Francois Nars, founder and creative director of the company, has just put together a new book, "Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself," and offers these tips for looking great all summer long:

1. Have a professional help you choose the right shade of foundation and concealer.

2. Always prep before applying color cosmetics: skin and eyes with primer, eyes with liner or an appropriate base of powder or cream shadow, and lips with a softening treatment balm.

3. Blend any excess foundation on neck to create a uniform canvas.

4. Lightly apply blush around the hairline, on the temples, along the jaw line and on the tip of the nose, as well as the cheeks, to create a natural look.

5. Less is more. Start with a minimal amount of makeup and build up color or coverage slowly.

6. Use loose powder to soften an effect.

7. Erase small mistakes with a little extra foundation applied with a brush.

8. Lighten lip color by topping it with a light shade of lip gloss.

9. Tweeze eyebrows subtly, if at all.

10. Have some fun! It's only makeup!

Photo: Summer makeup that is "golden but not tanned" was the inspiration for Nars makeup artist Diane Kendal at the Thakoon spring/summer runway show in New York. Photo courtesy of Nars.