Brights: Beauty Spot - Blitz Zits And Tame Tresses

Apr 20 2008 Craig Alexander Wilson

No one is perfect - even the most glam stars suffer beauty bugbears like blemishes, bags and brittle locks. But there are ways to hide them - and I don't mean by putting a bag over your head. My top problem-solvers will blitz zits and tame tresses in no time.

EYES, LIPS AND BROWS: Benefit's She Laq is a magical make-up sealer that will stop your slap sliding off. If you don't have time for touch-ups at work or you are getting ready for an all-nighter, this is for you.

Priced £18.50 from Benefit at Frasers, Debenhams and larger Boots stores.

EYESHADOW CREASING:Colour creasing on lids is a very common complaint. Too Faced's Shadow Insurance is a siliconebased cream you apply before your colour to prevent it creasing or sliding.

It's perfect for loose shadows.

From Boots, £11.

LIP LINES:Smoking and sunbathing cause fine lines around the lip area and, as we know too well, lipstick bleeds into these lines. Prevent this with Virgin Vie's Within Limits, an invisible pencil that acts as a barrier. Line lips with it then apply your lippy. Priced £7 from Virgin Cosmetics stores or mail order on 0845 300 8022. This is perfect for mature ladies and if you like wearing strong colours.

EYE BAGS:Party girls like Kate Moss, right, will welcome Prescriptives' Site Unseen Brightening Concealer. Dot a little of this at the inner corner and under the eye to banish your bags. Use alone or on top of your foundation. Priced £16 from Frasers.

TOP TIP: This is also a great base for lipstick.

SPOTS: Treat spots with Clinique's Clear Blemish Gel.

Simply apply to affected areas after cleansing to reduce redness and soothe pain. Trust me, I know this works. £12 from Clinique counters in Boots and department stores.

BREAK-OUTS:Mass break-outs of acne and blemishes are a bugbear for Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz, left. Dermablend Corrector has better coverage than normal foundations, is water-resistant and lasts up to 16 hours. It's £13 from www.garden.co.uk

FIX YOUR FACE: Apply your slap then spray your face with Clarins' Fix Make-Up. This refreshing spritz sets make-up and revives colour. Its 30ml size makes it perfect for taking on planes for in-flight refreshment. From Boots and department stores, £17.

BAD HAIR:If you are plagued by dry ends and oily roots, stock up on Lee Stafford's Poker Straight Dry Shampoo. Use between washes to revitalise and refresh. I'd recommend this for Amy Winehouse, right, but it's a sheep dip that girl needs. From Boots, £4.99.

FEELING CHEEKY?

I'm always on the look out for great new products and have just come across a very cool little creation. Smashbox's O-Glow Cheek Colour is a silky, clear gel that transforms skin to the shade you would blush naturally. £13.50 from www.qvcuk.com

Craig is proprietor of WILSON AND WILSON Hair and Beauty in Prestwick