THE PRODUCTS YOU NEED

Primers

Light reflection is a key feature of many of the HD make-up products available. Primers such as By Terry’s Serum Teint Haute Lumiere (£63.62; spacenk.com) and Dior’s Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Radiance Enhancer (£97) contain pigments that bounce light away from the skin, helping to soften flaws such as wrinkles, spots and dark circles.

Foundation

The mainstay of any HD make-up routine. Gone are the heavy pan-stick bases of Hollywood’s golden age. These days, products use micronised particles that give an ultra-fine texture. Many also boast warmer undertones that help to keep the skin looking healthy, rather than ashen. Both the new Givenchy Photo’Perfexion (£25.45) and Dior Capture Totale High Definition Serum Foundation (£56) follow on from predecessors such as Lancôme Photogenic Lumessence (£26.50) in fusing into a secret second skin on application.

Application

“You can’t just slap on an HD foundation and expect flawless coverage,” says the make-up artist Kay Montano. “There are now good foundations such as Chanel Vitalumière Fluid (£22), which actresses such as Rosamund Pike love, but getting make-up right for HD cameras is still all about the application.” Most make-up artists agree that it is best to use foundation sparingly. “I use it only where it is needed,” Montano says. “Most women only really need it in the day around the nose and where they have redness. They should then use concealer on any spots and a specific under-eye concealer, as you need a different colour and finer products here.”

High-def lashes

Mascara has made a big play for HD-ready status, seeking to magnify lashes without any of the usual clumpiness. “Those with nylon heads, such as some by Max Factor, and those with comb-shaped wands work best,” advises the make-up artist Ashley Ward. The Cargo Blu Ray Mascara (£12, from Sainsbury’s), which was specifically created for high-definition filming, has a tight-toothed comb wand that drags lashes skywards while keeping each one separate. However, there are plenty of other recent lash boosters — notably Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara (£13.21), and Guerlain Le 2 Mascara (£21.53) — that aren’t specific HD make-up items, but do the trick just as well.

Best of the rest

“Apply HD make-up in the best possible light,” Ward says. “Use a magnifying mirror and natural daylight if at all possible.” Don’t overdo Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat. Sadly, the under-eye concealer that most of us use to banish bags can end up giving ghostly white circles when exposed to a flash. Use sparingly, or switch to a peachier version such as Barbara Daly Light Effect Concealer Pen (£5.91; from Tesco). There’s a fine line between dewy and oil slick. Tread it carefully. Montano advises a dusting of loose powder (not pressed, as it is too heavy) for the forehead, nose and chin. “A greasy T zone shows up as white marks when highlighted by a camera flash,” she claims. For mid-event touch-ups, stash a pack of Mac Blot Film (£9.79) in your handbag to stay shine-free.

Eye shadow can seem a toss-up — a more striking effect usually also means more creepy-looking lids. “Use some shadow, but it should have a velvety satin, rather than heavy frost coverage,” de Gunzburg says. “This is also better than matt [coverage]. Go for subtle brown instead of rusty brown, and bluish grey instead of ash grey.” By Terry Preciosity Eye Colour (£45 for a trio; spacenk.com) or Becca Eye Colour Powder Demi Matt (£17; beccacosmetics.com) have the right texture balance.

“Apply eyeliner in between lashes for the most natural result and smudge it,” de Gunzburg says. Try Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes (£9.79) or Ruby & Millie Eye Liner (£9.50), which glide on brilliantly. “Avoid anything too bright pink on the lips as cameras can make it seem bluish,” she adds. “Go for coral tones.” Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Coral Pink (£14.68) is a good natural shade. With blush, switch cool pink for peach: Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Perfectly Peach (£7.49) and Guerlain Terracotta Mineral Flawless Bronzing Powder in Light (£39.50) are health-giving apricot shades.

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