It's time to kiss and make-up!

No one can deny that make-up can spell wonders for anyone. Whether one’s purpose is to achieve flawless skin, a fun and perky look, or a glamorous air, the right touch of foundation, a stroke of blush or a swipe of lipstick certainly makes a difference. It is easy enough to do this, what with the myriad of cosmetics that are available on the market nowadays. The key is in knowing the proper application of cosmetics to pull off a desired look.

Robinsons Department Store (RDS), which is holding its "Kiss & Make-Up" Beauty Sale from Aug. 16 to 31 in all its branches, shares some fool-proof ways to make-up magic with the help of former model and make-up artist Lala Flores who created a look that’s fresh and casual and perfect for everyday wear on model Grace Tagle.

Pre-make-up ritual. No amount of make-up can work its magic if one doesn’t have a clean skin to begin with, so make sure to stick to a skin care regimen. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are basic procedures to achieve healthy skin.

Concealers. "Sometimes, a concealer alone can go a long way," says Lala as she applies a cream concealer on Grace’s face. Cream concealers are ideal for younger women, while liquid concealers are best for more mature women because of the product’s thicker concentration. This beauty product acts as a good base for make-up and also helps cover tired lines and redness in the eye area, blemishes and pimples. When applying start from the inner eye area and work your way to the edges of the face, making sure that it is well-blended as you go along. (Must-know: "When choosing the right concealer hue, make sure that you’re under natural light so you’ll see if it really matches your skin tone. Also, test its texture and see how it would adhere to the skin," Lala says.)

Foundation. Like the concealer, the foundation is a basic must-have. In choosing the right color, Lala suggests that it is best to first apply a single streak of foundation along the jaw line and spread it towards the neck area. If the color disappears and blends with your skin, then that is the right hue for you. "This way, you don’t have to put make-up on your neck to match the one on your face," the former ramp queen points out.

Start applying from the outer edges and work your way in, making sure that you evenly spread the foundation. Finish it off with a light dusting of loose powder. (Must-know: "Loose powder helps set the foundation. If you don’t have any on, madaling mag-oil ang make-up," Lala says.)

Eyebrows. Once you’ve plucked your eyebrows to the desired shape, brush the inner area upwards and the outer area downwards. Fill in the gaps by applying powder or eyeshadow that matches your natural eyebrow color. And while it is advisable to use the same color as the hair on your brows, those with dark hair should opt for lighter hues to help soften the face.

Eyeshadows. Eyeshadows lend depth and even drama to your eyes. Work your way from the inner area of the lids to the edges and then slightly above the crease area. Make sure that your eyeshadow is well-blended. After applying a lighter shade as a base, apply a medium tone to give depth, and use a darker shade for definition. (Must—know: "Though warm, earth colors are good for Filipinas, this should not stop them from trying on other shades for a different or modern look," Lala explains.)

Eyelashes. While working from the roots to the tips, wiggle the mascara brush a little to spread out your lashes. Use mascara with a curved brush for easy application. "If you don’t have one, just bend the one that you have." For those with dark circles under the eyes, putting mascara on the lower lashes can just highlight them; simply apply a lighter shade of eyeshadow.

Blush. The easiest way to pull off that naturally flushed look is to smile while applying the blush on the cheeks. "Create a semi-triangular stroke in the apple of the cheek," Lala stresses.

Lips. It is best to first apply lip balm before swiping on lipstick to smoothen out the lips. And while making color stay longer on the lips is a constant problem among women, Lala says that nothing can solve this other than re-application. "It is still best to reapply lipstick so that it will always look fresh," Lala says. (Must-know: Unless you’re on a night-out, better go light on the color of your lips if you have full-color on your eyes and vice-versa.)

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Robinsons Department Store "Kiss & Make-Up" Beauty Sale runs from Aug. 16 to 31 in all its branches nationwide. Avail of a wide selection of the best beauty buys for up to 50 percent discount. This promotion is sponsored by Johnson’s, Neutrogena, Ever Bilena, VMV, Max Factor, Silka, Colgate, Nivea, Giorgio Beverly Hills Perfume, Body & Soul, Secret, Aido, Maybelline, ZA, Pond’s St. Ive’s and Wella.