Find the Right Makeup Colors: Interview

If you've ever wondered how to find the right makeup colors, you're not alone. Many women struggle with just which foundation, eye makeup, and lip and cheek colors will flatter and give them a polished look.

Find your most flattering makeup shades!

LoveToKnow turned to Cari Ann Busse, a thoughtful and vibrant woman who has a passion for helping women look and feel beautiful, for tips on finding flattering makeup colors.

Cari Ann Busse has been building a successful business as a Mary Kay beauty consultant for eight years. After being invited to a facial, where she was introduced to the Mary Kay business and products, she was intrigued with the company's philosophies and the idea of working with other women who had positive attitudes and desired to set goals and meet with success.

Early on in her teaching career, Cari Ann's interest in beauty was spurred from a desire to project a polished, professional image. When she discovered more about the Mary Kay program, she loved the idea of helping other women find beauty and skincare products that would help them bring out their own beauty and give them confidence.

When asked about her her favorite part of her thriving Mary Kay business, Cari Ann's response was: "As I'm working with women, I am showing them how beautiful they really are… and they sit just a little bit taller and feel just a little bit prettier when we're done. I think it [their natural beauty] is already there, but they see it… and that's exciting."

LoveToKnow (LTK): One of the most common ways to choose foundation is for women to look at the inside of the wrist and match the color. What would you say is the best way to choose foundation for your skin, and is this an accurate method?

Cari Ann Busse (CAB): I would say that the very best way to match your foundation is to try it before you buy it. It's really important that you know it's going to match your skin, but it's also affected by light, natural light versus artificial light. Sometimes in artificial light [your complexion] will look fine, but then you go outside and it looks really off.

A woman's skin changes with the seasons, so mine might be an ivory shade in fall, winter, and spring, but then late spring, summer and early fall it might be a darker shade. So many women need two foundations. One specific concern for African America skin is facial masking, in which certain areas of the face will be lighter or darker, so they need two foundation shades…it might sound odd, but the two colors help to make it a more even complexion.

Choose a natural-looking blush color.

LTK: Many women have a difficult time choosing not just foundation, but blush and lipstick colors. They might choose something they think looks like a good color, and they put it on and it's not right for them. What advice do you have for women in choosing their blush and lipstick?

CAB: I think that when you select a cheek color, you want it to look like you just ran around your house ten times and whatever color your cheeks have flushed to, that's about the right color. So, for example, at Mary Kay we have ten cheek colors, but for me, there are three that look nice. So it's not just for you to pick a color because it has a cool name, there's going to be a series of colors you might select… one that is more pink, one that is more earth-toned, tawny or neutral, and one that has a little bit more of a pop [of color].

With lipstick you want to make sure when you have the lipstick on and look in the mirror it doesn't stand out as being so very different. For example, there was a color that we were promoting that supported the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (which raises funds against domestic violence).

That particular color, which is called Apple Berry, was a bit dark on me. For me to put that on, and leave it on, it looked just too dark all the time. If it takes a full face and a totally different outfit to make it work, it's probably not the right color; it's probably not complementary to your skin tone. However, Pink Passion, one of this season's limited edition colors, is a great choice for me.

LTK: Let's talk about eye makeup. The eyes are one feature women love to play up and show off. Do you have any general tips on eye makeup?

CAB: I recommend that you prep your face first. Whenever I do my makeup, I've already applied my foundation and pressed powder. This works for two reasons, not only is there powder on your lashes, which makes your mascara adhere better, but also it leaves less moisture on your face. We also have an eye primer, and I do recommend that below the foundation. Then I select three shades, a highlight, a midtone, and a contour… this is standard op to make your eyes look really sharp.

LTK: Many women use the same standard makeup, either a black or brown eyeliner, the same shade of eye shadow for 'x' number of years. What advice do you have for women who are stuck in a routine of using the same basic products and colors? What suggestions do you have for women to break out of that rut?

Try new eye makeup colors.

CAB: I love that part… I recently provided someone with some different colors to try. I said, 'Mary Kay is try it before you buy, I know that it's way out there to put these colors together, but I just want to try them with you because I know you’re willing to play… and you're not committed, you're just trying them.' There was a pink, a green, and a purple on the eye… it turned out really well and looked really sharp. Definitely try something different. If you're in a rut, it's probably time to change; you might be pleasantly surprised with the results.

But -- it is true that once you find a set of colors that complements your skin and your eye color, you're going find that these are your go-to shades. For example, Vintage Gold, Lucky Penny, Moonstone…these are some of my go-to colors. But then I can also use Cinnabar, Sunlight, or Mocha – so there is a whole variety of shades from which to select. Maybe you get into using the same three, but then you change up just the contour color, or just the highlighter, or just the midtone; you're going to find a different effect.

I also really do encourage people to try different liners. Right now – if you're not into trendy that's fine – but it's trendy to put one color of eyeliner on the top, and one color on the bottom… not necessarily good for your conservative professional, but it looks really nice on, it's a little bit bohemian, a little different, and it draws attention to the face.

LoveToKnow also discussed other makeup color concerns, such as common makeup color mistakes, how often to change your makeup colors, and which colors will last you through all seasons. Cari Ann offers the following tips:

• Make sure eyeliners complement eyeshadow, and lip liners complement lipstick.
• Be careful with black liner because it can look harsh - try new colors instead of black.
• A good cheek color and midtone eyeshadow shade will last you through all seasons – change up your lip color and highlight and contour shades for a new look.
• Don't draw a solid line around the entire eye with liner. Use short wispy strokes, avoiding the inner corner of the eye.
• Don't be afraid to use eyebrow pencil, it can complete your look.
• Remember good skincare is the basis for good glamour, and always use sunblock to prevent UV damage.

For more information about Cari Ann Busse, Mary Kay products, or to learn more about how you can become a Mary Kay beauty consultant, please visit her website at http://www.marykay.com/cabusse.

• Fall Makeup Ideas
• Animal Face Painting
• Bad Makeup Pictures
• What Is Your Makeup Style
• Sexy Eye Makeup Quiz

• Eye Makeup Pictures
• How to Apply Eye Makeup
• Eye Makeup Ideas
• Free Makeup Samples
• Eye Makeup Tips

• Makeup Color Optimization
• Lanc%C3%B4me Lip Gloss: Interview with Mollie Winerock
• Beauty and Makeup Tips Interview
• Image Consultant
• Makeovers