Simple Strategy: Play Up Lips

Jenn Parker, 27, a business analyst in Boston.

Jenn, a triathlete, is low-maintenance when it comes to her looks. “I never wear makeup, just lip balm,” she says. “Jenn’s lips are naturally pale, so a stronger lip color will add sophistication to her whole face, and it’s almost as effortless as lip balm,” says Gillian. To balance her rosy cheeks, dark eyes, and tan, freckled skin, he chose a deep but sheer plum lipstick.

First Gillian lined and then filled in Jenn’s lips with a creamy nude pencil. Tracing just outside the natural border of her lips created a slightly fuller shape, and the pencil “also gave the lipstick something to hold on to, so it wouldn’t require touch-ups,” says Gillian. Then he applied a sheer golden plum lipstick with a slight shimmer. The nude pencil underneath softened the plum so Jenn would feel comfortable, not overdone, wearing it.

On Jenn: NYC Cosmetics Jumbo Lipstick Pencil in Bewitching, $3 at drugstores; Cargo Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Cece, $20, www.sephora.com.

Finishing Touches: To even out Jenn’s complexion, Gillian applied a tinted moisturizer, which allowed her freckles to show through. Then he added a natural, healthy-looking glow to her skin by dusting a sheer pink blush onto her cheeks. He blended a rose bronze cream eye shadow over her lids, using a pinkie fingertip (there’s no need for a special eye-shadow brush). He curled her top lashes, then applied a coat of black mascara.

Tip to Try: To find a foolproof, natural lip color, pull down your lower lip and examine the tissue’s tone (it could be pink, plum, or cocoa). Choose a lipstick that matches that tone.

Jenn’s Reaction: “I’m so surprised that makeup can be really easy,” Jenn says. “I’m glad to have a more polished look now.” And her boyfriend’s reaction? “He did a double take when he first saw me,” she says.