Paycheck #1: Highlighter

Your first purchase for a makeup bag makeover will introduce you to the wonders of highlighter. Why is the your first perk-up purchase? Lighting is everything — why do you think movie crews are filled with people who specialize inn it?  A highligher can be applied on your cheekbones, browbones, and nosebone on top of all your other makeup. You can also mix a liquid highlighter (like the Smashbox one here) with your foundation for all-over lighting. They come in different colors, so you can pick one that looks best with your skintone. I've used both the Benefit Watt's Up cream highlighter, which is a champagne hue, and the Smashbox Artificial Light liquid highlighter, which is more of a silver-ish color.

Smashbox Artificial Light, $24.70, Amazon.com

Benefit Watt's Up, $30, BenefitCosmetics.com