So you want the flawless skin you see on models every time you open a magazine? Even though computers airbrush skin to perfection in photographs, there is a little makeup artist trick I will share with you.

Look at the perfect skin in photos of models you see in magazines. Gone are the pores – visible, enlarged and blocked. Gone too are the fine lines under the eyes. Even dark circles magically disappear in an instant. It is hard for us as the average women to compete with photographic technology like that, but there is hope.

The secret to a flawless complexion?

That lies in a little make-up artist's trick, by preparing your skin for foundation application, with a truly wonder-product called foundation primer.

There are many varieties on the market, available from most cosmetic houses. As a professional make-up artist, my ultimate hero product in this category is the Photo Finish Foundation Primer from SmashBox. For me, there is just no other product like it.

What is a 'primer'?

A primer creates the perfect canvas for foundation application. Wear it alone over moisturised skin for naturally-looking flawless skin, or under foundation to increase the longevity of the foundation.

How to use a complexion primer

Apply one pump-amount onto your fingertips, and smooth over your face, starting on the apples of your cheeks (most visible area for large pores), then your forehead, nose and chin.

Blend any remaining product onto the rest of your face. Then, if you are going out, apply foundation over it, or if you just want to look 'naturally' flawless while taking the day off - wear no foundation at all!