Cold weather, crazy Christmas deadlines and crazier Christmas parties (if you’re lucky) all add up to a less-than-glowing complexion. How to right the wrongs? Our favourite beauty experts let us in on their tricks of the trade – go forth and be gorgeous.
1 Exfoliate, moisturise and apply a good primer
Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Rachael Eckel suggests using a primer containing silica. She explains: ‘This ingredient makes a particularly good base as it boosts your make-up’s staying power, as well as filling in creases and large pores.’
2 Now it’s time for foundation
Apply your foundation with a brush or a sponge, buffing it in to build up coverage. ‘Blend it in with the warmth of your fingertips for a smooth, flawless finish,’ advises beauty expert Hayley Sparkes.
3 Wake up tired eyes
Sparkes recommends using a concealer before a light-reflecting pen. ‘Apply a concealer first, with a small brush that gives precise coverage. Then press lightly with your fingers to warm into the skin and blend. Use the light-reflecting pen close to your tear duct in a little triangle, and take it down the edge of the nose a little.’
4 Set with powder
To complete the flawless look, set your base with a finely milled powder, avoiding the eye area, where it can settle and highlight wrinkles, and cheeks, where you want radiance.
5 Finishing touches
Finally, don’t forget to use a brightening product. ‘Most women miss out this step, but brighteners stop skin looking flat and dull, so are particularly useful for mature skin,’ says Sparkes. ‘You can mix a liquid illuminator with foundation to highlight certain areas – the tops of cheeks, in the cupid’s bow for a fuller lip, and on the brow bone and between eyes to lift and brighten them.’