This season it's all about minimalist makeup and natural beauty. Don't spend hours applying unnecessary layers, just highlight your own gorgeous features and let your inner beauty shine through with the right makeup!

Start your make-up ritual with a perfect canvas. The most essential principle of makeup application is to select the right shade of foundation or base for your face - this helps with establishing a pleasing and natural skin tone. Finding the colours that suit you best can be an easy process. I believe that a stylish person is one who has "an eye" to spot what truly enhances their natural beauty, and having the ability to look way ahead - beyond the latest beauty fad, not stumbling over a superficial 'look' or 'trend' to me that person is empowered with true self confidence.

Before You Apply Makeup
I find that when applying makeup to clean skin, it works wonders! Be sure that your skin is clean and hydrated. Make sure that you have removed any old traces of makeup that you've previously worn as this can encourage break outs and won't give you that perfect finish make up application. Ensure that your hands and makeup applicators are also clean!

It is also a good idea to cleanse, tone and moisturise as it will improve your skin quality and act as a protective layer to help trap the moisture in the skin and stop it from evaporation. It will also help your foundation to glide on more smoothly and consistently. Once you've cleansed, toned and moisturised let it soak in at least 3 minutes before applying your foundation.

Applying your foundation
When I speak to my clients about choosing the right foundation for their skin I ask them to select the correct foundation that covers with one thin coating, which also does the job of hiding discolourations such as redness and blemishes as well as establishing proper and correct skin tone. Be sure to choose a foundation colour that is close to your skin tone - as you do not want to have an uneven face colour to your neck. The foundation should be sheer - as this can even out your skin tone.

I find that the best way to apply foundation is by using my fingertips - blotting the foundation on the back of your hand allows the foundation to warm up which enables it to glide on smoother. Dot small amounts of the foundation on your cheeks, nose, forehead and neck and blend in an upward motion. I never forget to blend the foundation down to the jaw line and neck area as it will look uneven if forgotten.

Applying your concealer
Applying your concealer is the next step. Many ladies make the mistake of applying the concealer first. I find that when the base foundation has been applied, applying the concealer is one of the smooth skin essentials. If you've chosen a foundation that has great coverage, your concealer's purpose is to cover the dark circles under the eyes as well as any redness caused by broken capillaries, small pimples or dark spots.

Apply the concealer to problem areas such as under your eyes - beneath or above your eyes, as well as hiding pimples or spots. I find that using my ring finger to apply the concealer under the eye moving from left to right is much better than using a sponge as the eye skin is a very thin and delicate area. To hide problem areas, such as pimples or spots, I love using thick concealer that matches the skin tone. Applying it with a small make up brush directly on the area and blending it slightly until it disappears does the job.

Applying Powder
The trick to having a perfect, long lasting finish is to use powder. Whether it is pressed or translucent. It is a must that I apply powder always after the foundation and concealer as it sets everything into place.
There are different ways in which you can apply powder - by using a powder brush or cosmetic puff. If you have oily or combination skin I find that using the cosmetic puff is appropriate.

If you choose to use a brush, dab the brush into the powder, then shake off the excess powder. Do not over do the powder as you don't want to look like a ghost or unnatural!

Using Blush
Create a healthy glow by using a blush that gives a warm flush to your cheeks. If you are using a creamy foundation, creamy blusher works best. If your base is applied properly only a small amount is needed.

By using a blusher brush, I dip the brush quickly and flick my wrist to stroke the cheeks lightly, with a soft circular motion from the centre of the cheekbones out.
When blush is applied properly, it can shape the face, making a round face appear longer or a long face seem rounded.

Applying Mascara
Before applying mascara be sure that the wand isn't overloaded with mascara otherwise your lashes will show clumps. Before applying mascara, curl your lashes with an eye lash curler - eye lash curlers work wonders as they widen the eyes.

Look down into a mirror and stroke lashes upwards with just the tip of the brush. Always brush the lashes from above and then upwards from below to get the both sides of the lashes. First apply a thin coat, lit it dry and then build up with a second coat of mascara.

Intensify your eyes with Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow is a must to brighten your eyes. I either apply eyeshadow with a brush or my index finger. Fill the entire eye area with a light colour - the more you apply the easier it will be to add the dark colour. If you have small eyes, to widen them, apply a light coloured eye shadow within the corners of your eyes - either a subtle gold or white.

You can choose a variety of colours and textures such as powder shadows, stick shadows or creamy shadows. I find that using powder eye shadows last much longer - especially when I use a brush. You may find that creamy eye shadows tend to melt into the crease lines of the eyelids. A tip that also helps your eyeshadow to last longer is to apply foundation or concealer to the lid before you apply your eyeshadow.

Applying Your Lipstick
Choosing the correct colour lipstick shade is the final stage of your makeup application. Choosing the right colour will totally transform how you look. You don't want to have a gorgeous base applied and have it ruined by having a dark coloured lipstick. I always leave this step last as it finishes the look.

I get my clients to open their lips like their about to take a bite of food, I then draw a thin line along the edges of the lip line with a pencil that is a shade darker then the lipstick chosen. I then use a thin little brush to apply the lipstick making sure I blend the liner together with the lipstick. Always harmonise your lip colour to the rest of your makeup. For longer lasting luscious lips, dust a touch of powder to the lips. The creamier lipsticks glide on smoother and are also great for moisturizing your lips.