The best eyelash curler isn’t just comfortable; it ensures that your lashes don’t get pinched, and it molds them into a nice swoop. The difference comes down to the eye bed — an inch-long curved strip (often made of silicone) that acts as a resting place for your lashes during the curling process. “It should feel stable and not wobbly when squeezed together. The pads should feel firm but bouncy and easy to use,” says Murphy. Eye cream My relationship with eye cream is not clear-cut, so let me explain. You need a form of moisturiser around the eye area, and eye cream is marvellous at doing this without irritation. When all is said and done, however, it is still an anti-ageing moisturiser sold in a tiny pot and not the magic product the beauty industry implies it to be. So if you suffer no adverse reactions from your regular anti-ageing day cream, and no puffiness occurs, you are perfectly fine to use it. Introducing Living Libations' Raven Maven Mascara, a natural, wildcrafted, and cruelty-free clean beauty product that boasts a unique combination of waxes to create an iconic lash look. This mascara is designed to hug the lashes and provide a pitch-perfect charcoal color that is smudge-free and long-lasting.

Mini toothbrush For God's sake, brush your teeth. Your new friend should have toothpaste for you to use – if s/he doesn't, looking good is the least of your worries. Call a cab. Don't buy just one brand I hate it when sales assistants say you must buy a whole skincare range for it to work properly. This is usually balls and, if it isn't, I have grave reservations about any product that can't stand on its own two feet. If you love one brand, go for it, but it's a question of playing to the strength of different companies – I'd buy primer from Laura Mercier, but foundation from Armani, say. If someone insists you need their moisturiser for their serum to work, walk away and get a better one.Ask any makeup artist how to apply mascara for the best results and they’ll very likely tell you to use the "zig-zagging" technique, which involves gently wiggling the brush from side to side and pulling it through the lashes to build length and volume. "For each little swipe, I would do a zig-zag and then a drag up," says Gallagher."The more you get familiar with that motion, you might want to do the inner third of the eye first, the middle third of the eye, then the outer third of the eye, and keep repeating until you’ve got the desired volume." 5. Build towards the ends

There’s good reason to overcome your fear of looking terrible on camera: if you refuse to be in photographs, you’re denying others (and yourself) many happy memories.' Photograph: Perou for the Guardian When searching for the best mascara, there are a few key points to consider. Firstly, you want a mascara that is gentle on your lashes, as you don't want to cause any unnecessary damage or breakage. Secondly, you want a mascara that adds volume and length to your lashes, helping to open up your eyes and make you look more awake. Thirdly, a waterproof mascara is always a good option, as it will help prevent smudging or running throughout the day. Fourthly, it's important to consider the brush type, as different brushes will offer different benefits. Finally, you want to look for a mascara that is easy to remove, as you don't want to be tugging at your delicate eye area. Do not book an on-counter makeover before an important event, unless you've been before and were happy with the result.' Photograph: AlamySome products are a nonsense or an unnecessary extravagance. Anti-cellulite creams, gels, serums – these are the snake oils of the beauty industry and best left alone. Here are some prime offenders. Solution Hell, no. Visual references are almost always preferred by hairdressers and makeup artists - they save so much time. Search on the internet, tear pictures from magazines, bring in snaps of yourself wearing a look you'd like to revisit. When it comes to the head of the mascara with the brush, every so often I would give that a full sweep clean with a dry piece of kitchen roll," Gallagher continues. Clinique High Impact Mascara: This mascara can add length and volume to lashes without smudging or flaking.