Sharon Gault earned the nickname "Mama Makeup" in 1990 when she applied her skills on Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour. Since then, she's created flawless makeup for Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Uma Thurman, Kate Bosworth, Britney Spears and countless other A-listers. She's also been a long-time muse to artist David LaChapelle. Her expansive portfolio boasts "Vogue" covers and advertising campaigns, and plenty of stars have worn her work on the red carpet.

Gault tells eHow how to create a basic makeup look in 10 steps.

How to Apply Makeup in 10 Easy Steps

Slideshow

Apply Makeup in 10 Easy Steps

Apply Makeup in 10 Easy Steps

By Eileen Sweeney, eHow

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Overview

It's easy to appreciate the beautiful makeup on the faces in magazines; what might not be so easy is achieving that same look at home. Unlike the magazine models, most of us don't have the services of a professional makeup artist at our disposal, so the task of applying picture-perfect makeup can seem a little daunting. We asked Sharon Gault, a professional makeup artist with over 20 years of experience, to share her secrets. She broke it down into 10 easy steps, and now anyone can apply flawless makeup too.

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Step 1: Hydrating the Skin

Hydrating the skin is a simple, but very important, first step. It gives you the smooth and supple skin that is ideal for applying makeup. First spray clean skin with water or a spray fixative, then liberally apply moisturizer.

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Step 2: Primer

Use a primer to prepare your skin for the concealer and foundation. Apply all over the face and neck. With a primer, makeup goes on better and lasts longer. Primers can also help to minimize pores.

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Step 3: Concealer

Use concealer to cover problem areas on the skin such as redness, spots or blemishes. Pat onto the skin wherever needed. Concealers come in different tints. In this case, Gault uses a yellow-based concealer to even out the red areas on the model's face.

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Step 4: Foundation

Now that the skin is hydrated and primed and the trouble spots have been dealt with, it's time to apply the foundation. Select a color that's as close as possible to your natural skin tone. Apply all over the face and blend into the neck. You can keep layering it to create an even look across your face, but be sure that it's smoothly applied and well-blended. You want it to be invisible to the eye. The idea is to create a flawless, balanced finish.

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Step 5: Contouring -- Highlighter and Bronzer

Using highlighter and bronzer helps contour the face to create shape and definition. Bronzer should be a warm hue that's a bit darker than your natural skin tone. Highlighter is brighter. Sweep bronzer under the cheekbone and continue up along the hairline. Then apply highlighter right on the cheekbone. You'll have instant killer cheekbones. You can also help define your jaw by adding bronzer just beneath the jawline. Regardless of the feature you choose to enhance, be subtle. You don't want to overdo it with bronzer.

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Step 6: Blush

Blush gives you a nice, rosy glow. While smiling, apply blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend back toward the hairline. As with everything, you don't want any noticeable splotches of makeup. Blend well. Be sure to avoid applying blush below the cheekbone. This will not result in a natural look.

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Step 7: Brows

This may not be a technique you've employed before, but defining the eyebrows really makes the eyes pop. Here, Gault uses a pencil that is a slightly lighter shade than the model's eyebrow. This helps make her eye color more vibrant and brings out the lighter tones in her hair. Follow the natural shape of the eyebrow and fill it in. Avoid anything too dark or over-the-top. You just want to enhance your natural brow line.

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Step 8: Eyes -- Shadow and Liner

The next step is a big one: the eyes. In this step, you'll apply shadow, liner and mascara. It's all about making the eyes the focal point of your face. For a natural look, you'll want to use neutral tones like earthy browns. Start with the shadow. Apply a light brown all over the lid and crease. Then use a darker brown along the crease and lid. Start at the outer corner of the eye and work the shadow along the crease and the edge of the lid. This will create depth and elongate the eye. Again, make sure all the shadow is blended well so there are no visible lines. Next, you'll add brown liner to the lid along the lash line. Apply from the outside in. Be sure to soften the line after you've applied it.

