The other day, I had the opportunity to chat with Jake Bailey, celeb makeup artist for MAX Factor. That’s Jake and me, pictured on the left. Is he not adorbs? This Salt Lake City native learned at the helm of BFD makeup artist for the ages (and my personal favorite of all time), the late Kevyn Aucoin. Jake has worked with such Hollywood notables as Angelina Jolie, Kyra Sedgwick, Katy Perry, Mandy Moore, and Paris Hilton. To name a few.

He shared some tips with a select group of bloggers, two of which are VITAL. Check it:

Use a credit card to avoid lid smears when you zigzag your mascara wand at lashes’ base for volume. Lucky‘s Cristina Mueller does a fantastic job of explaining in detail how he does this. Jake demonstrated his technique using MAX Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara ($11) and the results wowed the crowd.

MAX Factor’s Vivid Impact Lipcolor ($9–my shade is pin-up pink) is truly the best drugstore lipstick I’ve encountered. Ever. I’d list it among my top 3 lipsticks EVER. And that list includes the formulas of far more expensive makeup giants as YSL and Givenchy. The colors and formula were designed in concert with makeup master Pat McGrath (I think if I met her, I’d simply have to BOW or something). It’s so rich and moisturizing, you need no balm beforehand and the color pay-off is unbelievable. Jake’s genius tip is to use this creamy lip formula as a cream blush. I’m only annoyed I didn’t think of it first. Seriously. Put together $9 and invest in some of this.

What makeup tips have changed YOUR lifestyle of late? Share in the comments. Go.