Makeup trends come and go about as often as the Kardashian sisters’ boyfriends. One minute it’s neutral tones, the next it’s bright colors … how are you supposed to keep up? Well, just like the little black dress, classics never die. There are a few basic rules you can follow to make sure your makeup isn’t drawing the wrong kind of attention.

1.    Wear situation-appropriate colors and quantities. Meaning, don’t show up for your 8 a.m. conference meeting in smoky shadow and bright red lipstain. Save it for the company holiday party or Robert Palmer’s next music video. Daywear makeup should typically be more subtle.

2.    Correctly match your foundation to your skin tone. This is the foundation (ha!) of any good makeup regimen. Going too dark or too light means a line around your hair- and jaw line. It should blend to invisibility and give you an even tone rather than an obvious transition between your face and neck.

3.    Don’t abuse – or neglect – your eyebrows. Your eyebrows are a built-in accessory, but one that needs to be maintained. Overtweezing can leave them too sparse (and it’s possible they won’t grow back), but not tweezing at all could leave you looking like Groucho Marx.

4.    Avoid clownish lip liner. Using a dark liner outside of your natural lip line is a cheap way to fake silicone injections, but maybe not the look you’re going for. Using a liner on your lipline in the same shade as your lipstick or gloss after you’ve applied said lipstick/gloss makes all the difference.

5.    Remember to take it off. Leaving your makeup on overnight is a no-no that can lead to clogged pores and dirty pillowcases. Take it off before you use your facial cleanser for maximum results.
Take it from someone who actively participated in the 1990s’ neon mascara fad: These tips are applicable at any age, to any color palette!