Want a complexion that looks impeccable and a face that looks happy to be here, every day of the year? Then let's go: brushes at the ready.

Solid cleanser bar and gentle gel in a glass bottle on a stone shelf

First, cleanse your face. Never put make-up on skin that hasn't been cleansed and moisturised. A gentle, soap-free cleanser — foam or gel — suited to your skin is the safest bet, so it doesn't dry you out. Even better: a foaming cleanser. Even if you're in a rush, you'll appreciate how gentle it is and how fresh it smells.

Pink pressed powder blush in an open compact, with a brush beside it

After cleansing comes moisturising. Choose a cream suited to your skin's needs. Oily skin will like a light rebalancing gel; dry skin a generous, deeply hydrating cream. The standout picks? For oily skin, La Roche-Posay's Effaclar mattifying moisturiser. For dry skin, an enveloping cream that pampers deep down, or Decléor Nutri-Délice, which visibly softens.

Young Asian woman tapping concealer under her eye with a fingertip in front of a mirror

Now make-up can begin. The next step depends on your skin. If it's fairly clear and smooth, go straight to foundation. If you have redness, blemishes or uneven patches, apply one of those clever colour-correcting bases that camouflage and brighten. A colour corrector helps, applied in a very thin layer. A green base neutralises redness, a peach base warms a grey complexion, a purple base brightens a tired look. Correct the area that needs it, not the whole face.

Small pot of peach-toned colour corrector on a pale surface
Young woman with glowing skin sitting by a window in winter

The products worth knowing? Colour-correcting bases, chosen according to the effect you want.

Now apply foundation. Choose a shade that matches your natural skin tone, never darker. Foundation isn't there to colour your skin; it evens it out. Colour is the job of blush, which comes later. For now, apply it with a brush, sponge or fingers, whichever you prefer, working from the centre of the face outwards. Great foundations? Mac has excellent options: tinted moisturisers, cream foundation—take your pick. Also worth trying: an excellent foundation applied with a brush for a radiant finish.

Drop of foundation and a damp sponge on a pale surface

If you have a few dark circles to hide, now's the time. Apply concealer—pick a shade that matches your skin, or half a shade lighter, no more. Use your finger to press it in gently, without really spreading it. You can also brighten dark areas, such as the sides of the nose. Too much product highlights exactly what you were trying to hide. The star buys? Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat concealer and Sisley's skincare concealer.

Tube of light concealer on a neutral surface

Foundation applied and blended? Then move on to powder, which gives the complexion a matte, powdered finish. Apply with a brush rather than a puff; the result is lighter and more natural. Choose powder to suit your foundation, and it's usually almost transparent. What to look for? A loose powder that softens skin for hours—a real treat.

Translucent pressed powder in an open compact

The make-up session is nearly over; all that's left is a healthy flush from a powder blush. Choose your shade to go with your foundation, eye and hair colour, or even your outfit: pinkish for blondes, apricot for brunettes, but there's no rule—go with what you fancy. The standout product? A soft, light Chanel blush for that sought-after healthy glow. Place colour on the top of the cheekbone, then sweep up towards the temple. Load the brush barely: better to go over it again than to fix it. And on olive or deeper complexions, be bold with light apricot or terracotta shades—there's no law, only your own taste.

When you're well, you glow. Your cheekbones take on a pretty pink while your face shows no dark circles or greyness—bliss. Unfortunately, your complexion isn't always your ally; it can betray you too. Winter, back-to-back parties and a few too many chocolates and fizzy drinks can, in some people, contribute to blemishes, enlarged pores, tired dark circles and the full exhausted-girl repertoire. In those cases, focus everything on hydration and keep make-up light: light foundation, concealer, a whisper of powder. You gain in naturalness what you lose in coverage. Luckily, make-up has become clever. Really. It camouflages what needs hiding and makes the most of everything else, all while hydrating, mattifying and balancing—a proper professional job.

Cleaned make-up brushes drying on a linen cloth

What it costs

As a rough guide, expect to pay around £10–£20 for a soap-free foaming cleanser from a supermarket or pharmacy, and £15–£40 for a moisturiser suited to your skin type. A colour-correcting base is usually £12–£35 depending on brand, foundation £15–£45, concealer £12–£40, loose powder £8–£35 and blush £10–£45. Prices vary with size, formula and where you buy them. The brands mentioned here are reference points, not obligations: plenty of pharmacies and mid-range brands do the job beautifully. The real expense isn't the product, it's the technique: a decent foundation applied in a thin layer will always look better than a high-end one slapped on too thickly.