Skin perfecting tips

Ask any woman of any skin colour if she'd like to perfect the look of her skin and make the most of her features and you'll hear a resounding 'yes'. We asked make-up guru Bobbi Brown to give us her skin-perfecting tips and instructions on how women from all ethnic backgrounds can bring out the beauty in their face.

The basics – for everyone

"While there are differences in what women want when it comes to beauty, I've found all women want their skin to look flawless," says renowned make-up artist, Bobbi Brown. "The good news is that this is totally achievable. And I'm going to let you in on the secret: with the right concealer, foundation and powder, any woman can have beautiful skin.

"Start by making sure your concealer, foundation and powder are yellow-toned. All women, whether very fair or dark, naturally have yellow undertones in their skin," she explains. Here are Bobbi's steps to creating a perfect canvas for a flattering make-up look.

Step 1: Concealer

First, use concealer to help lighten dark under-eye circles. Look for a smooth, creamy formula that's yellow-based and one shade lighter than your skin tone – it can instantly make you look rested.

How to: Prep your skin with a lightweight eye cream to create a receptive base for concealer. Use a concealer brush to apply a generous amount under the eye, up to the lash line, and at the innermost corners. Smooth and blend by gently tapping it with the pads of your fingers. If you still see dark rings, apply a second layer.

What to avoid: Stay away from concealer that's too light, pink or white, and don't use it to cover blemishes. "Concealer is usually lighter than your skin tone, so using it on blemishes will make them stand out," says Bobbi.

Step 2: Foundation

Foundation is the most important tool in your quest for even, perfect-looking skin. Bobbi believes yellow-based foundation looks most natural on most skin tones.

How to: "Start by finding a formula that meets your skin’s needs and your lifestyle," says Bobbi. Test it on the side of your face (not on your hand or arm) and check your reflection in natural light. The right shade will literally disappear into your skin. "Spot-apply foundation just where skin needs to be evened out, using your fingers, a sponge or a foundation brush to blend it into the skin," advises Bobbi.

What to avoid: Bobbi believes pink-toned foundation can look unnatural on most complexions. She also says if you have to apply make-up on your neck to make it match your face, you’re using the wrong shade.

Step 3: Powder

A light dusting of loose powder will fix the concealer and foundation, take away shine and give your make-up staying power. Sheer, pale, yellow-toned powder is the most flattering on all skin tones.

How to: "Look for a powder with a silky, lighter-than-air texture," says Bobbi. Use a mini powder puff or small brush to apply powder over your under-eye concealer. To set foundation, use a powder puff or a large powder brush.

What to avoid: Bobbi says she finds translucent powder actually makes skin look pasty and ashy: “It’s a myth that translucent powder is invisible.” The same holds for purple, pink or green powders designed to ‘correct‘ colour; they don’t look natural.

For more of Bobbi’s tips, see her book, Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty (HarperCollins, 2006).

What's your complexion? We look at make-up tips for Fair, Dark, Olive and Asian skin.