help clear up your skin, minimize the appearance of pores, exfoliate, and help you balance your oil and moisture levels.

Once you've prepped your skin with proper care and cleaning, you can really have fun with cosmetics. A simple foundation with an SPF of at least 10 or 15 can even out your skin tone, a yellow concealer can make quick work of under-eye circles, and you might choose just mascara, lip gloss, and a little blush to create a fresh face for work. For an evening out, you can add eyeliner, eye shadow, and lipstick, and choose among fun cosmetics like glitter creams or shimmering powders. If you have sensitive skin, though, consider fragrance-free and non-comedogenic cosmetics to keep your complexion healthy and soothed.