I may not have been born knowing all there is to know about makeup, but at least I've figured out where to go to get my questions answered.  

Nathan Johnson, celebrity makeup artist and lead makeup artist on Project Runway (secret note to Lifetime and Bravo: Stop fighting! Someone bring this back next season!), shares his tips on five essential makeup items for any woman.

 1. A good angle brush. I love the look of liner smudged at the lash line. A nice firm, tight angle brush will give you the ability to smudge any eyeliner to perfection. Not to mention, with an angle brush, eyeshadow or brow powder can be used to fill in and extend the brow. There is nothing sexier than an eyebrow that has been delicately shaped and extended…it's timeless and romantic!

2. The right concealer/ foundation. I will say it again and again until every woman in America listens to me. When you start with a flawless, natural complexion…you will shine no matter what else you wear.

3. A (not too shiny or sticky) lip gloss. Gloss can just freshen and pull together a face. For those of you who don't want a lot of color, choose a sweet, sheer pink that just refreshes the lips. For those of you that are bolder, the sky is the limit. And keep it in your purse. We all know, glosses are not known for their ability to stay on all day.

4. Mascara. This one doesn't even need an explanation. Lashes are everything. You can apply it just for color, for length, for volume. I love to curl the lashes with the wand. Set the brush on top of your lashes and rotate away from your face. The brush will pull your lashes in and curl them while you apply color. Then, go in from underneath to add a touch more color while you lift them higher. (This is advanced; so don't get frustrated if you fail the first time you try. It's like when you try to cut your own hair in the mirror and you keep moving the scissors in the wrong direction. But, once you get the hang of it, you'll never go back.) Also, pull the outer lashes outward and add a touch more mascara to give that flirty, come-hither look.

5. I guess because of what I said in #1, I am forced to say an eyeliner pencil! This is truly a staple. You can add subtle romance or high drama to the eyes with this one handy little instrument. I love the Sephora slim pencils. They let you draw the thinnest line ever. Or if you want to fatten it up, tilt the pencil and use the edge. And these Sephora ones are only $4! Seriously, buy them in every color!