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Step 8 Con't: Eyes -- Mascara

Now that your eyes have depth, it's time to make them really stand out with a few coats of mascara. If you have an eyelash curler, use that on the lashes before applying any mascara. When you apply the mascara, be sure to coat and separate every last lash. Use a clean mascara brush, free of clumps.

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Step 9: Lips

To complete this natural look, all you have to do is finish up with the lips. For a daytime look, you'll want to choose a neutral shade. First use a pencil to line the lips. This will create your lip shape. Then apply a coat of lipstick, and finish off with a matching gloss. It's best to use a brush to apply the lipstick so you'll have more control.

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Step 10: Day to Night

The final step is transitioning your daytime makeup into something more glamorous for evening. It may look like a whole new look, but it's actually just three easy steps. First add more blush. Then apply black liquid eyeliner for more dramatic eyes. Finally, go for a classic red lip. With a few items you can carry in your purse, you're able to go from day to night in no time.

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It's easy to appreciate the beautiful makeup on the faces in magazines; what might not be so easy is achieving that same look at home. Unlike the magazine models, most of us don't have the services of a professional makeup artist at our disposal, so the task of applying picture-perfect makeup can seem a little daunting. We asked Sharon Gault, a professional makeup artist with over 20 years of experience, to share her secrets. She broke it down into 10 easy steps, and now anyone can apply flawless makeup too.

Demand Media / Reuben Steinberg

eHow: How do you prep the skin before makeup?

Sharon Gault: I like to start with a fixing spray. A few spritzes will help makeup last longer and "hold" onto the skin better. Next, it’s really important to feed the skin with moisture. A really hydrating moisturizer will give you a nice surface to work with. I love Embryolisse cream. It’s French, but you can buy it online in the United States and it’s really affordable. I discovered it at makeup shows and then found out that all the models in Europe use it. You can use it as a moisturizer and a makeup remover and it can also work as a primer. I love Clinique and Neutrogena moisturizers too.

eHow: What is the purpose of primer and do you use one?

SG: I do love to use a primer after the moisturizer. I like to use brushes to apply everything, but using your fingers to apply and blend is fine too. Primers just really make your pores disappear and the makeup goes on really smooth after. I like Make Up For Ever’s primer or Smashbox’s Photo Finish primer. I also use some color corrective primers sometimes. If you have some redness, you can use a little green-tinted primer, or yellow-tinted primer to counteract shadows and dark circles.

eHow: How is concealer applied, and are several types necessary?

SG: After priming, you can use your fingers to blend a yellow-toned concealer under the eyes to lighten and brighten shadows and any redness. You can also brighten under-eye circles with an illuminating concealer like Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat, or plenty of drugstore brands make good ones. I dab that under the eyes and blend, then I cover that with a layer of creamy concealer that matches the skin tone perfectly. Make sure you blend really well with a brush or fingers. I also like to put concealer around the nose to cover any redness or discoloration. A little extra brightness there works to "lift" the face, and be sure to blend in an upward motion. To get the right color, you want to make sure it matches the skin on your neck and jawline when you look at it in daylight.

It’s better to go with the shade that’s a little too light for you rather than the one that’s too dark, because you can add color with blush and bronzer later. The same rule goes for foundation color.

eHow: How do you apply foundation and which type is best?

SG: One of my favorite foundations is by the drugstore brand Milani. I love their creamy foundation. Again, I like to use a brush, but you can use your fingers. You just really need to make sure everything is really blended well. That’s the key thing with foundation – blend, then blend again.

If you’re using a foundation with a heavier coverage for blemishes or uneven tone, you’ll need to apply some of the product to your neck, blending really well, of course. If you’re wearing a low neckline, you can blend a little foundation all the way to the edge of your top. I put tissues around the neckline of the clothes to protect them while I’m working. You do need to be careful not to get foundation from your neck onto your collar – it’s not a good look. Tinted moisturizers are a great option for lighter coverage. Start with a small amount and blend really well. You can always add a little more. I don’t like to use a lot of powder after the base; it can look too cakey. If your T-zone is really shiny, you can use just a touch of powder there to mattify.