How to apply make-up

For me, the art of applying makeup is a ritual closely linked with getting ready for performances and social events. It is a meditative activity through which I can relax and deter pre-show stress and anxiety. During the last four years here at Princeton, I've also come to be known by my friends as the resident makeup guru. My dorm room resembles one big beauty parlor, complete with good, soft lighting and a myriad of mirrors. Whether I'm primping fellow dancers before a show or employing my makeup skills on friends before going out, I always have a waiting list, believe it or not.

I enjoy applying makeup because through it, I've learned to appreciate idiosyncrasy —everyone is different, and that is precisely the essence of beauty. Appreciating individuality is one of the great things about makeup. As in performing, the art of makeup is to highlight confidence and perhaps learn something about yourself you may have never discovered otherwise. Both art forms also embrace the willingness and desire to take a chance and explore a wide range of unique looks.

So, enough talk, let's get down to technique. To create a golden, sun-kissed look, follow the tips below. Recommended products are also listed below each section. I particularly endorse BECCA facial products – great pigment for darker skin tones with 30+ SPF – and MAC/NARS eyeshadow. Just remember, the key to excellence is practice.

Prepping the face

After washing, blot your entire face with a deep-cleansing astringent (for oily skin, use one that has salicylic acid). To cover up red marks, use a color-corrector cover-up in green. Next, apply primer to even out skin texture, thereby creating a smooth surface to work with. —Deep-cleansing astringent: Aveeno or Clean and Clear —MAC Select Cover-Up Color Corrector in green —BECCA Matifying Primer —BECCA Line and Pore Corrector

For a sun-kissed bronze facial glow

Use a foundation stick to cover your T-zone and under-eye regions. Next, mix a small amount of bronzing gel with your normal liquid foundation and apply to your entire face. To accentuate bone structure, dabble a small amount of darker foundation onto your cheekbones, the sides of your nose, your jaw line and the outer sides of your forehead. To set foundation, lightly press loose powder onto your face. Next, apply a golden powder bronzer onto your cheeks to give yourself a sun-kissed glow. —BECCA Stick Foundation: 30 + SPF —Laura Mercier Liquid Foundation —Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel —BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector: bronze (dark) gold (light) —NARS Bronzer —BECCA Bronzer

For smoky eyes (use makeup brushes instead of wands)

Cover your entire eyelid from lash line to just below brow level with a pearly iridescent shadow using a small full brush. Be sure to color the innermost part of the eye — this is an old stage trick to make your eyes stand out more. Then, using a firmer brush, cover the crease with a black eyeshadow, beginning from the corner of the eyelid and working inwards. Using a black shadow as eyeliner, line your entire eye, top and bottom, making sure to extend the lower line, thus creating a cat-eye effect. Next, rim the inside, top and bottom, of your lash line with black shadow. Finally, using a fuller brush, smudge the liner shadow until it blends in nicely with the crease shadow. For eyelashes, prep lashes by curling them. Sweep a fiber-extension mascara onto your lashes before applying black mascara. If you are using false lashes, apply them after the eyeshadow is set. After the lashes are attached, line your eyes with liquid liner and smudge the shadow on the top to create a soft look. To finish, sweep mascara onto your lashes to combine real with fake. —MAC eyeshadows in: Nylon, Carbon, Mulch, Contrast —Bourjois' Coup de Theatre: Use ACT 1 (the fiber lash extension wand) —YSL mascara in black —Duo Surgical Adhesive for fake eye lashes —MAC eyelashes

For a golden pout

Line your lips by exaggerating the top philtrum (the groove in the upper lip) and the middle section of the lower lip. After applying lipstick, finish by adding a layer of gloss. —MAC lip-liners in: Hodgepodge (neutral/everyday), Cork (dark) —MAC lipsticks in: Bronze-Shimmer, Fresh-Buzz (Pink), Myth (Neutral), Vegas Bolt (when combined with Myth, gives a pink matted effect) —MAC lipglass in: Oh Baby