There is something mesmerising about watching someone else do their make-up. I can’t help but sneak a look when a woman whips out her eyeliner or lippie on the bus, mainly because applying make-up is such a personal ritual that you rarely get the chance to witness (and, possibly, nick) others’ application tricks.

So, it is perhaps unsurprising that viewers of video websites can’t get enough of “how to” make-up clips, on everything from applying blusher on your wedding day to concealing eye bags. One of the most frequently viewed sites on YouTube is Panacea81 (with more than 360,000 hits and 12,000 subscribers – and counting), which shows Geordie Lauren, 26, a trainee make-up artist, recreating various looks in her bedroom (complete with ragged teddies in the background), via a webcam. The most popular is the sultry green eyeshadow look worn by Leona Lewis in her Bleeding Love video. Lauren’s other clips show her deftly applying such effects as sexy bronze eyes and Amy Winehouse’s winged-out eyeliner.

Call me sceptical, but, despite the unassuming setting, there is something about the speed and confidence with which she wields her Mac Shadestick (not to mention the professionally looped music that plays over her videos, or the frequency with which she mentions certain brands) that makes me wonder if her videos are some cunning Noughties marketing ploy. That doesn’t detract from the fact that they offer a multitude of tips on the easy-to-emulate looks that modern women seem to be hankering after.

Lust of the week

Mona di Orio, a disciple of the late, great perfumer Edmond Roudnitska (the nose behind Femme de Rochas and Diorissimo), makes fragrances with impossible-to-ignore, almost mystical qualities. Her latest, Amyitis, inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon, conjures up enchanted forests of wet moss, smoky bark and lush greenery.

£79 for 50ml, from Liberty

Try 3: lipliners

Lipliners have moved on from the dry, chalky offerings of old. Try one of these moist, supple formulas to prevent lipstick bleeding.

Dior Contour Lipliner Pencil, £13.50
This has incredible staying power and comes with a brush for applying lipstick over the top.

Clinique Quickliner for Lips, £10
A retractable liner that gives a precise, velvety contour.

Estée Lauder Lip Shaping Gloss Pencil, £14
As the name suggests, this has a high-shine finish that works well with lipstick and gloss.

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