FashioNZ pro make-up artist shares some great base make-up tips for women with beautiful pale complexions...

I am a twenty year old English Rose with a very good complexion. I use a blusher and the usual makeup but I would like some kind of face powder, or foundation to make my skin perfect on those nights out!

I have never bought anything like that because I don't really need it... but I want to try it anyway! I want a light natural look. Is foundation too heavy (because I dance a lot and get very hot) so don't want it to clump, or is powder ok to use on its own? Please help!- Brianne

Actresses like Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett come to mind when I think of an English Rose complexion. These women have worked with, rather than against their fair skin and wear the perfect makeup to enhance it. Light skin rarely needs a lot of foundation, as it is usually fine textured and free of pigmentation. You can maintain your porcelain skin with the constant use of a good sunscreen and a light foundation to protect it from the elements.

For a light and natural makeup the obvious choice would be a liquid foundation. This will provide you with a reasonable coverage, while evening out your skin tone. Take care to find a colour that is cool toned, as anything too warm will look orange on a pale complexion. True Match foundation by L'Oreal have several pale shades to choose from, the best being Alabaster, C1. If this looks too light, simply move up to the next number. If you have any blemishes or dark circles to cover, you can keep it simple by selecting a True Match concealer in a shade lighter than your foundation.

If you feel that foundation is simply too much for your skin, the next choice would be a light mineral powder.

L'Oreals new 'Bare Natural' mineral powder has a melt-into-the-skin texture and provides a silky and flawless finish.

Go for the palest shade and simply dust over your entire face, building up extra coverage where you need it. Tinted moisturiser is also a good alternative, as it will provide just a hint of colour and leave your skin with a dewy finish. Bobbi Brown's tinted moisturiser is light and sheer, plus it comes with an SPF15 for extra protection. To absorb any surface oil during the course of the day (or evening) try using MAC blotting papers, they work as a great alternative to powder, leaving your skin with a smooth matte finish.

FashioNZ pro make-up artist