Before the lipstick, eyeshadows, blush, and the falsies, comes the foundation.  So simple, yet so complicated, choosing the right shade and texture can be a daunting task for most of us.  In need of a beauty basics refresher, we turned to Hollywood makeup artist, Mayli Hernandez.  A talented makeup artist and model, Mayli knows what it's like to be both the makeup expert behind the scenes and the face in front of the camera.  Read Mayli's tips for creating a flawless base and click through her slideshow to see what products she recommends and which celebs she highlights as having the best bases in Tinsletown.

What are the first steps in prepping skin for makeup?

Make sure your canvas is completely clean.  If you start off with a clean canvas, your makeup will automatically have a fresh look.  I start off by using Christian Dior Purifying Cleansing Milk, spreading that all over the face, and then use a wipe to cleanse the face.  I then like to use a primer so the foundation can go on smoothly. Then I'm ready to start.