By Mary N. DiZazzo

Cheeks, Eyes and Kissable Lips

Ciao bella,

As time goes by and Mother Nature taps on our door, styles of make-up may change, but the rules for application on the mature gal's mug don't. Less is best.

One fact of aging is the literal fading of features. The cheeks get less rosy, natural lip color fades, eyebrows and lashes thin out. Restore the bloom in your cheeks by experimenting with a cream blush -- soft rosy shades or with warm bronzy tones.

Remember to apply at an angle on your cheekbone, not an apple-like circle. Also, dab temples just above your brow bone for an uplift glow.

Accent your eyes and draw the attention they deserve with these few tricks. First off, a correctly shaped brow with a high arch will visually lift the eyes and give a more youthful appearance. If you brows are sparse and fading, fill them in with a shade blending with your hair color. Fill in brows with feather-like strokes. A dab of concealer above and below the arch will further enhance the brow.

Apply your liner at the outer edge of your eye and moving inward along the lash line. With a brush, blend at the "inner corner" of the eye 'til liner disappears there.

Use black or brown or aubergine which give older eyes a hint of color. For added color we may use a shadow with a sheen rather than frost. Experiment by applying with your fingertips instead of a brush. Now, just a few coats of mascara and you'll be ready for eye contact.

And now for some luscious lip tips. If I'm just running out to do a quick errand, an application of red lipstick adds instant color to my whole face.

Experiment with a few lip-plumping lipsticks. They do work! First hydrate your lips with a lip primer, and then apply color. Line afterwards with a matching lip pencil. Try different colors and don't shy away from vibrant shades. Red lips on a woman in her later years are very beautiful.

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Have you missed any of Mary's columns in the Post-Gazette? Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns on her website www.mary4nails.com. She is a third-generation cosmetologist and owner of Mary for Nails, etc. natural nailcare salon in Andover, and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183. She also sees select clients by appointment in Boston at (617) 742-6881.