They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They say beauty is only skin deep. But we all know that first impressions are important, and people do judge us by our appearances—whether we like it or not. So why not make the best of it? Learning how to apply makeup is a skill that will serve you well throughout your life, whether you’re going on a date or interviewing for a job. And knowing how to apply makeup correctly can give you an extra confidence boost when you need it most.

There’s no need to spend hours in front of the mirror every morning perfecting your look (unless, of course, you want to!). With these six easy steps for applying makeup like a pro, you’ll be out the door in no time looking natural and gorgeous.

Highlight the Right Areas

One of the best ways to brighten up your face is to use a highlighter on the areas that light would naturally hit: your cheekbones, brow bones, and down the center of your nose. A nude eyeshadow can also double as a highlighter in a pinch. Just make sure you tap off any excess product before applying it to your skin, so you don’t end up looking shiny.

If you have dark circles under your eyes, use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone and apply it using an applicator brush or ring finger. You can also highlight the bottom of your face by applying a certified Organic lipstick. This will make your lips gorgeous without attacking them.

Get the Right Foundation

When it comes to applying makeup, the right foundation is key. A good foundation will hide blemishes and even out your skin tone, making it look smooth and flawless. It’s also an important step in your makeup routine because it helps set the tone for everything else you’re going to do.

If you’re using a liquid foundation, apply it with a sponge or beauty blender to get a natural finish that looks like skin rather than paint. If you’re using a powder foundation, make sure to tap off any excess powder before applying so that it doesn’t cake up on your face and look unnatural.

Conceal Judiciously

To help minimize the appearance of dark circles and blemishes, concealer is your best friend. Under-eye circles can be especially tricky to hide, but a dab of concealer on top of your foundation will help even out skin tone and hide imperfections.

And if you’re looking to cover up an acne breakout or other blemish, use a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone and dab it on the area using your ring finger or an applicator brush. That way, you won’t spread bacteria from your fingers onto another part of your face.

Use Bronzer to Shape Your Face

Bronzer is the perfect tool to use if you want to give your face some extra definition. Apply bronzer along your hairline, jawline, and cheekbones. Then use a big powder brush to blend it all out so there are no harsh lines.

For an even more natural look, you can also add a bit of bronzer to the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face: forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. The combined effect will be a sun-kissed look that’s perfect for summertime or anytime you want to fake a vacation glow.

Master the Art of Contouring

Contouring is an easy way to give your face added definition and make it look slimmer. If you have a square or round face, applying bronzer along the sides of your forehead and down each side of your nose will give you a narrower, more oval-shaped look. You can also apply bronzer along your jawline to add definition there. For contouring on a heart-shaped face, use blush instead of bronzer. Apply blush to the hollows of your cheeks and blend it up toward your hairline for a more sculpted appearance.

Wearing makeup can be a fun and creative way to express yourself. It can also give you a boost of confidence when you need it most. When applied correctly, makeup can enhance your natural beauty and help you feel more like yourself.