Bust Out of Your Beauty Rut

Get a More Professional Look

"My minimalist makeup look needs to be more working-girl."
-- Chigozie Amara Ozor, 26

Pretty Plan: Chigozie went to her hometown Sephora, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to chat with lead makeup artist Sarah Walton.

Lesson 1: Embrace Base
Consumed with grad school and sports, Chigozie reserved foundation for special occasions. "I'm too busy to reapply after sweating it off," she explains. Walton started with Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light ($36, sephora.com), which "grips foundation like Velcro," then used a brush to apply Make Up Forever High Definition Foundation in #177 ($40, sephora.com), evening out Chigozie's skin. "Fingers can deposit oils, causing base to slide off," says Walton.

Lesson 2: Walk the (Straight) Line
"I don't wear eyeliner often," says Chigozie. Using budge-proof Sephora Keep Kohl! Waterproof Liner in Black ($8, sephora.com), Walton made small hash marks close to Chigozie's upper lashes, then smudged the line smooth. A thin layer of cream shadow, such as Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Alloy ($22, sephora.com), brightened her eye area.

Lesson 3: Get Your Shine On
Chigozie has always gravitated toward matte blush and lip colors. However, "a little shimmer will highlight her beautiful bone structure and lips," Walton says. On cheeks, she applied Korres Blush in Peach ($22, sephora.com), which gives a soft glow without looking greasy. Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Verse ($28, sephora.com) lets lips sparkle, plus it moisturizes like a balm.