FAIL-PROOF YOUR FACE

Whether you need to charm his parents or impress in an interview, the right make-up will help seal the deal.

It's a fact. When times are hard, make-up sales go up, especially lipstick. Economists even have a buzz phrase - "the lipstick index" - the more that are sold, the worse the economy. We can't splurge £50 on a dress, so we buy a lippy for an instant new look. According to research by L'Oréal, 88 per cent of women wear make-up to boost confidence*. "Women are being drawn to groomed refinement as a way to offset the chaos of the credit crunch," says psychotherapist Lucy Beresford. We've got the perfect looks - for the scariest events - to leave you looking fabulous and feeling confident.

Keep it simple and flirty for a date

FIRST DATE
WHY: "Flirting starts with the eyes, so make them the focus," says Lucy. "Then recreate the natural changes that take place when you're aroused - rosy cheeks, dewy skin and full lips."

HOW: "Keep make-up natural so he can see your best features," says L'Oréal make-up artist Polly Osmond. Get dewy skin with a tinted moisturiser, such as Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, £34.26 (1), and use a cheek stain like Models Own Lip And Cheek Tint, £6, for a rosy glow. Apply a smoky eye colour, like Elf Duo Eye Shadow Cream in Black Licorice, £1.50, then line upper lashes with Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner, £4.99, flicking out at the corners. With the icy-white Mac Eye Kohl in Fascinating, £10.77, line the inner rim of the bottom lid. "Lips should be full and glossy," says Polly. Finish with a rosy gloss like Bourjois Effet 3D Max in Framboise Ardent, £7.82 (2).

Go neutral to impress a new boss

JOB INTERVIEW
WHY: "If you show externally that you take care of yourself, it says a lot about the pride you take in your work," says Lucy. "But make-up that's too bright may distract your interviewer, so neutral shades are perfect."

HOW: Polly says: "Keep make-up simple and smart. Start with a matte base like L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional High Definition Smoothing Foundation, £15.99." Then sculpt cheekbones with Max Factor Natural Minerals Bronzer in Sun Powder, £11.95 (3). "Keep eyes subtle," advises Polly. A chocolate palette, such as Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Choco-Latte, £21.53, ¿is perfect. Tidy brows with Benefit Speed Brow, £11.50, and finish with the nude Jemma Kidd Ultimate Lipstick Duo in Peggy, £12.72 (4).

Wow the in-laws with an understated look

MEET THE PARENTS
WHY: "When there's a lot at stake, we want everything to be perfect, so don't try any crazy trends," advises Lucy. A fresh, groomed look says enough - his parents want to see that you can take care of yourself, as well as their pride and joy, but going OTT can suggest you're too into yourself.

HOW: "Don't intimidate your future in-laws with too much make-up," advises Polly. "Use a sheer foundation and add a peachy blush." We love Korres Wild Rose Foundation, £20, and Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Barely Buff, £7.33 (5). Keep eyes clean-looking with pastel shades, such as the lilac Miners Eyeshadow Single in Carnival, £3.49, and define lashes with Avon Spectralash Mascara, £10. "Add a hint of pale pink to your lips, like L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Lipstick in Pink 420, £8.99 (6)," says Polly.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GREGORY SCHWAGER, CAMERAPRESS, PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK MAKE-UP: BETTY LOU USING BOBBIE BROWN HAIR: MAX KLEIN MODEL: SILVIA AT PREMIER *SOURCE: L'ORÉAL BEAUTY BAROMETER. LUCY BERESFORD IS A LEADING PSYCHOTHERAPIST WHO WORKED WITH L'ORÉAL ON THE BEAUTY BAROMETER REPORT

STOCKISTS: AVON (AVONSHOP.CO.UK), BENEFIT (BENEFITCOSMETICS.CO.UK), BOURJOIS (NATIONWIDE), CLINIQUE (CLINIQUE.CO.UK), ELF (EYESLIPSFACE.CO.UK), JEMMA KIDD (SPACENK.COM), KORRES (020 7581 6455), LAURA MERCIER (SPACENK.COM), LORÉAL (NATIONWIDE), MAC (MACCOSMETICS.CO.UK), MAX FACTOR (NATIONWIDE), MINERS (MINERS.CO.UK), MODELS OWN (MODELSOWNIT.COM), REVLON (0800 085 2716), RIMMEL (NATIONWIDE)

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