Weird and wonderful secret beauty tricks and tips – so good we were tempted to keep them to ourselves…

• Lash out: Don't be afraid to work with two types of mascara for a false lash effect. Make up artists will often use a lengthening mascara first, then a coat of volumising mascara. The effect is totally wow for a big night. If you don't have a volumising mascara but you want high impact lashes, you can use your eyeshadow brush to paint a little face powder on your lashes before applying your mascara - it acts as an instant thickener.
   
• Lighten up: Just because a powder foundation or pressed powder compact comes with a sponge does not mean you have to use it. Applying any powder with a brush gives you a lighter than air finish and can reduce the risk of pushing your makeup around underneath. Try it!
   
• Eyeshadow fallout: if it seems like whenever you apply your eyeshadow you end up with it all over your cheeks, the best way around this is to do your eyes and then apply your foundation. That way you won't ruin your perfect base with grey eyeshadow!
   
• Picture perfect: using a lighter shade of foundation down the centre of your face gives the appearance of standing in perfect light ( even if you're not) AND looks amazing in photos.
   
• Perfectly blended fake tan: after you have applied fake tan and washed your hands, apply moisturiser to your feet, blending up onto the leg slightly. Make sure you get your ankles and between your toes. Do the same to your hands and wrists. The biggest tell tale signs of a fake tan is patching around the hands and feet and this eliminates the problem completely (do your elbows too).
   
• The modern eye: for a young, hot, 'fashion' looking eye in seconds, add a slick of clear gloss to your eye lids for a glassy look. All the cool kids are doing it.

• Big schnoz slimming: to make a wide nose look smaller, apply a lighter shade of foundation directly down the centre of the nose and then bronzer up the sides ever-so-slightly.
   
• Cheeky tint trick: for a more natural looking flush, apply your liquid cheek tint first, and then apply foundation over the top after it has dried. The ultimate no-makeup look that will make others envious.
   
• Pump up the pout: to make lips appear fuller and more pouty, add a touch of highlighter or shimmer to the cupids bow of your top lip.
   
• Create a slimmer chin area: to make the face appear more angular at the jaw line (or less 'chinny') brush bronzer all the way around the jaw line just under the bone. It creates the illusion of shadow.
   
• Perfect hair makes for a perfect day: to set your blow-dry and make it last all day, apply smoothing serum immediately and blast your hair with cool air with your head upside down, and then flick your hair back the right way up and blast again down the hair shaft to smooth down. Try not to brush it after this.
   
• Body gloss: on the topic of hair serum, it makes a wonderful body gloss. Apply it down the centre of the legs and over the collarbone and shoulders to create angles and highlight your best features.
   
• For the healthiest glow out: use a light touch of bronzer around your hairline and then a pink blush on your cheeks. The impact is amazing.
   
• Clump free lower lashes: to avoid clumps on the lower lashes, remove some mascara from the wand with a makeup brush or cotton wool bud and apply gently to the lashes. It will be far more precise than using the wand.
   
• Dragon breath? This is a gross one but to check if you have bad breath, lick the inside of your wrist, wait 15 seconds or so and then sniff it - if it is potent, get yourself a toothbrush, mouthwash or gum ASAP.
   
• Gaps in your brows can be cured: if you have a scar on or in your eyebrow, chances are that the hair won't grow there. Luckily it is still possible to achieve perfect brows with permanent makeup. Trust us, it's not at all as scary as it sounds and the results can be oh-so-natural.
   
• Reduce waxing pain: by taking panadol half an hour before your appointment and never waxing 2 days either side of your period.
   
• Waxing at home: always apply talcum powder (or any powder for that matter - flour will do) to the area before you apply the wax. This will ensure that the wax only grips on to the hair, rather than the skin which can cause irritation and bruising.
   
• To remove excess wax from the skin: hair serum works a treat.
   
• Home hair dye advice: Colour removes colour so if the colour gets on your skin then use a tiny bit of colour to remove it. To avoid getting colour on your skin at all, apply a barrier layer of Vaseline around the hairline and behind the ears.
  
  
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