Want a flawless, perfect looking skin? Here's how!

To start with you need to choose the right foundation for you ...

Which type of foundation is best suited to your age and skin type?

Tinted moisturisers - these are a combination of moisturiser and foundation. They give light coverage and are really best suited to younger skin or already fairly flawless skin. These are the only foundations that can be blended well using your fingertips.

Liquid foundations- these are the most popular as they are easy to apply and suitable for almost all skins except those that are very dry. At the other end of the spectrum if your skin is very oily, there are oil free and oil controlling formulae available to help keep the shine under control.

Mousse foundations - these have come to the fore more recently, again they can be moisturising however there are lighter varieties available so they can be used by most skin types.

Cream foundations - these are thicker than the liquid foundations, and tend to be moisturising which makes them more suitable for mature and/or dry skin.

Compact foundations - these are often cream to powder formulations, an all in one make up base which you apply in the same way as a liquid or cream for medium coverage and are suitable for most skin types.

Ok, so now you know the type you're looking for ...

What about the colour?

This is the part that seems to put a lot of women off, but it needn't. Try the foundation on the inside of your forearm, the colour of your skin here is very close to the colour of your neck. You should be aiming for a tone that is one shade lighter than your face. Give the foundation you are trying a few minutes to dry and then look at it in natural light, it should be virtually invisible on your inner forearm, see it's simple!

So now you have your correct type and your perfect shade ...

How to apply your foundation

Tinted moisturisers can be applied with fingertips but for the other types of foundation you will need a damp cosmetic sponge and proceed as follows:-

Put a dot of foundation on your forehead and cheeks and a very small amount on your nose.

Using the damp cosmetic sponge blend out from the nose toward the edges of your face, over and out above the eyebrows and then, sweeping out from the nose, across the cheeks down to the ears and also down to the jaw line. By taking the colour from the centre outwards you will achieve a blended look more easily and shouldn't be left with any tell tale "tide lines". Also by using downward strokes you will be following the natural lie of your facial hair making the whole application easier and giving a better finish. Lastly use a gentle touch over the eyelids in preparation for eyeshadow later

Let's be honest, every single one of us has at some time or another found something on our face we would rather hide from the world and for those times, thank heavens for concealers!! They, coupled with foundation and powder, enable you to achieve that perfect skin we all crave.

There are many different varieties of concealer some are sticks, some creams, others tubes and even it even comes in pots. Concealers can be used to hide dark circles when you've had one too many late nights, veins and freckles and of course ... (we all get them sometime!) spots.

Choosing the correct shade

You should choose a colour that is one shade lighter than your foundation, if you choose a shade that is too light you could end up highlighting the problem you are trying to conceal.

How to apply your concealer

As concealers are thicker than foundation it is important to use a fine tipped brush for the most accurate application otherwise you will end up with a pale splodge where you are trying to hide a problem. Dot carefully and blend in gently with the immediately surrounding area.

How to choose and use face powder

Powder helps your make-up stay in place; it sets it, provides a smooth, natural and shine-free finish to your skin, it also helps your make-up stay put through the day and can be retouched at any time to refresh your look.

Face powder comes in two forms:-

Loose powders - these are light as air and easiest to use. They give you the smoothest and most natural of finishes and because they are loose powders they are much less likely to leave "streaky" patches on your skin.

Pressed powders - these are compacted powder and (often) oil together, so can be a bit heavier on the skin making it more difficult to avoid streaks, however pressed powders are ideal and more convenient for touching your skin up in the middle of the day so it is wise to have the same shade as your loose powder in a pressed powder for touching up when you need to refresh your look.

How to apply face powder

Firstly powder should be applied after foundation and concealer but before blusher (unless you use a cream blusher) and eyeshadow.

Use a big, rounded brush (sponges and puffs tend to pick up too much powder). Dab the brush gently into the powder, tap off the excess and then lightly brush it over your face and eyelids using the same strokes you use to apply foundation; going out from the nose toward the edges of your face, over and out above the eyebrows and then, sweeping out from the nose, across the cheeks down to the ears and also down to the jaw line, and passing finally over the eyelids to prepare them for eyeshadow. By using downward strokes on your face you will be following the natural lie of facial hair giving you a better finish.

How to choose and use blusher

You've applied your foundation and your powder and your skin is looking great so now you need to give those cheeks just a little colour and give you a fresh healthy glow.

Blushers come in two basic forms:-

Powder - these are the easiest to use, apply after your foundation and face powder with a big rounded brush. Powders work for all skin types but if your skin is oily powder blusher will last longer than creams or mousses.

Cream or Mousse - these are generally applied with fingertips or sponges over foundation but before face powder.

Choosing the right colour

Aim for a colour that mimics the colour of your cheeks after exercise; remember we're going for a natural healthy glow here.

How to apply your blusher

Powder - Apply after your foundation and face powder. Take a big rounded brush, gently brush over the blusher and tap off the excess before you start to use as it's far easier to apply a little more than it is to take too much off! Gently, flicking your wrist, sweep the brush from the apple of your cheek along the cheekbone out to your hairline, then blend with a downward stroke from the cheekbone, this diffuses the colour to make it more natural and also follows the lie of your facial hair.

Cream or Mousse - Dab a few dots over your cheeks, using fingertips or a moist sponge work from the apple of your cheek along the cheekbone towards the hairline. Blend well for a natural finish. As with powder blusher, you can build more colour with creams and mousses to get the amount you want so go carefully as it is easier to apply more than take too much off!