Making Tess up for Strictly is so much fun, it’s not like work

AS FANS of Strictly Come Dancing will know, the contestants’ make-up can be pretty extreme. From glittery eyes to bold blusher and even bolder lips, it’s a look that doesn’t always translate to real life.

But there’s one person on Strictly whose make-up always looks both beautiful and wearable – Tess Daly.

The woman responsible for the presenter’s flawless face is Aimee Adams, who’s been working on the show for five years.

“I don’t normally do TV work, I’m more print and advertising, but I agreed to do Strictly with her because I adore Tess,” says Aimee, who is working with Rapid White (she recommends its Rapid White 1 Week Power Teeth Whitening Set, £8.50, Boots).

“My life is easy, because I’ve got a beautiful face who’s my friend. We just have so much fun, it’s not like work.”

Here, Aimee shares some backstage tips from Strictly and the products she swears by...

FIND A FOUNDATION THAT YOU LOVE

“SKIN is the main thing that I really want to look good on TV. When I find something that I really like, I stick with it and I have stuck to the same foundation with Tess – it’s Make Up For Ever Ultra HD.

“It might not work on someone else, but for her it really works.” ■ Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation,

£26.35

(was £31), Debenhams

GO FOR GOLDEN

“TESS and I both love Too Faced, because they do lots of peachy colours. She loves anything bronzey, peachy or golden.”

■ Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Palette, £33.15 (was £39), Debenhams

BLOT A LOT

“THEY’VE discontinued my favourite powder in the world, Cornsilk. That powder is my little secret, and blotting sheets. I’m addicted! Mai Couture, makes highlighter blotting sheets so you can blot it and it leaves just the teeniest bit of powder, I love those.” ■ Mai Couture Highlighter Papier St Barts, £9.30 for 50 sheets, Birchbox

MIX YOUR LIPPIES

“FOR Christmas Day you’ll be seeing a bright red lip on Tess. It’s from Buxom, I love the big fat pencil. On Instagram people are always asking, ‘What lipstick is this?’. Some of them, are discontinued, or I’ve mixed 10 things to get that lip colour.”

■ Buxom PlumpLine Lip Liner Infrared, £15, Cult Beauty

GO EASY ON THE HIGHLIGHTER

“I DON’T mind it if contouring is done subtly, but when I see girls on the Tube where it’s like metallic highlighter, with a brown stripe... I almost want to drop my business card into their lap! But I know it’s a trend, it’s a style and that’s what they want.” ■ Daniel Sandler Watercolour Liquid Blush, £16.50, Cult Beauty ■