Firstly, choose the right shade for the time of year.

Just as you have different tones and thicknesses of tights, so should you have various foundations in your beauty bag.

You should be thinking one or two shades lighter than summer right now, and can easily get away with something with a little more coverage, like YSL's Tint Eclat de Soie.

Apply foundation with a brush for best, most even results. And think about mixing in a little illuminating fluid like one from Pout's range, an Armani Fluid Sheer, one of Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfectors or MAC's Strobe Cream. Add a small amount to the foundation that goes all over the face, and then dab on extra above cheekbones and brow bones for total radiance.

Many find applying concealer after foundation best, you can then see exactly what's needed and just brush on sparingly.

Estee Lauder do a great little kit (their Colour Corrector Primer Concealer) that has all those essential touch-up bits in one teeny capsule.

Great design and a nifty gadget. Then dust with powder, lightly.

To control shine, press on BeneFit's Dr Feelgood, a great, clear balm that keeps the skin looking dewy . . . without going any further . . . all day/night.

Touch ups with the product are possible too, without the end result getting cakey . . . much better then lashing on more powder . . . who wants to look like Barbara Cartland?