Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram and hundreds of thousands of beauty blogs on the internet, crazy-cool makeup tips aren't what we're lacking. You can spend hours making up your pretty face (and you've probably done this before), only to find something not quite right staring back at you in the mirror. Most of the time, this "off" look has little to do with your skills and everything to do with your color choice. We've asked our favorite beauty experts to help us solve this way-too-common makeup snafu by honing in on your unique hair color, eye color and face shape.
Trust us, this list is going to save you hours of unnecessary Googling:
What color are your eyes?
It's important to consider your eye color when deciding on shades of eye makeup. Matching your eye shadow to your eye color can look too monochromatic, so instead we've come up with some tips to help your natural eye color stand out. Use the tips below to decide what makeup hues work best with your eye color.
More: How to choose the right glitter eye makeup for your eye color
What color is your hair?
Factor in your hair color to determine what makeup hues work best on you. By making the proper color choices with your eye shadows, blushes, bronzers and other makeup, you can make subtle enhancements that make a big difference in your look. Use these makeup tips below as a guide for the shades and techniques that work best for women with red hair, blond hair and dark hair.
More: 7 ways to color your hair without traditional hair dye
What shape is your face?
Our faces are commonly categorized into six main shapes: oval, square, round, heart-shaped, oblong and diamond-shaped. Use the tips below as a guide to determine what makeup techniques work best for your face shape. You'll find advice on eye shadow and eyeliner, foundation, blush and more.
More: How to determine your face shape
- Makeup tips for oval faces
- Makeup tips for square faces
- Makeup tips for round faces
- Makeup tips for heart-shaped faces
- Makeup tips for oblong faces
- Makeup tips for diamond-shaped faces
Remember: Looking great is not about the amount of money you spend on your beauty products — rather, it's about applying the proper techniques and colors to enhance your best natural-born features. Use the makeup tips specific to your eye color and hair color, as well as your face shape to achieve the best look possible.
Originally published March 2011. Updated August 2016.