DIY MAKE-UP

ASIDE from TV appearances — when she allows herself to be subjected to thick foundation — Mrs May does all her own make-up.

In the early days, she wore tinted moisturiser, blue-grey eye shadow and red or plum lipstick. The effect, says make-up artist Lina Cameron, was ‘ageing’. ‘She favoured black liner along the lower lashes, which highlighted her under-eye circles.’

Gradually, however, Mrs May has switched to subtler, more sophisticated shades. From around 2010, she started wearing matte foundation. Contouring — probably with highlighter and cream blusher — gives the illusion of a thinner face and erases any hint of jowls.

Her nails are always impeccable — but there are no manicure appointments in her No 10 diary; she still finds time to paint them herself.