Sure when it comes to talking about applying makeup, there's lots of advice out there for what kind of makeup to apply, what combinations of colors go together, whether to use creams or powders, and when to throw them all out.

But what we really want to know is, how do you put them on, exactly?

And what are the best ways of applying makeup?

Not a lot of us are willing to admit it, even back when at our best friend's slumber party in sixth grade, but a lot of the makeup applying we do is still mostly trial and error. There are things we eventually find that works for us, but couldn't there be a better way?

Tips for Foundation

Don't pile it on, that's for sure. We recommend powder foundation, as offered by various mineral lines, swept on lightly in layers with a Kabuki brush, just check that each layer is light in itself.

The rule is you can always add more if you need to, and you can't exactly deduct the layers of foundation from your face without washing it all off. Same principle goes with liquid or crème foundations, apply the lightest coats possible. Dot small pea-sized amounts of liquid foundation over your face and smoothen out with a new sponge, use water to control the spreading and keep it all even.

Please keep changing your sponges!

Water may be your friend in applying foundation, but not when it sits in your sponge attracting bacteria.

Tips for the Eyes

A similar tip for the eyes - dab a little water onto your brush applicator before picking up color and spreading it on your eyes, you'll see that more of it will come with your applicator and, therefore, onto your eyelid. Let dry and it's like magic. After applying your colors, blend with a sponge tip applicator, or even your pinky. We assume you washed your hands thoroughly before you started putting make up on, yes?

And while we're on the subject, you did wash your face too, right?

Tips for Your Cheeks

Also apply blush in layers. Get some powder on your brush and lightly blow off excess powder before sweeping the brush diagonally up your cheekbones and then across the apples of your cheeks. If you use cream blush, dab ultra small amounts on the apples and spread them out evenly. It should look like you lightly blushed, as if someone just teased you a little, not as if you just found out that you forgot to zip up your pants.

The secret: just blend well.

Tips for the Lips

Before application advice, we'd like to remind you to care about your lips and keep them crack-free. A good lip conditioner over your lips before any other product should do the trick, lipstick usually seals the moisture in and keeps your lips healthy in the process. Don't draw the outline of your lips with your lip liner. Sketch it, that is, create lighter strokes to define your lips instead of a bold, imposing line.

You'll find there are now fewer chances of mistakes. Fill in your lips with lipstick, though you can also use your lip liner as color, spreading the color out with a lip brush. Top it all off with gloss, but put only on the center of your lips, as there's no real need to spread it all out.

So there you have it, four quick tips on applying makeup for you try today. Make sure above everything else... have fun!