DMV Makeup Tip DO's for A Great Drivers License Photo

At the airport, the Security guy scrutinized my driver's license photo just a bit too long. But afterwards I realized that the photo was taken years ago and it is time for an update. But the dreaded license picture is usually taken after you've been waiting on lines for hours, your feet are hurting, and you haven't had the luxury of "hair & makeup" to glamorize the shot.

Physicians Formula has shared some makeup application tips from celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip, that might soften the blow every time you have to produce ID from your wallet:

TIP #1:Concealer – apply concealer on top of foundation and before you add powder. Use it to disguise broken capillaries, dark circles, pimples and blemishes and to even out skin tone. Joanna likes Physicians Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Concealer Stick with SPF 15. The creamy stick blends easily and evenly. It is a talc-free formula good even for sensitive or break-out prone skin., formulated with 100% pure and gentle mineral extracts. It's available in 4 shades: Soft Yellow (guides dark, under-eye circles), Soft Green (reduces redness), Fair and Light. Price: $6.95

TIP#2:Bronzers – These will help you from being too pale in your photos, but apply it lightly, and just to the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin (all the spots where the sun naturally shines). Joanne likes the Physicians formula bronzers and blushes, because they offer sheer, natural color that looks believable, not "fake-baked."

TIP #3:Lash Curler – your fastest way to wide eyes and a well-rested look. Make sure to use on clean lashes for best results. If you already have mascara on, just comb through lashes first to remove excess product.

TIP #4:Mascara – Black mascara gives you the most definition without having to over apply product (remember, this is for a photo, not just your daily-routine makeup application). Use a lash comb to separate wet lashes.'

TIP #5:Eyeliner – match your eye color to your eyeliner. Browns, gilded bronzes, and wines are great for light eyes and dark eyes can pull off a more dramatic black. Silver and charcoals look best on green and blue eyes; rich browns for blue eyes and plums for green eyes. Pencil offers soft definition but for more precision and drama go with liquid versions. I like the Physicians Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker $6.95 that makes it easy to draw on a line without making a mess, and gives you long wear (up to 24-hours) with a gentle formula that glides on in one stroke.

TIP #6:Blush – Rosy cheeks are an absolute must in a photo, as your bronzer isn't going to eradicate the devastating effects of ugly, DMV lighting. Joanne suggests Physicians Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder Blush $10.95 in an easy, gentle, talc-free formula with minerals such as Mica and Silica (gives your skin a smooth finish). The portable, flow-through brush automatically delivers just the right amount of powder in 6 shades: Pink Glow, Rosy Glow, Blushing Glow, Nude Glow, Natural Glow and Warming Glow.

TIP #7:Lip Gloss – Personally, I think a moistly-matte look is best, but if you can't live without gloss, apply it just the to middle of your lower lip and then rub your lips together so it spreads evenly. Stick to simple colors that compliment your look and go easy on sparkles and glitter. Joanne (and I) suggest Physicians Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Lip Sheen $7.95. has 100% pure mineral pigments without irritating dyes, and a silky, long-lasting color and shine that feels nice, not sticky. Amethyst, Ruby and Sapphire powder offer a luxe, soft focus look to lips that help minimize the appearance of fine lines. The twist-it pen applicator has a silicone, slant-tip applicator lets you precisely place your gloss, even if you're juggling a purse and paperwork at the DMV. There are six shaes: Quartz, Pink Quartz, Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Sunstone and Pink Sapphire.

TIP #8:Powder – loose powder sets all the other products so that even if you're sweating under the less-than-wonderful conditions at the DMV, your complexion will still look shine-free (especially good if your skin is oily). Use the best quality power you can find as the finely milled powders will not settle into fine lines.

*Note from Alison: Also consider your clothing and accessories. It's amazing how "dated" you will look in that photo two years from now (I still shudder at a drivers license photo I once had that showed me with huge glasses worthy of Sir. Elton John that I insisted I had to wear, and a "Farrah-inspired" hairstyle). Avoid overly trendy. Don't overwhelm with large necklaces or overly-dangling earrings. And please, don't forget to SMILE....