A: With mineral formulas, you can do a lot with blending and layering. You might find that using two shades mixed together creates an ideal color for your skin tone, or that you can use a slightly lighter foundation shade and follow with a warming blush to brighten your complexion. Also, pay attention to how much of the product you’re using; you can control the intensity of the shade by how much of the product you’re using, so perhaps a lighter layer will do the trick.

A: Store your brushes on a clean towel or in a brush roll, where they won’t become contaminated with bacteria or particles from other cosmetics – which means don’t just throw them in a drawer in your bathroom or in your makeup bag. Wash the brushes on a regular basis – weekly is a good bet – with a mild shampoo or a cleanser specially designed for brushes.

A: You really shouldn’t mix the pigments; for the best result, you’ll need different brushes for different products. Try a larger brush for loose powder foundation, and a smaller, contoured brush for blush. If you want to use a powder concealer, you’ll also need a small spot-concealing brush for that (although many of the Jane Iredale powders double as concealers). For more information on brushes, see this article: Brush Basics: How to Choose And Use Your Makeup Brushes.

A: Before you start putting any makeup on, use some blotting sheets. Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens will get rid of any oil or shine without ruining your foundation. If you don’t have any, try some toilet paper instead. Next, you can touch up your foundation with a sponge or use concealer on shiny spots. A translucent powder is last – sweep some over eyelids to keep your eye shadow from creasing or rubbing off.