Simple Strategy: Even Skin Tone

Jenny Barr, 47, an elementary-school guidance counselor in Allentown, Pennsylvania

Jenny has beautiful golden skin, but thanks to sun exposure and a birthmark on her cheek, it looked blotchy,” says BJ Gillian, a makeup artist based in New York City. “I wanted to even out Jenny’s complexion while at the same time letting her skin show through.”

First Gillian used an opaque, yellow-based concealer on two areas that needed camouflaging — the dark inner corners of Jenny’s eyes and her birthmark. “Go for a long-wearing formulation that contains no wax or oil,” he suggests. “It won’t settle into fine lines and will stay put all day.” Gillian used his fingertip to gently press the concealer onto Jenny’s skin. Then, to add color to her complexion, Gillian brushed bronzer over Jenny’s cheekbones and across her forehead.

On Jenny: Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer, $10 at drugstores; Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunkissed, $23.50, www.clinique.com.

Finishing Touches: Gillian kept it simple, using a fingertip to dab a golden shimmer cream under Jenny’s brow bones. He lined her upper and lower lashes with brown shadow and applied black mascara to her top lashes. On Jenny’s lips, he used a soft rose gold shade of sheer lipstick that complemented her warm complexion.

Tip to Try: Use bronzer instead of blush. “You’ll get an allover natural tint, instead of patches of color on your cheeks,” says Gillian.

Jenny’s Reaction: “I was very happy with my look when BJ was finished with me,” Jenny says. “And my daughters think my makeup looks so natural now.”