Brushing Up Your Assets

Makeup artist Louise Connor has worked in the film and TV industry for more than a decade, getting famous faces ready for their close-up.

After starting with cosmetics company Estee Lauder, she trained at the Greasepaint School of Stage, TV, Film and Fashion Make-up in London, then freelanced for five years, working with celebrities including Angela Griffin, Fay Ripley and Darcey Bussell.

Louise now works for Sky, making up guests and presenters such as Helen Chamberlain. Here's her advice for getting perfect results yourself at home.

"There is a common misconception that to look good you need to wear a lot of make-up. The reality is less is more. It's what you wear and how you use it.

"It's important to know your facial assets and enhance them - often people end up covering them up.

"If your eyes are your best feature then wear eyeliner and eye shadow that will complement them.

"Always to test the foundation color against your skin before you buy it.

"Don't be afraid to change the style of your make-up to suit the occasion. Wear a more natural look by day and then a stronger, smokier look for the evening."

Top Tips for Preparing Your Face Before Applying Makeup:

• Always thoroughly cleanse and moisturize your face and neck. Drink plenty of water.
• Always protect the skin with a minimum SPF of 15. This helps prevent premature aging. 
• Use a good skin primer such as Mac Prep + Prime Skin. It creates an even surface before applying foundation and helps the make-up stay put. At Sky we use the airbrushing technique which has been developed for High Definition TV and I love it. It gives a clean, natural, flawless finish which means it doesn't reflect the light of the cameras and doesn't show imperfections in the skin. It isn't widely accessible so at home I apply my foundation with a brush for a natural finish. 

Some of My Favorite Products Are:

• Clinique Superfit Make-up, both for in front of the cameras and at home.
• Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-on Illuminator. This concealer is great for under the eyes. 
• Mac Paint Pot. These eye shadows go on creamy but dry to an intense finish. 
• Mac LipGelee which gives a great natural gloss finish. 
• Max Factor Masterpiece. It doesn't clog, which is something than can get picked up by the HD cameras.

Make-up application and the products you use should change as you get older. Skin becomes paler, so the foundation you use needs to match your natural tone.

Avoid heavy coverage and shimmery products as they can accentuate lines. Use a natural-colored lip pencil to prevent lipstick "bleeding".

To flatter skin in summer, I prefer a natural tanned look. Use a tinted moisturizer and a dusting of Mac Bronzer over the top. Apply where the sun would tan the skin so cheek bones, nose and temples but go lightly with a large brush so it looks natural. Then finish with mascara and a soft nude gloss.

Top Tips for Budge-Proof Makeup:

• Never use old products as they dry out and can't be easily applied.
• Change mascara every three months. 
• Invest in high-quality brushes. They make a huge difference when applying make-up. 
• Invest in a quality foundation, concealer and mascara. These are the staple products to ensure a flawless look. Use water-resistant mascara for staying power. 
• When applying foundation, a small amount over eyelids and lips will create a base for the products applied on top, giving a longer-lasting finish.