Just another makeup tutorial - how I do my makeup for nights out

I've had several ladies and some guys in the last few months ask me for advice on makeup. Especially eye makeup. I've been wearing some kind of makeup since I was 12 thanks to my ex-model & make-up artist mother. I was also a cosmetics & skincare consultant for several years.

Having said that, I like to have at least one or two make-up free days a week, to let my skin breathe. Remember to remove at least eye makeup before bed (face wipes are quick & easy) - I admit I have been guilty of leaving my eye makeup on and it's not a good feeling in the morning.

This is how I do my makeup for nights out, hope it helps!

- apply face moisturiser & eye cream, making sure all absorbed. This gives a good base for your makeup.

- apply foundation with clean fingers, blend blend blend around hairline & chin so you have no line. I also pat it after applying with my fingers so I have no streaks.

- In the palm of your hand, blend 50-50 foundation and concealer. I do this so that it gives a very blended look i.e. you don't have really light under eyes & dark rest of face. PAT on concealer under eyes and on eyelids and any blemishes or red spots with your ring finger, blending thoroughly. I pat a little on my nose too for extra staying power.

- Use large powder brush to apply face powder in a downwards fashion, brushing over entire face to set foundation. Use a powder sponge/puff to lightly pat a little powder under eyes to set concealer. I also brush a little mineral reflective, shimmery powder over cheekbones & under eyes to give that 'luminous' look if you have any.

- apply a light eyeshadow over lid, blending thoroughly. This is the point where I would apply false eyelashes if you want to.

- using one hand to pull skin tight at edge of eyelid, use a steady other hand to apply black eyeliner thickly (pencil or liquid) from inner corner of upper eyelid close to lashes to outer edge, flicking up slightly at outer edge. You can make the flick dramatic like an Amy Winehouse cat-eye, or a little flick. If you're using liquid eyeliner, let dry before next step (I use a hand fan to make it dry quicker!) I then use a cotton tip dipped in face powder to clean up any messies and to create a smooth clean line. If I'm using pencil liner, I also use the tip of an eyeshadow applicator (I use the double-edged ones) to apply black or brown eyeshadow over the line to give a 'smudged' look.

- if I want a very dark smoky eye look, I apply black pencil eyeliner on bottom lashes as well, only on outer corners (about half way) to 'open up' my eyes and give them an almond-shaped look. Smudge with method above (with tip of applicator dipped in dark eyeshadow). Once again, clean up any messies with a cotton tip dipped in face powder or light eyeshadow.

- use flat edged eyeshadow applicator to apply a shimmery eyeshadow in any colour you like above (not over!) your eyeliner on your top lid and in the crease of your eye. Apply a light taupe coloured eyeshadow on brow bone & blend well with your ring finger. At this stage I like to define my eyebrows with a brown eyebrow pencil (brown eyeliner if that's all I've got!) and an eyebrow brush sprayed with a little hairspray to keep hairs in place.

- apply 3 coats (yes, 3!!!) of a budgeproof or waterproof thickening, curling mascara to top lashes, letting dry between coats. Use a back & forth motion on outer eyelashes to make them nice & fluttery :) apply a little mascara on bottom lashes.

- use a medium-sized blush brush to apply a pinky shade of powder blush to apples of cheeks (I smile at myself in the mirror when doing it!) then up & over cheekbones. I apply blush quite liberally at night because of the dimmed light which is different to daylight. If it looks too dark, brush a little face powder over it.

- apply lip gloss or lipliner & lipstick depending on your mood (If I'm using liquid liner just on top lashes I like to use lipstick - tip, apply concealer to lips beforehand for staying power, but if I'm doing the smoky dark eye thing with eye pencil & eyeshadow I just wear lip gloss)

And you're done!

I like to keep my hair simple and low-maintenance. Smooth & straight always looks good, with a pretty headband or hair clip. Or let it dry naturally, twisting hair in your fingers as it dries. Hair serum is my friend.

Yolie xx