To prep like an expert for your next webcam appearance, Cynde Watson, a celebrity makeup artist and co-host of “BeautyShopTV,” which launches this fall, says to stay away from anything that distracts viewers from your message. Here’s how:

Clothing: Keep it simple with vibrant colors, but avoid neon. “Magenta, banana-yellow and pumpkin always look good,” says Watson. “No stark white, black or prints, including checkers and stripes.” Wear clothing that fits and tastefully displays your neck and décolleté.

Hair: Think smooth and classic. Wearing it up or down doesn’t matter as long as it’s not distracting your viewer. Tame big hair with a stylish band. Don’t go drastic, like dying or perming, before your appearance. Take your signature style and groom it to where your face is the focal point.

Makeup: Cameras magnify everything, from freckles to dark circles under the eyes. Look smooth and shine-free by evening out your skin -- neck and décolleté included -- with a foundation that matches your shade. Been in the sun? Use warmer tones. For lipstick, go up one or down two shades from your natural color. No-no’s include glitter, frost and false lashes on ojos, or gloss on labios.

Lighting: Emmy award–winning producer Crystal Whaley says natural sunlight is best. Sit at angles to either side of a window. “Sitting directly in front of the window will create darkness around you,” she says.

Background: “It shouldn’t be busy,” says Watson. “Coordinate your backdrop to compliment the colors you’re wearing.” Sit in your home office, living room or near a bookshelf for business calls.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/claudiobaba

Exfoliate Gently
Many chicas scrub and scrub to remove that layer of dead skin that’s caused by cold temperatures and dry heat indoors. But dermatologists say scrubbing actually dries skin. “Rough exfoliation can cause irritation or harmful tearing of the skin layers,” says Dr. Patricia Wexler, a New York City–based dermatologist. Instead, buff away dull, flaky skin with a mesh bath sponge and a mild or glycolic body wash -- a sugar-based acid that also refines bumpiness. “Bar soaps tend to strip your skin of its natural oils,” says Dr. Marina Peredo, a New York City–based dermatologist. If you prefer bar soap, use one that is made with hydrating ingredients.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Lots of hydration is key for beautiful skin. “Moisturize with a light oil or lotion as soon as you get out of the shower,” says Renee Cobos, a California-based dermatologist. “Let the skin absorb the oil or lotion for a few minutes. Then, pat your skin dry.” Afterward, apply another layer of moisture with an emollient-rich cream.

Pamper Your Pies
Your poor feet get battered with boots and neglected through the long winter months. They need un poco más atención. Soothe rough and super-dry skin on your feet with petroleum jelly, says Dr. Rebecca Baxt, a dermatologist in New Jersey. “It’s the thickest and best type of moisturizer.” Also, try petroleum jelly mixed with Epsom salts to soften feet, elbows and knees.

Get Fuzz-free
Skin isn’t completely smooth without the proper hair removal. If you’ve slacked off on shaving during the winter months, it’s time to get it back into your beauty routine. But don’t do it too frequently, as you’ll irritate your skin. Wait until the hair is long enough to get a close shave.

Jackie Gomez may only be 29 years old, but she is already one of the most sought-after celebrity makeup artists in the industry. When she’s not working with Victoria's Secret Supermodels or Solange Knowles, she’s primping up another one of the prettiest faces in music, film and print.

Born into an artistic family, the Colombiana learned early to use makeup to express herself. “I was intrigued by how a woman could transform her face with lipstick and mascara,” says Gomez.

It was while working as a nanny for the children of a Sony Music Entertainment executive that she realized she had a future in makeup. “I gave my boss a friend’s demo CD and he asked me who had done her makeup for the cover. When I told him I had, he was so impressed. He referred me to assist the top makeup artists his label worked with,” she says.

By age 26, an agency signed her. Today, Gomez’s work also graces the pages of fashion magazines such as Allure and Elle Mexico. Then in 2010, she and her husband, a businessman, launched the beauty agency Top 5 Management.

According to Gomez, persistence and focus are the keys to becoming who you want to be. “You’re often met with people who doubt your talent, but confidence is very important,” she says. “When a celebrity I’m working on gets up from the chair without even looking into the mirror, I know I did a great job.”

“Pastels are really in this spring season,” says Ermahn Ospina, a Los Angeles–based makeup artist who has worked with celebrities like Rosario Dawson, Carla Gugino and Emmanuelle Chriqui. If you hear the word “pastels” and are thinking about Easter-egg shades of safe neutrals, think again. Pastels are packing a serious punch this spring, and the color range is broad enough that every woman can find a new tone to experiment with.

The top five shades to try if you want to update and warm up your color palette are:

1. Shimmery pale blue: Great for eyes. Stick to formulas that have subtle shimmer instead of heavy frost in the formula.

2. Golden-toned green: Think iridescent and bright, like vibrant lime instead of staid forest-green.

3. Medium-pigmented pinks: “Medium” being the key word: Try pops of vivid bubble-gum pink on the eyes, cheeks and lips.

4. Very soft violet: Apply a wash of light opalescent purple on the eyes or lips.

5. Natural nudes: This spring season, nude does not equal boring. Look for velvety peaches, shimmery taupes and glowing bronzes.

Feeling color-shy? Ospina urges those of you who can’t bear to part with your year-round makeup shades to get over your can’t-fail staples by focusing instead on one feature and experimenting with that. “The easiest way for a woman to update her spring makeup look would be to play with lip colors,” advises Ospina. Just changing up your lip gloss will show you the light that color brings to the whole face. Be bold and playful, urges Ospina. It is spring, after all.

You don’t need to spend a fortune or hire a team of professionals to get your favorite celeb’s signature style. Looking like a star is all about confidence and attitude ... and of course, great hair and makeup. Here are some tips to make your skin glow like JLo’s as you arch a perfectly sculpted brow à la Camilla Belle.

JLo’s Glow
No matter what’s going on in her personal life, Jennifer Lopez always looks effortlessly radiant. The key to achieving her fabulous glow is a pared-down makeup palette and lots of shimmery highlights. Think luminous drama and lots of metallics. Go for gold, silver or neutral eye shadows and a soft nude lip color. Complete your look with an all-over luminizer to infuse your skin with a golden sheen.

Nicole’s Boho Glam
With her House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate fashion and accessory lines, we all have a backstage pass to Nicole Richie’s luxurious -- but easygoing and incredibly wearable -- style. Her cool boho look is all about mastering the art of done/undone. Start with a romantic ’do with face-framing tendrils and create foolproof smoldering eyes. Look for a 2-in-1 smoky eye stick that can shade and line, and is smudge proof.

Sofia’s Sexy Cat Eye
Sofia Vergara oozes flirty sex-kitten appeal. You can bring out your inner vixen by using a liquid liner to create a subtle cat-eye. Add a few extra coats of volumizing mascara so everyone takes note when you bat your lashes. Choose a soft pink, glossy lip color if you’re feeling coquettish, or vamp it up with a rich crimson.

Eva’s Ladylike Sophistication
With strong features, a put-together ladylike style and sleek retro waves, Eva Mendes always exudes old-school Hollywood glamour with a thoroughly modern edge. To achieve Eva’s polished perfection, keep your hair in top condition with a deep-moisturizing treatment. Tame the flyaways and get great shine with a smoothing cream.

Camilla’s Killer Brows
Camilla Belle’s fresh, modern style -- bold, perfectly sculpted brows and red lips -- makes her a standout on any red carpet. With careful tweezing and a little strategic eyebrow pencil, you’ll be a standout too. Look for a brow-shaping kit that makes this a snap, even for the tweezing-challenged.

Photo: Getty Images