The New Make-Up Rules

The New Make-Up Rules. Photo: Getty Images

Rule 1: Make-up is fun:

You know how little girls love to rummage through their mum’s make-up kit and smear lipstick all over their face? Channel that spirit.

"Make-up is easy to play with – if it doesn’t look good you just take it right off," says Lloyd Simmonds, YSL Beauté creative director of make-up.

Spend time at beauty counters or in front of the bathroom mirror.

"Before taking off your make-up, spend five minutes trying something different," says Jane Richardson, international lead make-up stylist for Nars. "What happens if you make your brow more round, or put your blush higher? You’ll get to know your face shape, your products and how to stretch them."

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Rule 2: Take a time out:

"The modern way to wear evening make-up is to leave something out," says Richardson.

"Before you finish your face, do your hair or put your clothes on; dissociate from what you’ve been doing and give yourself a minute to think and literally see yourself in a different light."

Consider your entire appearance ("We often only look at our faces in the mirror, so we only see a little part of how the world sees us.") and ask yourself: do I need to add something, maybe a bolder lip, do I need more mascara or can I skip it entirely?

Now proceed and apply the finishing touches.

"For a night out, play with textures and combine a velvety matt foundation with shimmer on one part of the face," Lloyd Simmonds, YSL Beauté creative director of make-up

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Rule 3: Adjust your attitude:

All the make-up in the world will do nothing without a dose of confidence.

"So many women will put on a bright lipstick and their first instinct is to wipe it off and giggle," says Richardson.

"Most of us don’t want to be seen – except for the younger generation, who love it – but there’s no point hiding because make-up is powerful and you will be noticed."

Cheers to that!