Twenty top beauty tips

These 20 brilliant beauty hints from the experts will have you looking gorgeous from top to toe, writes Shonagh Walker.

MAKE-UP

“Keep two shades of foundation in your make-up case,” advises L’Oreal Paris make-up director, Rae Morris. “Your complexion changes colour slightly from summer to winter, and you will need to swap them, or perhaps even blend them together to get the right shade for the season.”

“Find the right foundation shade for you by checking the colour on your jaw line,” says Avon make-up artist Jillian Dempsey. “It gives you a better read, plus you’ll have seamless coverage.”

“Ensure moisturiser has fully absorbed before applying foundation, so make-up doesn’t ‘slip’ on the skin,” suggests make-up artist Elsa Morgan. “If you’re in a rush, direct the cool air from your hairdryer over your face to speed absorption.”

“For fool-proof blush, pinch your left cheek first,” says Rae Morris. “Check the colour it goes — that is the depth you want your blush, no darker. Then, apply blush to the right cheek, using your left one as a guide.”

“Softer blush works best with age,” advises make-up artist Dale Dorning, CEO of Proof Cosmetics. “Sheer, matt shades are recommended. Avoid shimmer as it will highlight any lines or wrinkles and look garish on mature skins.”

“Use lipstick as a base for blush,” suggests LA-based M.A.C senior artist Tiffany Johnston. “It makes colour last longer. Blend a sheer application over cheeks first and apply a similar shade powder blush over it for a long-lasting look.”

“Don’t smile when applying blush,” warns make-up artist Angie Barton. “Even though it’s a rule we’ve followed for years, it can cause you to apply under cheekbones, which drags your face down. Instead, blend blush just on and slightly above cheekbones, to lift the face.”

Over-plucked eyebrows? “Have a professional brow artist shape what’s left and guide you on growing them back,” advises Carolyn Fox of Fox Salon and Brows in Broadbeach, Queensland. “In the meantime, have them tinted and use a brow filler to mask gaps.”

Don’t be afraid of black eyeliner. “It suits all skin tones and hair colouring,” says M.A.C’s Tiffany Johnston. “Everyone has black pupils, so it draws emphasis to eye colour and makes eyes ‘pop’. For a subtle yet effective look, hide it under the upper eyelashes. Draw it right into the base of the lashes – into the water line under the lid, not on top of the lid. It immediately highlights eyes without looking like you’ve applied too much make-up.”

HAIR

Curly hair misbehaving? “Hydrating shampoo and conditioner will help de-frizz, but take care when styling,” says Jayne Wild from Wild Life Hair in Sydney. “Blot wet hair with paper kitchen towel to absorb water [rubbing with a bath towel will agitate curls]. Use curl-smoothing product before styling and finish with defining cream to encourage shape and shine.”

Too-frequent washing strips hair of the natural oils it needs to remain healthy. “Try a dry shampoo,” advises Anthony Nader, of RAW Hair in Sydney. “Spray it on the roots to absorb oil and dirt, and deliver instant volume, bounce and texture.”

For salon-perfect hair, consider a colour, suggests New York stylist Ted Gibson, who does Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway’s hair. “A great cut and colour complement each other.” Use colour-care products to keep your hair in top condition.

Suffering fly-away hair? “After blow-drying, spray hairspray onto a tissue and wipe it over stray strands for a smooth, sleek finish,” says Pantene expert hair stylist Barney Martin, from Barney Martin Hairdressing in Sydney.

Colouring hair at home is a quick, cheap alternative, but can be fraught with hazards. L’Oreal Paris creative colourist director Christophe Robin advises going only one shade lighter than your natural hair colour, but never darker. “It’s easier to fix mistakes by taking lighter hair darker than it is to lighten a mistake made by going darker.” The golden rule? “Stay close to your natural colour and ensure hair is in great condition before colouring.”

SKIN

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“Never use soap on your skin,” says Liza Curwen-Begg from Huski Day Spa in Falls Creek, Victoria. “It makes the epidermis less receptive to treatment products because it leaves a layer of film on the skin and strips away protective oils. Choose a detergent- and soap-free cleanser. If you must use a bar, make sure it’s pH balanced and maintains hydration.”

“Cleansers with active ingredients, like AHAs or anti-oxidants, can double as facial masks,” hints Dee Davies from the Clear Skin Clinic in Sydney. “Cleanse make-up, then reapply a layer of cleanser and leave for 20 minutes.”

Do you have acne-prone skin? Team at-home skincare with a series of in-salon Omnilux Medical Light Treatments, from $90 each, 1800 808 993. “The treatments combine glycolic or salicylic acid facials with specialised light to stimulate skin’s repair and immune responses, while destroying bacteria,” explains Dee Davies. “We typically see great results with two treatments a week over four weeks.”

Pigmentation can be addressed with Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL), says Lisa Sullivan-Smith from The Clinic, Sydney. “IPL uses broad-spectrum light to selectively destroy brown and red pigments. It’s effective on broken capillaries, mottled skin and pigmentation. Collagen is also remodelled, so skin appears firmer.”

Weekly exfoliation shouldn’t stress skin. “I prefer an enzyme formula as this is gentler,” says Marionne De Candia, spa manager from Rae’s on Watego’s, Bryon Bay.

Pat moisturisers into skin, never rub, advises New York dermatologist Dr Doris Day. “Your product will penetrate better if you gently pat it into the skin using the pads of your fingertips. This is important around the delicate eye area. Rubbing just smears it and doesn’t aid in ingredient penetration.”