Dramatic makeup on the runway is inspiring, but few of us have the skills or patience to recreate the looks at home. That's why we were thrilled to get an invitation for a Dior Master Makeup class at Neiman Marcus, led by professional makeup artist Karen Hummel.

Along with 15 other lucky ladies, we watched Karen transform a willing volunteer from regular chick to runway goddess, giving her the trendy bronzed look that's perfect for spring and summer. Then we all got a chance to try doing it ourselves, with expert guidance from the Dior experts -- and mixed results!

Step 1: Skin
As every makeup pro will tell you, it all starts with your skin. Dior skincare expert, Becky Watkins, walked us through the Dior skincare lines, and made sure our volunteer's skin was dewy and smooth. Dior is big on skincare – did you know that they created the first serum back in 1986? Their latest skincare line, L'Or de Vie, has anti-aging and hydrating properties, and we were thrilled to get to try it out.

Pro Tip: Warm up your moisturizer before applying by rubbing it between your fingers.

After moisturizing, Becky finished up the volunteer's prep by applying foundation and concealer. She used AirFlash, the super cool spray liquid to powder foundation, which provided a super smooth finish.

Step 2: Eyes
Next, Karen stepped in. She started with a dark brown waterproof eyeliner pencil to create a smudgy line across the lash line. "Don't be afraid to use your fingers to blend eyeliner – get back to the fun of being a kid," she told the group.

She also used her fingers to apply the incredibly waterproof EyeShow eyeshadow crème, in "Undressed Beige," across the entire lid.

Karen added color and contour using the 5-Colour Eyeshadow palette in "Beige Massai." For this, she used a brush for more control, and reminded us "to always 'tap' before applying!" All of these colors seemed confusing until she directed us to put:

• Peach in the crease
• Burgundy on the ball of the lid (this is the part actually over your eyeball when you close your eyes)
  
• Gold on the lower lash line
• Dark brown on the top lash line

She finished the eyes with mascara. Dior likes to "wardrobe" mascara, meaning layering multiple kinds of mascara. For this look, Karen used DiorShow Black Out Mascara followed by the new DiorShow Iconic Mascara.

Pro Tip: If you have dark circles, add dark color to your lower lashes.

Step 3: Bronzer & Blush
This really pulled the look together. Using a big brush, Karen applied Dior Bronze Original Tan, to add color and contour:

• Under the apples of the cheeks
• At the hairline
• Ear to ear on the jawline, then down neck

She finished with DiorSkin Shimmer Star blush for a rosy glow on the apples of the cheeks.

Pro Tip: A little bronzer down the center of your cleavage gives your bust a visual boost!

Step 4: Lips
Karen explained that peach and coral shades give everyone a soft and natural look, and keep your lips from fighting with your other features for attention. Again, Dior "wardrobed" products, applying the below in the following order:

• Lipstick: Dior Addict Lipcolor -- your color base
  
• Gloss: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss -- another layer of color (try the new Trenchcoat Beige) and shine, plus it tastes good!
  
• Plumper: Dior Addict Lip Maximizer -- gives you fullness by stimulating collagen
  
• Lip Liner: Dior RougeLiner Automatic Lip Liner -- apply last and keep it a shade lighter for a natural look
  

Pro Tip: For the most natural look, put gloss on the back of your hand, warm it up by rubbing gently, and then apply with your finger.

Real Life Wearability:
We have to admit, it involved a lot of makeup, far more than we normally wear. And we can definitely attest to the fact that it really is waterproof (removal took a ton of cleanser and our towels may never fully recover), but we loved all the compliments about how great our skin looked.

Our Verdict:
It was incredibly educational to watch a professional go through all of the steps to create the bronzed look -- and a beauty junkie's dream come true. In terms of doing it ourselves, it's a bit much for every day, but we'll totally bust out some of these products and techniques for our next special occasion!