The top makeup tools you need: "You should have foundation and concealer brushes, a powder brush to set your makeup, a blush brush to add a hint of colour on the cheeks and a couple of eyeshadow brushes," says the makeup artist Derek Selby, the North American director for Cover FX cosmetics.

For powders, look for natural hairs like goat, pony and sable. Their suppleness will prevent you from applying too much makeup. Taklon, a top-of-the-line synthetic, is great, too, especially for liquids such as foundation. Replace your brushes when the ferrule (the metal piece) starts coming off the handle and they start losing hairs.

For foundation, choose a large synthetic brush and for concealer, a soft-bristled but firm brush, which will let you both stroke and pat on product. Powder is best applied with a large, soft brush, which will evenly distribute it. Choose a medium-size soft brush for blush. For eyeshadow, look for a round-headed brush to shape and shade eyes; a flat-headed and angled one is best suited for eye lining and shaping and shading brows.