Everyone is chasing ‘second skin’ make-up. This is the secret

When it comes to make-up holy grails, getting a foundation finish that looks like skin is second only to the mastering the perfect smoky eye, and one of the key secrets to achieving this look is using a combination of foundations to create a natural effect.

For seamless coverage, begin with a mattifying primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer ($72) on your nose, chin and forehead to help set your foundation.

In the centre of your face, opt for a creamy, mattifying foundation. One of our favourites is Tom Ford Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Foundation ($150), which creates a polished finish without the flatness of a traditional matte formulation.

For a more blurred finish, choose formulas with serum bases and skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and peptides. Try Dior Forever Clean Matte Foundation ($105), which will give you a medium matte finish and uses hydrating ingredients to control shine and reduce open pores.

When it comes to applying foundation, the warmth of your fingers (make sure they’re clean) will help it to blend into your skin. Start at the centre of your face and work outwards by patting foundation into the sides of your nose and working up and out, onto the tops of your cheeks and under your eyes, blending as you go. For a seamless finishing touch, use a dampened Beautyblender ($36) to buff the foundation into the skin.

French make-up artist and founder of Violette_FR, Violette Serrat, also advises against applying product to the top of the nose. “If your nose is bare,” she says, “it makes it look like you’re not wearing foundation at all, but your skin still looks good.”

With the centre of your face now covered, it’s time to add a luminescent formula such as Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation ($119) around the perimeters to create a soft-focus finish. Then, to help keep this masterpiece in place, try Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Spray, which boasts 16-hour wear ($53).

While we are talking foundation, I have to give a shout-out to my favourite travel-anywhere cushion foundation, Sisley Phyto Blanc Le Cushion ($200), which is great for touch-ups throughout the day.

If you feel naked without a setting powder, try using a small brush to blend it into the areas that need it, rather than swiping it over the entire face. The look you are after is fresh, not caked, for that always-in-style “no-make-up” look.

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What are the nail trends for winter?
As the weather cools, nails will get shorter, while colours will lean towards burgundy, navy, chocolate brown and bottle green.

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