We recently had the chance to learn a few new tricks from sought-after San Francisco makeup artist Robert Williams, a runway show veteran who’s spent the last three decades working with everyone from Naomi Campbell to Nancy Pelosi and was recently tapped to head up all things beauty at Saks Fifth Avenue’s The Fifth Avenue Club.

During a master class last week with Williams, we played with his favorite products from Chanel, Sisley, La Prairie and Christian Dior, among others. Our favorite item had to be the Diorshow Mascara in noir for making our lashes look like falsies in two seconds flat.

Here are 7 indispensable things we learned:

- Proper cleansing is key. Williams recommends removing makeup with a gentle cleansing milk before moving onto a non-soap cleanser applied to the skin with a soft round brush. 

- A little goes a long way. A small, “pearl-sized” dollop is all you need to use to get the benefit of most eye creams, concealers and moisturizers.

- For seriously dry lips, try a dab of eye cream.

- To reap the maximum benefits from concealer, apply after foundation, not before. If you have blemishes, apply a small amount of powder to them after foundation and before applying concealer using an applicator sponge. Pat gently under the eyes and on the t-zone.

- Blush isn’t just for cheeks. To contour the face, choose a bronze shade and brush on cheeks, as well as along the hairline and on either the side of the nose.

- Angle a pencil from the bottom corner of your nose to the outside corner of your eye. Perfectly-shaped brows will end just wear the pencil crosses the brow.

- For instant lash curling action, hold the mascara wand vertically and apply gently to lash tips using an up-down motion. Presto! No more lash curler necessary.

Want time of your own with Williams? Appointments can be had by calling 415-438-5462.