5 Minute Makeup Lessons

Longing to recreate beauty looks and trends but don't have the know-how, let alone the time? Never fear, Beauties! We spoke with Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles (she paints the faces of celebs like Kristen Stewart, Amanda Seyfried, and Eva Mendes) for some expert tips on how to create three looks from the spring/summer 2012 runways. The best part? You can create each one in five minutes!

Brown Smoky Eye

Taupe and caramel smoky eyes were a favorite look at spring/summer shows such as Cushnie et Ochs, Thakoon, and Tory Burch. The look is perfect for everyday, and you only need two shadows to achieve it! "First, curl your lashes. It will really open up your eyes! Then, take a fluffy eye shadow brush and apply a nice solid coat of a matte brown shadow over the whole lid, softly blending up just past the crease," instructs Fiona. To give your peepers a sultry, smoky feel, blend a small amount of shadow onto your lower lash line. To finish, apply a small dab of a lighter, shimmery brown cream shadow to the center of your lid and two coats of mascara to your lashes. The shimmer will reflect the light and open up your eye, and means you don't have to add a darker shadow to the outer corners of your eyes. “If you want a little added va-va-voom, use a touch of brown liner inside the water line,” says Fiona.

Cheekbone Sculpting

Knowing how to contour your cheekbones can be tricky, but it's a great way to make your face look slimmer! There are two ways to create contour, but the trick with both is to blend, blend, blend! "Girls with darker skin should use a foundation that is two to three shades darker than their skin color—just make sure that the color isn't too orange,” advises Fiona. If you're fair, use a bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your skin tone. Start by applying a tiny amount of your bronzer or foundation just underneath your cheekbones—the point where your finger seems to sit underneath your bone—and blend the shading in well. It’s always best to start with a very small amount, and then add a little extra if you need to. "If you feel like you've overdone the contouring, use a wedge or a brush with a little foundation to take it down a bit,” says Fiona.

Statement Brows

From actress Leighton Meester’s bushy pair to dramatically filled-in arches at the Altuzarra and Tracy Reese shows, bold brows are big right now. "The key is to use short, feathery strokes with a brow pencil, as you just want to add a little width and length," says Fiona. Avoid using a powder, which can make your brows look heavy and fake and don't try to go too much thicker than your natural brow. “To keep the look as natural and believable as possible, just add a few rows of hairs into your brows—but never outside the actual shape!" says Fiona. It’s also a good idea to start filling in a little of one brow, then switch to work the other. It will ensure that both are even! To keep hairs in place and add more structure to your shape, brush brows up with a brow gel.

  Fiona Stiles is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist who has been in the biz for more than 10 years. She has painted the faces of Hollywood stars such as Reese Witherspoon, Eva Mendes, Kristen Stewart, and Halle Berry, worked on numerous magazine shoots and covers, and is world renowned for her impeccable work. Follow her on Twitter @fionastiles for exciting beauty tips and tricks.