Because she’s worth it

Use a different layer for each shade of ‘cosmetic’ you apply

01 Choose eye shadow

Open makeup_before.jpg into Photoshop Elements. Go to the Layers Panel, click the Create Adjustment Layer icon and pick Hue/Saturation. Check Colorize, then use the Hue and Saturation sliders to choose a colour for your eye makeup. We’ve gone for a blue with Hue 205, Saturation 56.

02 Paint a mask

Hit Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the layer mask to black. Grab the Brush tool, set colour to black, and paint over the upper part of the eyes to reveal the blue. To fine-tune the shape, switch to the Smudge tool and push the colour around, then use the Blur tool to blur the edges so that it blends in.

03 Add cheek blusher

Lower the Hue/Saturation layer opacity to about 70%. Add a Solid Colour Adjustment Layer. Pick a colour for the blusher, hit Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the layer mask to black, and paint white over the cheeks to reveal the colour. Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light and lower the opacity to 70%.

04 Apply the lipstick

Add a Solid Colour Adjustment Layer and pick a lipstick colour. Hit Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the mask. Paint white to reveal the colour. Switch to black, hit 3 for 30% brush opacity and paint around the edges to soften. Change the Blend Mode to Linear Light and drop the layer opacity to 20%.

05 Soften the skin

Highlight the background layer and hit Cmd/Ctrl +J to duplicate it. Go to Filter>Other>High Pass. Set Radius to 9px and hit OK. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, then hit Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the tones. Alt-click the Add Layer Mask icon, and paint white to reveal the softening effect over the skin.

06 Boost the eyes

Add a Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer. Set Brightness 25, Contrast 30. Hit Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert the mask, then paint with white over the irises. Add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer. Set Saturation +30, hold Alt and drag the mask thumbnail from the layer below to copy it over.