Put down that trowel!

We've all seen them: women who appear to have applied their make-up in the dark. Smoky eyes that make them look like they have been in a brawl, too-dark lip liner that sits outside their lips and mascara so heavy it's a wonder they can open their eyes.

But how many of us have ever been taught how to apply make-up? Unless you are particularly art-savvy, application techniques might not come naturally.

Quick makeover

It needn't mean spending hours in front of the mirror, says guru Bobbi Brown. "With the right products and knowledge, every woman can achieve a chic look in five minutes."

Dubai-based make-up stylist Kat Sumners says: "It is important to prepare your skin. Skip this process and you will never achieve good results, no matter what expensive foundation and concealer you use."

Sumners recommends cleansing, toning and moisturising before you start applying make-up. "Moisturising is key. If your skin is dry, make-up will look flaky. If you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, look for an oil-free moisturiser. It will make your skin look dewy and fresh."

Then Brown recommends beginning the routine with a concealer. Getting the base right will ensure the skin looks flawless and even and will set off the rest of the make-up.

"Apply the concealer under your eyes to cover dark circles," she says. Brown also suggests that instead of slathering foundation across your face, apply it where needed.

"Use your fingers to spot-apply a foundation stick where the skin needs to be evened out — usually around the nose and the mouth."

Hello to yellow

Choosing the right foundation is essential for a flawless look, Brown says. "Choose a foundation that has a yellowish cast to it. Whether you're pale or dark, you will have some yellow undertone in your complexion. A yellow-based foundation will blend into your skin tone, making it look fresh. Run from any foundation that looks pink or whitish — they can look chalky and old-fashioned."

Now that you have a perfect base, add colour to your cheeks. "While a face that's had concealer, foundation and powder can look even and uniform, it can also look flat. Fix this with blush," Sumners says.

To avoid the scary stripe-of-colour-along-the-cheekbone look, Sumners suggests using a fluffy, round-tipped blusher brush, which should be applied to the apples of the cheeks. "Think a natural flush, rather than highlighting the cheekbone. Blow off the excess powder, smile and apply it to the fleshy parts of the cheeks in a soft, circular motion."

Finish your look with the eyes. "Use a light shadow colour as base on the lids, applying it with a full shadow brush that covers the lids from the lash line to the brow bone. Now apply your chosen colour from the brow bone down to the lash line, covering the inner corner of the eye. Brush all the way up to the brow and make sure the eyelid is covered and the shadow is dense enough," Brown says.

Application techniques and lots of blending are key to great eye colour. But different women have different styles and that reflects in the make-up colour.

Colour combinations

"If you have blue eyes, I recommend a light colour, like taupe, grey or pale heather. For green eyes, moss slate or caramel look great and I love rich tones such as sable, mocha or stone on brown eyes."

Et voila! Add a pop of colour to your lips and mascara on your lashes and you're good to go.

Quick insider tips

 For lashes that look longer, use an eyelash curler.