Mascara can make a tremendous difference to your look and is the cosmetic product most women say they can’t do without.

Here are a few hints and tips to help you get the most out of your mascara.

Apply in light layers. Three or four coats of thinly applied mascara are much more effective, natural looking  and long-lasting than one thick, clumpy coat.

Go to the edges. Concentrate your mascara on the outside of the eye. This will widen the eyes and draw attention to the curved edges making then more attractive.

Keep lower lashes light. Always use less mascara on the lower lashes to lift the eyes. Too much on the lower lashes can make eyes look droopy.

Look after your lashes. Rub Vaseline, baby oil, or eyelash conditioner into your eyelashes at night, keep your eyes firmly closed for this! This will keep your lashes conditioned and prevent breakage and splitting at the tips.

Stop wiggling! Don’t wiggle your mascara wand around in the mascara tube before you apply, go on you know you do. This introduces air and can cause it to clog and clump. Just dip straight in and out and keep the top on at all other times.

Warm up thick mascara. If your mascara thickens towards the end of a tub place it in a cup of warm water, keeping the lid firmly on, for a few minutes until the mascara thins.

Cosmetics don’t last forever! Once they have been opened bacteria from the air, hands, brushes etc can soon multiply at an alarming rate.

Have you noticed the little symbols like a  pot with an open lid on the labels of most cosmetic products these days?

Written on the pot is a number and the letter M. This number is the number of months the product will keep once it’s been opened. So if the pot symbol says 6 M then after 6 months through the product away.

This is especially important with mascara, eyeliner and other eye products as eye infections can be very unsightly and painful and can even be very serious.

After applying foundation use a soft tissue to gently pat over your face, this will blend your make up and soften the look to help you appear natural without uncovered patches.

Because true mineral make up contains no fillers it gives a long lasting opaque coverage while feeling weightless. This is a particular boon for individuals combating rosacea, as well as those healing after treatment.

Apply moisturisers and eye creams before your foundation. This lessens the probability of creasing as it smooths out lines and wrinkles.

Get rid of your double chin by using a slightly darker shade of powder or foundation under your chin. This will make it appear to recede. Blend well towards the back of the jawline to add definition.

For even coverage apply foundation with a slightly damp sponge to spread the base around your face. Or use a damp foundation brush for the artistic approach!

Always choose a foundation that blends with your natural skin tone and  never try to counteract your skin colour with a cosmetics. Asian skins have an underlying golden base so you need a yellow based foundation. Ruddy complexions are best with an ivory or pink based shade.

Too many foundations for dark and black skins are chalky and ashen. to find the right shade, look for rich colours in a sheer formulation that will allow your natural skin tone to shine through while evening out pigmentation.

In warm, humid weather, skin is prone to producing more oil so change to an oil free formula when the summer comes. oil free and sheer formulations are good, matte, lightweight options that won’t clog pores or leave shine.

If your foundation goes cakey don’t just add more and rub it in, remove with a tissue, working from the jaw and hairline outward with a sweeping motion.

If you skin darkens during the summer, invest in a new darker foundation. Blend them together to cope with the changing  in-between shades, but stick to the same brand so the texture and formula remain the same.

Matte foundation is better for more mature skin as will cover imperfections and control shine without looking over made up.

Light diffusing and light reflecting foundations deflect light away from wrinkles and fine lines and contain micro-pigments that give a smooth finish. They have an instant anti-ageing effect with a subtle glow.

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