Beauty brains/the manual

Genius concealer and armour for your skin

The beauty conversation everyone’s having right now revolves around looking less tired. I could point you in the direction of a fancy facial or a skincare routine, but there is a simpler answer: concealer. A basic-sounding product, it is anything but. In fact, invest in a good one and you’ll never need to wear foundation again. My friends look shocked when I tell them this. ‘Isn’t a concealer a blemish fix?’ they ask. Erm, no. Admittedly, they used to be thick and cakey and known as ‘cover-ups’ for spots. But nowadays they come in nuanced shades (warm, neutral, cool) with clever technology that can diminish dark circles, boost radiance and even ‘anti-age’.

I have a few that I alternate between depending on the state of my skin, which at this point is hanging on to its glow for dear life. This calls for Dior’s new Forever Skin Correct, with its 30 shades and a texture that melts into the curves of your skin, rather than sitting on top. It delivers just the kind of dewy coverage you need when the weather is bleak, which I’m guessing is down to the hydrating floral extracts, while rosehip (a proven natural anti-ager) refines pores with continuous use. I particularly like its feather-light consistency and wide-wand applicator, which I use to dot on to the areas of my face that are prone to blotchiness. Then blend with a make-up sponge in a dabbing motion. You could continue with foundation, but in the interest of maintaining a youthful glow, I prefer to leave the natural flush of my cheeks alone. Tired? Of course I am, but you’d never be able to tell.