Ancestry24 Answerit Careers24 Entertainment Fin24 Food24 GoTravel24 Health24 Kalahari.net Mobile News24 Play Property24 Sport24 Weather24 Wheels24 Women24

Hello Sunshine

Got the winter blues? Bring a little happiness back into your life...

Look at me: Marlene le Roux

I realised that I could do more than just compete with normal people...

Book Club | Astrology | News |

Celeb Gossip | Soapbox | Hotties | Series Addicts |

your voice, every day

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.


Ask an expert...


Sponsor Links First for Women Dial Direct Your Homeloans UK Lotto Life Insurance Classified ads Car Rental Best Car Deals Compare Insurance Quotes Life Insurance for Women

Bad make- up habits

Are you undermining your own quest to look your best? Here's how to get rid of those bad habits...

1. Don't sleep on it: It's tempting occasionally to overlook this vital end-of-the-day regime, but every time you don't take off your make-up, you won't use your night cream either. It's a double whammy. Sleeping with your make-up on can clog your pores and cause pimples.

2. Don't hoard it: Make-up does go off, so keep a keen eye (and nose) on your products to make sure they're still usable. Mascara, for instance, smells odd when it's past its use-by date (replace it every six months or so). Other beauty products last for between one and two years.

3. Don't share it: Shared lipsticks can spread viruses such as herpes simplex (cold sores), and shared mascara can pass on conjunctivitis, so it's best to keep your make-up to yourself. And when you're test-driving make-up at a cosmetics counter, always use the disposable applicators provided to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

4. Don't overdo it: If you put on your makeup with a trowel, you'll look like you're under construction. A light touch is what's required – two thin coats of foundation, for instance, are better than one heavy layer. And eyeliner should emphasise your eye shape, not make you look like a panda.

5. Be careful with colour: The colour you use should add dimension or warmth or luminosity, not render you unrecognisable. Unless you're very certain about what you're doing, it's easy to end up as painted as a geisha. Once you're past 30, it's probably wisest to stay away from blues, purples and greens.

Previously published in FAIRLADY, Subscribe now and save