In today's Show and Tell Me, we are introducing a new feature, Ask Christine. Christine is a professional makeup artist who has worked extensively in the US and abroad, on both sides of the camera. She has joined us at Tell Me Girlfriend to provide specific and practical answers to your questions on looking your very best. We invite you to write to her at christine@tellmegirlfriend.com and ask any questions you have. We'll be providing her advice as an irregular feature at Show and Tell Me. Today she is going to give us an overview of how to make your skin look its best. And now, we'd like you to meet Christine. I'm going to start with the basic element of beauty, your skin. Your skin is the most important part of your appearance. Spend your time and money in choosing your base. Use the lightest coverage you can, as we want to highlight you, not your makeup. The following tips are generalizations. Be guided by your own skin. And use sunscreen every day underneath any other makeup! I am giving some concrete suggestions for foundations. The key is to try them out before you buy. Sephora is a great makeup stop, if you have one nearby, as you can try out all the products. You won't get any take-home samples at Sephora, however. Go to a good cosmetics counter at a department or specialty store and try their suggestions. Ask for some samples of foundations to try at home; they often have some.  Here's a tip. Tell the saleswoman that you are looking for the perfect foundation, and don't buy anything right away! (Buy something small if you feel guilty about not buying anything.) Wear the foundation all day. Look at it in different lights. Try the sample at home. Check out more than one line and choose what is best for you. This is whe! re you are going to put your money. Take your time. Make the most of it. In your twenties and thirties, you will probably want an oil-free foundation. Bobbie Brown makes wonderful foundations. To make a foundation more sheer, mix it with some Neutrogena moisturizer. Another way to make any foundation more sheer is by going over it with a wet sponge. In your forties, tinted moisturizers are great. They help to even out your skin, and generally give some sun protection as well (although not enough - use your sunscreen). Two lines I like for tinted moisturizers are Bobbie Brown and Laura Mercier. Estee Lauder has a great line for skin that is a little older. Everyone should wear concealer. Bobbie Brown's concealer is great, as the creamy concealer comes in a kit with a yellow powder to set it. Apply it after your foundation, under your eyes. It is critical to set a concealer with powder. You should use a powder over a foundation, to absorb oil through the day. Translucent powder is good for most skin tones. Don't use the powder by itself, as it needs something to cling to. Blot your skin with a blotting paper before dusting with powder if it tends to be oily. Ardell is a good line of blotting paper available at drug stores and mass merchandisers. There are lots of other good lines of blotting paper. A thrifty substitute that is just as good - next time you are in a public restroom with paper toilet-seat covers, take one with you. It is the same stuff as blotting paper, and one seat cover will last you a long time. If toilet-seat covers aren't your thing, Clinique will sell you some lovely blotting paper, also. Finally, give your skin a sunkissed look with some bronzer. Dust it lightly where the sun would touch you - forehead, nose, cheekbones. Admire your beautiful, healthy skin! In my next newsletter, I will cover color on your face - blush, lipcolor, eye color, eyebrows. I'm looking forward to answering your questions. Write to me. christine@tellmegirlfriend.com. Talk to you soon! Your Grooming Girlfriend, Christine	advertising from our affiliates