From pillow to perfect - 25 tips to flawlessness

Clockwise from L: Lancome April in Paris Eye Colour, L'Oreal Mauve Amour Kiss Proof Lipstick, Clarins Hydra-Care Mask, Lancome 275 Juicy Wear Lip Duo, Chanel Illuminating Makeup Base, MAC Studio Fix, L'Oreal Double Extension Mascara, MAC Corn Shadestick

1. Wake up gorgeous

Go to sleep in a facial mask that you can leave on, and when you wake up in the morning you'll look as good as it gets. Clarins Thirst Quenching Hydra-Care Mask ($68) is a moisture bath that relieves dryness, tightness and dehydration as it softens and comforts.

2. Swap shine for glow

Radiance is in, shine is not. Lancome Pure Focus T Zone ($60) keeps skin matte. Use it over foundation instead of powder.

3. Spritz on moisturiser

You can't get quicker than an all-over moisturising spray. Decleor Softening Body Oil Spray ($65 from selected beauty therapists), contains plant oils that leave skin silky smooth and smelling like a milky parfait.

4. Lip express

For lips that last the day, try Lancome Juicy Wear Ultra-Lasting Full Color & Shine Lip Duo ($60), a matching lip colour and gloss set. If you prefer less shine, L'Oreal Invincible Kiss Proof Extreme Hold Zero Trace Lipstick ($27.95) settles to a matte finish and won't budge.

5. Cheat your beauty sleep

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm ($68) is a quick booster designed to deep treat and nourish skin instantly. You'll look radiant and healthy.

6. Get glowing

Bronzing powders wake up tired skin. Or try Chanel Illuminating Make Up Base ($81), a non-oily, gel-like textured primer that adds a luminous glow. An added bonus is that it holds your makeup in place. M.A.C Strobe Cream ($65), worn on its own or under or over your foundation, creates the kind of glow you admire on young skins.

7. Foundation in a flash

Well-moisturised skin makes applying foundation easier. Or try liquid foundations and mousse formulas, which slick on quickly and keep things sheer. Bobbi Brown Smooth Skin Foundation ($77) creates an airbrushed effect in no time, and comes in 16 shades to suit every skin under the sun.

8. Simplify your choices

Eyeshadow compacts offering two or three compatible colours make it easier to perfect light and dark shading, and take the guesswork out of choosing colour combinations. Use the lightest shade for highlighting, the darkest shade for contouring and shading, and the colour to finish off. At the moment, we love DuWop Brown Eyes compact ($60 from Glamorpuss), Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow, colour Impeccable Greys Grey Matters ($14.50). Blue and grey eyes look great in soft pinks, deep mauves and blues; green eyes suit mauves, plums, taupe and moss green; brown eyes look great with gold, browns, taupe, mushroom and greens.

9. Look to your lashes

Longer, fuller lashes mean your face will need little more than a slick of gloss on the lips and a rub of colour on the cheeks for a natural day look. Try Yves Saint Laurent Intense Lengthening Mascara ($59), Chanel Cils A Cils Lash Building Mascara ($57) or L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara ($29.95). Waterproof mascaras won't run and are great if you rely on eye drops to soothe away strain.

10. For a glint in your eye

No matter how much effort you put into hair and makeup, tired and red eyes will spoil the effect. Use eye drops to brighten and soothe them.

11. Iron out the lines

Plump out any fine lines around the eyes with a boost of moisture. La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream ($600) hydrates the fine skin and keeps it supple, so you can keep smiling.

12. Quick sticks

Multi-task with pencils and crayons that work on eyes and lips. We love the M.A.C Shadestick For Eyes ($36), which rolls on a smoky effect in any number of colours.

13. For a perfect pout

Keep your lips moist and in good nick to get the most from lip colour. Try M.A.C Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF15 ($38). It's also a modern way of wearing subtle colour as it doesn't look obvious.

14. Style in 60 seconds

Heat styling your hair offers instant results, but use a hair protectant first. While you wait for the tongs to heat up, comb the product through hair with a large-toothed comb. Then, missing every other section of hair, tong the lengths for a look that hints at a style. Comb through with your fingers and spritz on a light-hold hairspray.

15. Instant curls

If your natural curls are out of shape, dampen hair slightly and apply a little L'Oreal Professionnel Shine Curl-Defining Spray ($23.95 from selected salons). Pin, or leave hair to settle. Once dry, don't brush - just detangle carefully with your fingers.

16. Top-to-toe tips

Do your nails (hands and feet) the night before, but allow enough drying time between coats to avoid sheet creases when you go to bed. A quick-dry nail varnish, such as L'Oreal Jet Set Shine Nail Polish ($12.95) or Maybelline Express Finish Nail Enamel ($11.50), won't stick to your bed linen.

17. Skip the drying

No time to blow-dry? Press out excess water with a fluffy towel (no rubbing), then use a leave-in conditioner to tame the frizz.

18. Bye-bye blotches

Finger-friendly Revlon Age Defying Concealer with Botafirm ($26.95) blends away skin imperfections.

19. Tame the frizz

To tame flyaway bits, Toni & Guy Shine Zone Spray ($24.95) makes hair look shiny, neat and cared for.

20. Dab-on dazzle

Nothing adds a hint of glamour quite like a shimmer powder. We love Yves Saint Laurent Bronzing Powder in Metallic Radiance ($86). Dusting takes a second with a large brush or puff, creating a sun-kissed look across collarbones and down the neck.

21. Miracle touch-ups

M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation ($58), a multi-purpose foundation, touches up, covers dark areas, fixes a glitch and mops up shine. Or try Yves Saint Laurent's magic wand, Radiant Touch ($69), a pump-action dispenser of concealer that brightens and evens out skin tone, especially under eyes and around the base of the nose.

22. Multi-tasking bath

If you're about to get in the tub, section dry hair on to large rollers - the steam will create lift and help to set the hair. Leave to cool down while you dress, then release when you're ready to go. Spritz with hairspray to set it and for extra volume.

23. Instant fix

When there's no time for washing and blowdrying, revive day-old hair with a few spritzes of Redken Airtight Finishing Spray ($27.95 from salons) or KMS Turnstyle Do-Over Cleansing Spray ($26.95 for 250ml from salons).

24. Make your day

Decleor Fresh Hydrating Facial Mist ($39) is calming, softening and refreshes your makeup all through the day. It contains citrus notes, sweet clover and calming lavender.

25. Before you leave home

Carry only essential items to maintain your makeup when you're out and about. A touching-up tool such as Clinique Superbalanced Compact Makeup SPF20 ($58), lip colour that doubles as a blusher, lip gloss and a purse spray for a fragrant boost. To pat away excess shine, pack Estee Lauder Clear Difference UltiMatte Blotting sheets ($34).