Carolina Gonzalez, a leading makeup artist for Victoria’s Secret, regularly works on shoots in exotic locations and tours with the celebrity Victoria Secret models, known as "Angels." She's worked with the most well-known Angels, including Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima and Selita Ebanks.

Gonzalez started out as a receptionist for designer Carolina Herrera, working her way up to a makeup artist; her work has been featured in "Elle," "Glamour," "Cosmopolitan" and "Vogue."

She spoke to eHow about how to apply the signature Victoria’s Secret makeup.

Slideshow

Apply Makeup Like a Victoria's Secret Model

Apply Makeup Like a Victoria's Secret Model

By Antonia Blyth, eHow

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Overview

Candice Swanepoel has been a Victoria’s Secret model since 2007. Originally from South Africa, where she began modeling at age 15, she has been featured on the covers of "Vogue," "Elle" and "Harper’s Bazaar" and has walked the runway for fashion designers Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi, among many others. In 2011, she made No. 10 on "Forbes" magazine's list of the world's top-earning models. She talked Victoria’s Secret makeup tips with eHow.

Courtesy of Victoria's Secret

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Feeling Feminine

When I first started working for Victoria’s Secret, I was surprised because it’s not [about] a lot of makeup, it’s just certain tricks that make your face look more feminine. It’s nice to look in the mirror and see that. Before VS, I was modeling for magazines, and they would always do an androgynous look and try to make me look more strange, but VS is all about being a woman and more about being sexy, so I love seeing that transformation.

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'50s Bombshell

In the last couple of years, Victoria’s Secret has been inspired by that '50s bombshell look, like Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. It’s liquid liner elongating the eye and lots of lashes -- the typical look that enhances a woman’s features. I feel like it looks good on every woman. I personally always like to use winged liner and a couple of single false lashes. With eyeliner the trick is to stretch your lid sideways toward the temple so it’s easier to do the line straight. A lot of women are scared to do it, but I say just go wild practicing at home.

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Tricks of the Trade

I’ve learned so much from the VS makeup artists. They do a lot with contouring using bronzers. I also learned I like using a lip pencil the same color as my lips to make my pout a little bigger, and I use an eyelash curler every day now! I love their trick of using a highlight on the inner corners of my eyes -- it makes them really pop. That’s one of the products I always use -- the illuminator. You can put it on the cheekbones, in the bow of your lips and the corner just under your brow. It brings your skin to life. I also learned to use a cream pencil on the inner rim of the eye. If you’re tired it makes your eyes look brighter and more open.

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Makeup Must-Haves

Before I started modeling I wanted to be a makeup artist, but when I’m not working, I try not to wear any makeup to let my skin breathe. But when I go out with the girls I like to do a really thick liquid liner and lots of mascara or just rosy cheeks and lips. I think the must-haves in your makeup bag have to be mascara, concealer and a liquid liner. You can also use a peachy pink lipstick for your cheeks and lips -- find something that doubles up.

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The Eyes Have It

For eye shadow, I like the VS palettes. I have blue eyes so I like to keep it bronzy with browns for contrast. Sometimes you can put a little blue in the corners, too. Test out what looks good with your eye color, and it’s all about blending because you don’t want to see any hard lines. Make-up isn’t about going drag queeny, it’s about enhancing what you have already, so anything too drastic doesn’t looks good.

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Cover It Up

I always have concealer in my bag. The VS Pro line has a great concealer palette that includes one with a green tone, which most people would probably be too scared to use, but it takes redness out as the green neutralizes the red. I put a little of that on and then the regular concealer over the top.

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You Glow Girl

I feel really good with a nice glow. It’s good to use the VS bronzers and self-tanners. I also use a body brush before I get in the shower to get the circulation going and exfoliate. Also, for a dewy look, I ask the makeup artists to only use blotting papers. If they have to use powder I only want them to use it on the T-zone area, so it’s not caking too much stuff on.

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Healthy Skin

I’m crazy about my skin and keeping it fresh and smooth because there’s nothing worse than going to work and feeling uncomfortable. I get facials every month, and I use simple, natural, non-expensive products I buy from Whole Foods. When I’m working with makeup artists I ask them to use my own moisturizer because too many different products can confuse your skin. I also like to use plain rosewater as a toner.

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Candice Swanepoel has been a Victoria’s Secret model since 2007. Originally from South Africa, where she began modeling at age 15, she has been featured on the covers of "Vogue," "Elle" and "Harper’s Bazaar" and has walked the runway for fashion designers Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Fendi, among many others. In 2011, she made No. 10 on "Forbes" magazine's list of the world's top-earning models. She talked Victoria’s Secret makeup tips with eHow.

Courtesy of Victoria's Secret

eHow: What are the key elements to the Victoria’s Secret makeup look?

Carolina Gonzalez: One of the first key things is glowy skin. I usually work on all the swim shoots, and it’s always nice to have someone with sun-kissed skin. I’m not saying to actually tan, but it’s important to have a nice warm base; you can achieve this with tinted lotions and bronzers. I begin with tinted moisturizer. Sometimes, I use the darkest tint because I use a light layer and you can still see the skin underneath it; it gives a hint of warmth. Then I use my favorite Victoria's Secret bronzer, the VS Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder.

Of course, beautiful lashes are another element, along with a cheek stain and lip stain. I also like a tiny bit of smoked definition in the eye for that sexy look.

If you want to look extra dewy, dab on moisturizer on top of the makeup, especially on the cheekbones where you want the light to catch. Carolina Gonzalez, makeup artist for Victoria's Secret

eHow: Do you give the models advice on not drinking alcohol or drinking plenty of water before a shoot? What gives them great skin?

CG: It’s internal and external. The girls are pros, so they eat really well -- really clean, healthy food and lots of water -- although, sometimes I have to remind them to drink lots of water! It’s always key -- and of course, you have to have a good moisturizer.

eHow: How do you apply the base to begin with?

CG: Usually, I do tinted moisturizer first, then I add the concealer. Depending on how the skin is, I might use some foundation as well. If the skin is really great, I just go with the tinted moisturizer. It also depends on how long I need it to last. If I need it to last all day, I’ll go with more of a foundation and, sometimes, I’ll just mix a little concealer with moisturizer lightly over the face.

eHow: Can you give us a step by step of powder application, blush, bronzer, highlighter?

CG: With powder bronzer, I contour the complete face with it. I contour the cheekbones, around the hairline, around the jaw line and around the creases of the eyelids. I do it with an angled, full brush, which is key because if the brush is full, it applies it more liberally -- and it blends the bronzer as you’re applying it. Good blending is vital. When you do a base, whether it’s tinted or foundation, you’re kind of taking out the definition in your face, so you’ve got to put it back in -- that’s why I use the bronzer that way.

eHow: How do you apply blush?

CG: It depends on the face shape. Sometimes, if the face is wider, I put blush more on the cheekbone itself because it just brings in the shape, but if the face is narrow, I put it on the apples of the cheeks. It’s important to blend it in; sometimes, I use one of the latex sponge wedges for that.

eHow: Do you use highlighters?

CG: A lot of the bronzers already have flecks of shimmer in them, so that automatically adds sheen to the face. The Victoria's Secret blush I use a lot is the VS [Luminous] Mineral Blush Duo "Pleasure" -- it already has a sheen, so it's illuminating.