Newb: Needs Help - Am I trying to cut, bulk, or maintain??

Tzimply_done

This is the first time I'm really trying to figure out the best strategy to get the body I want.
I'm at a BMI of 24, female, and all around moderately in shape.
But I've got just a bit too much fat to show any real muscle definition if I have any. I also want to add muscle.

I can't figure out if that means I should eat under my maintainance level to cut the fat, over it to gain the muscle, or eat at maintainance to do both? Can you gain muscle while eating under, if you boost the protein ratio?

(I also have a general exercise routine with some days focusing more on cardio, some on strength, though I mix it up with both a bit. I also use natural body weight/notweight machines for strength.)