By Marla Louise

On makeup, I use the following procedure normally, varying it somewhat with what I'm planning to do in the day....

- Actually, first I put my hair in curlers, it keeps the hair out of the way and lets it set while I'm working on my face.

- Then, a close shave. I use a glycerin soap and just a basin of hot water instead of flowing water. The purpose of the soap is so I don't soak the remaining stubble with oils that many shave creams have, thus making them stand out more. The purpose of no flowing water is so I can hear (yes, I mean hear) my shaving. The sound gives me feedback on my shaving.

- I then apply the dermablend. I do not do it per instructions with the little paddle, but instead rub my finger on the dermablend and then rub it on the face. This allows you to control the amount actually put on and allows better blending. To help set the dermablend, I'll rub my hands together till they are hot due to friction and then press my hands against my face. I'll also set it with powder.

- For the upper lip, I will normally then also apply both shades of Jim Bridges beard cover in a similar manner.

- I do some highlighting of my face with lighter than skin color cover cream. This is done by putting a little on my palm and then rubbing a sponge on the palm and applying it to the face. I use my palm a lot to control the amount of makeup that goes on the face.

- Over all this I use a powder foundation (I use Max Factor). If you blended the beard cover previously, the foundation then smooth out all the color variance. Again, apply and blend it on the palm first. Make sure the brush is fully covered instead of just the tips.

- Blush for the cheeks, the jaw line lightly and forehead above the eyes lightly. You can blend this with the powder foundation in your palm for a lighter effect.

- Eyes color/eyeliner next, highlighting the inner eye and brow with light powder, dark powder to accent the outer edge and lid of eye. Blending the eyeshadow with blusher can give a warmer effect on the brow or lid of the eye. I normally don't use any color except black except if I am dressing up for evening. I also will use the black shadow on my eye brows for more definition.

- Mascara. Wipe it on a kleenex first to get off excess mascara from the edges (you don't need it there) and make sure the whole lash is covered, not just the tips. Throw out your mascara about every two months (I label my makeup with date opened)

- Lipliner and then lipstick with a lipstick brush, not directly from the tube. This allows much more control and makes your lipstick last longer. You can optionally blot the lipstick with a kleenex and apply additional layers.

- If done right, the end result can have a very light look. Then out with the curlers, brush out hair and use hair spray, perfume and clothes. I can do the whole process from starting the curlers to out the door in a little more than half an hour.