The beauty spy: How to use concealers

If you get your concealer right and couple it with this autumn's must-have bronzers (more on them next week), you could drop your foundation. Think of it, ladies - a foundation-free life. All that money saved, and your skin free to breathe at all times.

But you have to get the concealer spot-on (no pun intended). So many women I know are terrified of concealers. They just don't want to go there, because they don't think they can get it right and the whole concept is too scary. Granted, a lot of women get it wrong and end up looking like they've had a fight with a piece of chalk, but there are two simple ways to avoid this.

First, apply concealer with care. Pop several dots of the product on the blemish you want to conceal and then dab it in gently with the pad of your middle finger. Tap, don't rub. Second, pick the right tone. Yellow-toned products for dark circles, orange-based ones for dark skin. Finally, go for one to two shades lighter than your foundation. This is not a product to buy untried; most beauty counters will have testers available, so test them on your neck, or even face if you can.

But which one to go for? The most famous concealer is Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat - apparently one is sold every 20 seconds around the world. It is more of an illuminator than a concealer but I love it for both. I also adore the Clinique Airbrush Concealer 15. Ideal colours for under the eyes - all golden-toned - and the formula is easy to blend. A good option here due to the SPF is the MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35, light and creamy. For your handbag opt for the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer. It is a perfect size to carry around and easy to dab on in an emergency. It looks a bit like a lip gloss so no one will know what you're up to. It also has great staying power. For stubborn spots, try the Korres Wild Rose Concealer. A lovely, dense cream that does a great job of covering as well as lightening. And if you're still sporting that summer tan, try Lancôme La Touche Pro, which has two shades you can mix and match depending on how heavily you hit the beach at the weekend. The best thing I have found for redness is Clinique Redness Solutions, which neutralises redness and soothes irritated skin with probiotics.

If I had to pick one concealer, the out-and-out-winner would be Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit. This will cover anything from broken capillaries to spots to dark circles. Anything to hide, ladies? Not for long...

M loves

AUTOMATIQUE? MAGNIFIQUE!

It's around this time of year that - along with ankle boots and autumnal coloured scarves - we're encouraged to invest in a sea of rich, bold make-up. Not only is the Guerlain Rouge Automatique lipstick the most delightful contraption (it's lid-free, so you can apply the lipstick with one hand - genius!) but its gloriously creamy formula, luminous colour shades and impeccable staying power make it an absolute pleasure to use and look at.

Dh175, available at all major beauty counters across the UAE

3 of the best

Products to help fight your anti-ageing skin enemies

EUCERIN HYALURON- FILLER CONCENTRATE, DH184 (for six ampules) For fine lines: a cocktail of antioxidants that smooth and plump your skin.

STRIVECTIN TIGHTENING AND SCULPTING FACE AND NECK CREAM, DH440 For sagging skin: the latest product from the Strivectin family, this nourishing cream promises to increase skin firmness and improve elasticity for a smoother, more toned face, jawline and neck.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN EYE RENEWAL, DH496 For crow's feet: great for when you need a quick fix, this cooling cream gel focuses on immediate and long-term improvements for reducing dark circles and wrinkles.