To help you get the most from your makeup and cosmetics we’ve put together this compilation of handy hints and tips. We’ll be adding more in the future, so keep checking. Remember, the real secret to looking great is having the confidence to experiment and the products and patience to recreate what works best for you. You can find all the products we’ve mentioned here at our secure, easy-to-use online store.

Unless you’re blessed with perfect blemish-free skin, concealer is another one of those makeup essentials no handbag should be without. Before using foundation, try applying a little concealer in the area beneath your eye, patting it gently to warm the product and help it spread more easily. Don’t use too little concealer, or the act of applying foundation is likely to remove it. 

Highlighters, especially those with shimmer or glitter, are great for lightening an area of the face you’d like to emphasise. Try highlighting the arch beneath each eyebrow or the apples of your cheeks.

Mascara is one of the true essential ingredients in anyone’s makeup bag, but remember that it doesn’t last forever! Mascara can become contaminated by fluids picked up by your eyelashes from the eyes themselves – that’s why three to four months is about as long as you should keep an individual mascara for. 

If you really want to draw attention to your eyes, try lining the lower eyelash line with a lighter colour than the one you use for the upper eyelash line. The contrast created using this technique adds a little extra drama without being completely over the top. As with lipsticks and nails, experiment with different colours and combinations, and try to remember the styles that suit you best.

If you decide that one of your lipsticks creates a colour that’s too bright, try toning it down by first applying a darker lip liner before you apply the lipstick. Alternatively, you could always use a darker lip-gloss to dull down the bright lip colour beneath it. The key is to have a range of different colours and finishes to experiment with, and then to remember which combinations make you look the most irresistible!

You’ll often see people testing lipstick colours on the back of their hands, but the pad of the thumb is actually the best place to see what a colour will look like once it’s on your lips. Use the back of your hand to see how a colour will compare to your general skin colour.

When you’ve taken the time to paint your nails, you’ll want to keep them looking fabulous. Use a top coat to seal the polish, applying it thinly and evenly but remembering to leave a slight gap around the sidewall and cuticle. 

Beautifully coloured nails can add the finishing touches to your overall look, so remember to give as much thought to nail colour as you would to the colours you put on your face, and try to coordinate the two. Think about the clothes and accessories you’re wearing too.

Bronzing products are the perfect way to look healthy and radiant all year round, without exposing your skin to too much sun. Don’t use bronzers to make you look generally tanned, but do use them to add a sun-kissed look to those facial features that would naturally catch the sun, such as your forehead, nose and cheeks.

You can buy bronzer as pearls, mouse or powder, so why not experiment to see what works best for you? As a starting point, try applying bronzing powder underneath blush, choosing a colour that best suits your natural skin tone.

Having the right tools for the job is the first step on the road to do-it-yourself beauty!  Start by always making sure your makeup pencils are sharpened enough to give you a precise application. Use a sharpener that’s made for the job, but don’t overdo it or you’ll waste precious makeup.

All makeup brushes are not the same! There’s a huge variety of styles and qualities when it comes to makeup brushes, and it’s worth making sure that your kit includes a selection of all the basic brushes you need to create your chosen looks. Using the proper brushes makes makeup application easier, quicker and more likely to produce the stunning end results you deserve. And remember, bouncing around in a makeup bag doesn’t do your brushes any favours, so try to replace damaged or worn brushes.

Great-looking hair is easy with the right products and a little effort, but to get the look you really want, you’ll need the brushes that suit your hair type and desired style. Try using paddle brushes for finishing long hair, thin round brushes for your fringe and larger round brushes for adding volume. 

For fabulous hair on the move, stash a compact hairbrush in your handbag. Tiny fold-out brushes fit into the smallest places and sometimes feature a built-in mirror for added peace of mind in the event of a fashion emergency!