Before you choose any cosmetics you need to know which shades and tones are right for you. To find out what colors will blend in with your own skin tones, take a look at your skin color in a mirror, but take it out into direct sunlight. Do you see just a hint of blue, or cool toning? Or is there a hint of yellow (warm)?  If you can't decide it could be because your skin tone is actually neutral.

Here is another way to tell: hold up a piece of gold material next to your face, and then swap for a piece of silver material. Which does your skin look better with? If it was the gold, then your skin tones are warm; if silver looked best, then you have cool skin tones. If they both looked fine it could be that your skin tones are neutral. If you truly cannot decide, ask a friend for help.

The three basic cosmetics are concealer, foundation and powder. A concealer should be a shade lighter than your natural skin, so you can blend in any dark areas to look more natural. Some experts advise matching it with the color of your lower eyelid, as this is usually a little paler than your face.

The liquid foundation should be as close to your natural color as possible. Once applied, you shouldn't be able to see it, but rather an improvement in the overall look of the skin quality. The powder should be the same as the foundation in color. If you have red spots such as acne, go for a spot neutralizer that would be used under the concealer.

Eye shadow is not always labeled for skin tones, so as a general rule, if you have warm tones, earth colors look best - red if you are a redhead looks fabulous. Cooler skin tones need pinks, berries and blue/grays. Neutral? Try a combination of the two.

Eyeliner and mascara colors will depend on your hair color. If you are in the light or light brown range, then brown/black is the choice, while the darker browns or black should choose black. Don't forget the lipstick and it should tone with the eye shadow, but can be a shade lighter or darker. If you just love shimmery eye shadow and lipstick colors go ahead and use them but not both together. Shimmery lipstick should be teamed with plain eye shadow and vice versa.