Skin deep

How to get that glow

Beautiful skin is a key ingredient in looking great. Here we answer some of the most frequently asked skin-related beauty questions...

Q. I'm prone to spots, what can I do?

A. To keep spots at bay, it's important to cleanse and moisturise your skin morning and night. Also pay attention to your diet. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, wholegrain foods such as brown rice and pasta and live natural yoghurt, and try to drink between eight to ten glasses of water per day. When you do get a break out avoid handling, squeezing or picking spots at all costs -- this will help to prevent any cross-infection. 

Q. I've got bags under my eyes. What can I do to reduce them?

A. Eye bags can be tricky to get rid of permanently, but this simple 'tapping' massage should help. With your middle finger, tap the under-eye area lightly but swiftly, moving from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye and back again. Start as soon as you can: just a minute a day can bring noticeable results.

Q. What can I do about my freckles?

A. You may have been railing against your freckles for years, but visible freckles project an image of youth and freshness. Instead of trying to cover them, why not make a feature of them and let them show through? Rather then wearing an orange blusher and lipstick to match your complexion, try pink tones. If you want to wear a foundation, choose one that is the same colour as your freckles. 

Q. I have a tattoo on my arm and would like to wear a sleeveless dress. How can I cover it up?

A. Let concealer be your friend -- but not just any old concealer will do. You're going to need a thick, medical concealer. Dermablend is the most popular option and is available from specialist chemists.

Ideally you'll need three shades -- one matching your own skin tone, another one shade lighter and a third two tones lighter. Use a concealer brush to apply the matching tone on your tattoo. Be careful not to spread the makeup on surrounding skin -- and stay in the lines. Use the next lightest tone to layer and blend. Finish off with the lightest of the three and set with a powder puff.

Q. My skin is so pale I'm thinking of using a tanning cream. Are they a good idea?

A. Fake tans are a great way to give your skin a sun-kissed glow and are often cheaper than a course of sunbed sessions. But they are not for everyone, particularly if you're very pale (if your foundation shade is ivory), or if you have sensitive skin.

For best results, do a trial run a good couple of months before your wedding. Do a patch test the night before to check the colour. Exfoliate your skin first as you need to create a smooth surface. Spread on the thinnest layer possible so that any mistakes will not be glaring. If you want a darker colour, wait a day then do another application.