No one ever really told me how to do my own make-up.

Unless you count Carmindy from What Not to Wear, which I kind of do.

And that's saying something, because I'm the youngest of two girls. Even our dog was a girl; lucky Dad, right?

So when I jetted off to Los Angeles, there were a couple of first-times in store for me. I'd never been to LA or the P&G studio (which houses Wella, Sebastian and Nioxin), and I'd never had my make-up professionally done for me.

I judged the 2014 Sebastian What's Next Awards alongside one of Sebastian's creative masterminds, Shay Dempsey; last year's WNA winner, Danny Lozada; and a man whom I greatly admire for his fashion genius, designer Christian Siriano.

I was representing MODERN SALON and sitting front-row at the hair show, and I really just wanted to feel like I did all I could to look my absolute best, so some tremendously kind folks in the area put me in touch with Burke Daniels, sweetest man alive and freelance make-up artist in LA.

Burke did make-up for Mariah Carey for quite a while, and he's been in the biz for 14 years, starting with salon make-up brand Trucco and quickly being promoted to the brand's global team. He's also been with MAC Cosmetics. The man is brilliant.

I told Burke that I don't wear much make-up on a day-to-day basis; just concealer for my perpetually purple under-eye area and any blemishes, light eyeliner, mascara, blush, bronzer and powder for the shiny spots. I explained I'd just found my perfect red lipstick (it's been a two-year hunt) and that eyeshadow was for things like my birthday and New Year's Eve. I've never worn foundation or primer in my life. Burke was thrilled!

We discussed what I wanted, which was basically a extra-pretty version of myself worthy of being by some bright stage lights and meeting a lot of awesome people. And that's exactly what he did.

Burke used primer, but no foundation. He didn't want to cover up my freckles, which I wholeheartedly supported. He, too, used concealer for under my eyes. The whole experience was very calming; I felt like I was being painted. It was remarkably soothing.

Three different eyeshadow shades were used—all in the bronze/brown family to make my blue eyes pop—, along with some individually placed eyelashes (not a row), liquid eyeliner, a little bit of filler for my eyebrows, blush, lipstick and lipgloss.

Pro tip: Use a bit of light eyeshadow just under the lower lash line; it should be very close to your skin tone. Because the lashes create a natural shadow under them, this will make sure you look bright and polished instead of sleepy.

A couple highlights from what Burke used:
-NARS lipstick in Vesuvio
-NYX lipstick in Perfect Red
-Valerie Beverly Hills eyeshadow
-Lancôme Paris blush
-Lancôme Paris Juicy Tubes Smoothie Ultra Shiny Lipgloss
-Lancôme Paris mascara

Burke's biggest DOs are concealer and blush. "I think blush is something a lot of people don't do," he says. "It really gives you that life-glow."

Burke's biggest DON'Ts are using the wrong color of foundation—we've all seen people with faces that don't match their necks--and not blending, especially when bronzer is involved. Try to avoid having a big brown streak up your cheekbone, folks!

LIKE THIS? TRY THESE:

SEBASTIAN WNA 2014: Katey-Bug Browne & Heather Rae C.

And the winners are...! Katey-Bug Browne (New Talent) and Heather Rae C. (Professional) won this year's Sebastian What's Next Awards.
Read more

MY FIRST TIME: Essie Gel Manicure

There's a first time for everything! MODERN Editor Lauren Quick tries out the new Essie Gel line.
Read more

Editor's Note: Queen for a Day

This issue of MODERN is dedicated to planning and preparing for “The Big Day”—whether it be her wedding, prom, holiday party or fundraiser, her hair style is the crowning detail of her total look, and she’ll be looking to you, the professional, to make it picture-perfect.
Read more

NovaLash Eyelash Extensions: Before and After

I arrived at The Lash Co. in Houston, which is owned by NovaLash CEO Sophia Navarro. Sophia is known as one of the top eyelash extensionists and educators in the world—and for good reason.
Read more