The Immaculate Complexion: How to get perfect skin

Counter the harsh effects of winter on your skin and cheat your way to a healthy glow this spring with these quick-fix products

Picture perfect: MAC's beauty look at Alberta Ferretti spring/summer 2014

Wind, rain, chilly conditions, central heating… if it is related to winter, it’s going to make life hard for your skin. We can’t alter the weather, but using make-up’s new techy formulas, we can fake a plump and flawless spring complexion a few months ahead of schedule.

The first step is the base layer of your cosmetics regime. Hourglass’s Veil primer is the best-selling make-up product in the Liberty beauty hall. The weightless formula smooths over lines and minimises pores, giving skin a soft-focus effect. When the chilly winds turn noses and cheeks red, look to newly launched brand Studio 10’s Skin Perfector Palette. This contains a green concealer that tones down redness, while its ultra-fine texture means it won’t turn skin chalky.

Your complexion can appear dull and flat in the winter months, so give it a boost by switching to a foundation that has light-reflecting particles in it. For light coverage, try Jouer’s Luminizing Moisture Tint, which returns dewiness to brow and cheekbones. If it’s fuller coverage you’re after, Lancôme’s new Miracle Air de Teint hides imperfections while feeling super-light. This is down to a formula that incorporates “miracle particles of air”, which stop your skin looking cakey.

Concealer is an essential part of creating a flawless look, and not only does Cover FX have a great range of shades, but its Cream Concealer contains ceramide to smooth wrinkles.

To ensure that tide-marks and smears don’t feature, apply foundations and concealers with a Beautyblender. The ergonomic shape of this sponge means it can get in all the tricky parts of the face, around the nose, under eyes and so forth, to keep everything utterly seamless.

All that is left is to dab a spot of Sisley’s Instant Perfect on cheek and brow bones. This highlighter bestows a gentle glow, while smoothing skin in this fine-line-prone area of the face.

So while the rest of us are still battling winter, your skin is enjoying spring.