Coming up on my two-year mark of being a professional MUA, and one-year mark of being a MAC MUA, I have learned quite a lot of stellar tips and tricks to hide anything from a hangover to correcting even the most stubborn of dark spots -- the hidden secrets. I’m sharing some of my favorites with you, so you can effortlessly look red-carpet ready when the time calls.

1. De-puffing tired eyes

Being in college with little to no sleep is a norm, but that doesn’t mean that our eyes have to suffer too, there are two super easy ways to combat puffy eyes. Stick a two metal spoons in the freezer overnight then place them under your eyes for a couple of minutes until they cool. However, if your running short on time, try dabbing some clear eye drops around your eye area with your fingers, and watch as your skin tightens in seconds.

2. Matte lips

Over the last year matte lips have become a huge trend, but that doesn’t mean you need to re-buy every lipstick you own in a matte formula, you can actually transform every shade you own into a matte finish with just some face powder. After you have applied your lipstick, dab a little bit of your face powder onto your lips with your finger, to dull out any shine.

3. Bridle lashes

So many people using mascara have no idea there is such thing as a mascara primer, and you’re probably thinking that you might not need it, but I’m telling you to do it ASAP. Wearing mascara especially if you’re wearing it daily wears out your lashes, and actually can dehydrate them causing them to become more prone to breakage. Mascara primer can be worn in two ways, always before mascara, and then right before you go to bed so it can sit on your lashes overnight. Mascara primers contain vitamin C, which help rehabilitate your lashes after being coated in mascara, this way they always remain soft and hydrated.

4. Cakey Foundation

Many people coat their entire face in foundation and concealer, which leads to one thing: cakey makeup! Before you apply your foundation in the morning, evaluate your face, apply your concealer only in your problem spots, concealer is much thicker than foundation and is not meant to be applied across your face. In most cases people are applying foundation and concealer in places they don’t even need it.

5. Creasing Makeup

Primer and powder will make a night and day difference in your makeup, so invest in it. Primer is like the foundation of a building, without a sturdy foundation the building cannot stand. Same concept when it comes to makeup. It will work wonders, in helping minimize pores, sucking out excess oil and evening out the texture of your skin so when you do apply your foundation it comes out even and stays put all day. When it comes to eye shadow, primer will make a world of a difference in the color payoff, this way you use much less product, and get a lot better results, and just like foundation primer will keep your colors from creasing all day. While creasing can be minimized with the use of primers it doesn’t stop there. To keep foundation in place all day, always finish with a face powder, but be careful when you apply it, you don’t want to brush it so much that any prior work turns muddy or make your face turn ashy. Dip lightly into loose powers, or swirl lightly for pressed, then gently dap it through out your face. To completely solve your creasing problems evaluate the texture of your concealer and foundation, never apply a creamy concealer under your eyes, it will only lead to creases. Creamy concealers are the heaviest formulas, which means they are to hide dark spots such as acne marks. If you’re looking to hide dark circles try a bighting pen under your eyes, then tap over it lightly with some foundation and blend it out, it will make you look like you had a coffee or four, even if you’re running on two hours of sleep.

6. Make your lip color last and your lips appear fuller

When rocking a bold lip, try applying lip liner first. Start by lining your lips on your natural lip line (P.S. -- don’t be the person who outlines the outside of their lips, we know it's fake and it looks ridiculous) then draw an X in the middle of your upper lip along your cupid's bow, and a U in the middle of your bottom lip then on each side draw two lines vertically, this will help give that fuller lip illusion, follow this by lightly shading your lips in with the liner and then following up with your lipstick. After you have applied your lipstick, add another layer of lip liner. This will frame the color creating a sandwich effect around your lipstick and making your pout last for hours. Looking for even fuller lips? Dap your finger in a bit of highlighter and gently tap in in the center of your bottom lip and dust lightly on your cupid's bow.

Until next time!