Beauty: Illuminators

Illuminators are a great idea in theory, tricky in practice. They're pearlescent creams, lotions and powders designed to emulate the natural sheen of young, radiant skin. But unless you have your technique down, they can make you look glittery and unnatural, like an 11-year-old who's covered herself in glue and run through a branch of Claire's Accessories. For those over the age of consent, colour choice and restraint are key. Dab over foundation and before powder, only where light would naturally hit smooth skin – brow, cheek and collarbones, a touch on the forehead. Use your middle finger or a foundation brush to keep it from migrating where it's not wanted. Alternatively, smooth a dollop of illuminator underneath your foundation for an overall glow on dull-looking skin. Works wonders on grey, hungover complexions. Choose gold, bronze, peach or pearly white, depending on the darkness of your natural skin tone. Rose, violet and pink are less subtle – gorgeous on cheekbones and clavicles, but a bit Barbarella elsewhere. Illuminators can be brutal on dehydrated skin, making any flaky patches seem a lot worse, so exfoliate first with a hot face cloth or scrub, and follow with a hydrating moisturiser. Here are my top six. Nars Illuminator £21.50, spacenk.co.uk A luxurious cream that's thick enough to target areas such as cheeks and collarbones. If you're pale, go for Copacabana; darker, Orgasm. Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Powder £18, debenhams.com A small wand dispensing a perfect amount on to brows, cheeks and upper lip. St Tropez Skin Illuminator £12, st-tropez.com I love both the Gold and Rose shades for adding a natural but noticeable glow. A tiny bit goes a very long way. Radiant FX Luminescent Powder £30, houseoffraser.co.uk Great for sensitive skins: gives polish without tingle. A lovely, grown-up sheen. Nivea Visage Natural Beauty Radiance Boosting Moisturiser £6.99, boots.com S kincare rather than illuminator, but works brilliantly. Mac Strobe Cream £21.50, maccosmetics.co.uk A classic for a reason. Mix with foundation for a pearly sheen, or blend all over in a hangover crisis.