Beauty by the Minute: The Perfect Summer Makeup

Bring the drama with major eyeliner and juicy nails--the perfect balance of sexy and sweet. Pick a rich plum pencil, which is dark enough to define your eyes but easier to wear than black, and line your lashes, top and bottom. Start light and go as Cleopatra-esque as you want; finish by flicking up the line slightly at the outer corners (our favorite eye-lifting trick). Then even things out with a shimmer-free powder bronzer swept along your cheekbones and a pink-tinted lip balm. Final touch: Paint your nails a ripe tangerine color. Dee-licious.

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Essie Nail Polish in Vermillionaire, $8; Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, $35; Rimmel London Kajal Eyeliner in Purple Passion, $3.33.

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Try an all-over mix of peach and gold makeup: These romantic, sunset colors flatter everyone. Rub a peach (or coral, if you have darker skin) cream blush along your cheeks. Then brush a copper-gold shadow on your lids up to the creases; for extra oomph, lightly dust it up to your brow bones. Top it all off with a swipe of creamy peach lipstick.

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CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipcolor in Rapture, $6.50; Too Faced Exotic Color Intense Eye Shadow in Copper Peony, $18; Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color in Blushing Nude, $8.

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Throw on a bright lipstick--it's the express (and foolproof) route to looking polished. First, smooth a drop of tinted moisturizer all over your face, which adds warmth to balance a strong mouth. Then go for a vivid orange-y red lipstick: It's fresh and looks nice on all skin tones. Apply it with your finger to mute the shade, or slick it straight on for a striking punch of color.

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Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, $30; MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Lady Danger, $14.50.

Yes, you can get this fresh and pretty: Brush on black mascara for eye-opening magic, and go rosy on your cheeks and lips--the natural-looking color takes zero precision to put on. Use a cream blush (it's sheerer than powder, so blending is a cinch) and a tinted lip balm, which moisturizes and adds color in one swipe. See ya later, beautiful!

Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in Peony, $9.79; Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick, $8.99.

HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD PARTS: Have the complexion blahs? Dust highlighter on the tip of your nose, the top of each cheekbone, and in your cupid's bow (that indentation between your nose and upper lip). It's like a 30-second facial--instant radiance. (We like L'Oréal Paris True Match Naturale Mineral Glow, $15.25.)

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MAKEUP: In a pinch, any shimmer-free pink or peach lipstick easily doubles as a cream blush. Or use the same colors of cream blush on your pucker. Try Estée Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Rose Petal, $25.