HAND JOB How to use your palms for your gratification

Give complicated applications the finger literally

MIDDLE Use it for: blush

“Tap your finger from temple to cheekbone for a natural flush,” says make-up artist Kelly Thompson. This finger is longer than the rest, so the surrounding fingers won’t get in the way and smudge your blush work.

INDEX Use it for: lip colour

The pad of this easy-to-work-with finger is ideal for dabbing product onto your bottom lip. For extra precision on the top lip, use the smaller surface area of your fingertip (if you don’t have talon-length nails, that is).

THUMB Use it for: eyeshadow

Press each thumb pad into your pigment, then onto opposite eyelids (so the tip of your finger faces the inner corner of your eye), wiggling it to diffuse the colour.

HEEL Use it for: contouring and highlighter

It’s like a face-defining stencil. Apply bronzer along the heel, and press it into the cheek hollows. Repeat with highlighter above the cheeks to strobe.

RING Use it for: under-eye concealer

This digit is the hardest to move independently and applies the lightest pressure, so it won’t pull on your delicate eye area.

PINKIE Use it for: inner-eye accents

“Dip the tip into a shimmery shadow or highlighter, and roll it in one motion into inner eye corners,” says Thompson. You’ll instantly look more awake.