'Crayons are a fast way to up the ante if you find yourself with evening plans you hadn't reckoned on. But to imply they are for use only in extremis is to sell them short'

I rely heavily on lip and eye crayons when I'm on the move, or can't be bothered with carrying around lots of makeup. They're a cinch to use, even for the clumsy, take up a tiny amount of space in your handbag (so you can allow yourself several colour options without losing too much real estate) and are a fast way to up the ante if you find yourself with evening plans you hadn't reckoned on.

But to imply crayons are for use only in extremis is to sell them short. A fat stick of colour smudged in easily with your finger gives a soft and lasting look to your makeup. I often use a crayon as eyeliner to give a flattering smoky finish, as opposed to the more defined line of a pencil. Navy, charcoal and bottle green become much more wearable in crayon form.

Satiny lip crayons are also a good way to wear a bold lip without the strong statement of a matt lipstick or the girlishness of gloss, and because of their shape they go on neatly and sharply. Handily, I find they're less prone to melting in the summer than traditionally packaged lipsticks. I adore the Nars Satin crayons pictured above. They're brilliantly bold, creamy and very satisfying in a craft-time-at-playschool kind of way. Here are my favourites.

Nars Satin Lip Pencils, £17.50, narscosmetics.co.uk
Not pencils, but very definitely crayons. I'm wearing Yu here, but I love all of the shimmer-free shades.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, £5.99, superdrug.com
Gives a very natural and pretty look. I love Honey against a heavy, smoky eye.

Models Own Lip-Stix, £5, modelsownit.com
I am in love with this budget brand. Fat sticks of bright colour that leave a moist, comfy finish.

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner, £17, smashbox.co.uk
Yes, I quack on about these eye crayons, but they are perfection. The new shades for autumn are stunning, too.

Topshop Lip Bullet, £8, topshop.com
Not for the faint-hearted, but if you like your lip colour to stand out, Rockabilly and Joyride are fabulous.

Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen, £12.01, pixibeauty.co.uk
Easy-to-wear eye shadows that go on as cream but set like a powder. I wear Gilded Mink and Brun Beam often.

'I've just had my fringe cut back in after two years and it's thoroughly cheering'

Fringes are the easiest way to achieve the excitement of a new hairstyle without losing length. I've just had mine cut back in after two years and it's thoroughly cheering. My hairdresser, Louise Brown at Trevor Sorbie Brighton, is a fringe genius. When I want it to sweep softly to the side (the most flattering shape on round faces), she cuts a full fringe but trims it shorter underneath. By magic, off it strays to one side of its own accord. This time, she's cut a strong, blunt shape instead, adding more hair to make it thicker, then rounded the sides to stop it looking severe (harsh fringes are for the flawless).

I wash my fringe daily (you can do it under the tap in 30 seconds). Drying is what causes people bother, but my trick is easy and foolproof. Massage some styling product into your soaking-wet fringe, then, with the dryer nozzle pointing downwards and using either a bristly brush or fine-toothed comb (anything wider makes your fringe stringy), brush your fringe swiftly from left to right, back and forth. When it's dry, it'll fall perfectly straight and forward-facing. Carry a mini dry shampoo to stop it becoming greasy as it brushes against makeup and skincare. Good salons offer free fringe trims between appointments.

Living Proof Prime Style Extender, £17, uk.spacenk.com
This product is miraculous. It coats the hair in dirt repellent, preventing fringes from getting greasy and stringy.

Kent Finest Comb 7T, £3.99, boots.com
I always carry this with me to reboot my fringe after a blast from the wind.

Mason Pearson Pocket Boar Bristle & Nylon Brush, £37, liberty.co.uk
The perfect fringe-drying brush. Pricey, but lasts a lifetime. Denman does a decent version for a lot less.

Hershesons Clip-In Winge, £30, hershesons.com
A clip-in fringe in lots of natural, realistic colours. A brilliantly easy way to get the look without commitment.

L'Oréal Elnett, from £2.39, johnlewis.com
One last spritz of this keeps everything perfectly in place without  separating the strands.

Batiste On-The-Go Dry Shampoo, £1.50, superdrug.com
If your fringe becomes sweaty, greasy or full of makeup as the day wears on, this will revive it.

'Nowadays, budget brands have raised their game to the point where their brushes sit happily alongside my investment tools'

I'm very serious about my beauty tools. My brushes are mostly pricey, by Laura Mercier, Stila, Suqqu, Japonesque, Mac and Space NK, but I've had many of them for well over a decade and they continue to perform as well as they did when I bought them. But what has changed noticeably since then is the quality of budget tools, which used to be barely usable. The cheap brushes of yore were either too stiff (scratchy and bad for blending) or too soft (wouldn't deposit makeup, offered no control), or flat-bristled and sloppily glued into underweight handles. They were scarcely an improvement on the useless brushes that came free in the makeup compacts I swiftly threw in the bin.

Nowadays, budget brands have raised their game to the point where their brushes sit happily and usefully in my kit alongside my investment tools. At last, many are now domed in shape, an essential feature for natural-looking blusher and eyeshadow application. Handles are nice and heavy, giving effortless control akin to a good kitchen knife (as with knives, brushes, not your hands, should do most of the work: if you're putting in a lot of elbow grease, your tool is wrong). These six budget brush brands have more than earned a place in my kit.

Topshop Makeup Neon Pink Brushes, from £4, topshop.com
Better than the signature black range. Try the smudger, foundation and brow (called "slanted eyeshadow") brushes.

Crown Brushes, from £1.79, crownbrush.co.uk
Crown makes every shape across a wide price range. They wash well and last for years.

Real Techniques, from £6.99, realtechniques.com
A well-priced range from makeup artist Sam Chapman, with brush kits for about £20.

Jackson's Art Watercolour Brushes, from £2.49, jacksonsart.com
Art shops are a brilliant and affordable place to buy makeup brushes. Jackson's sells every imaginable shape. Avoid anything for acrylics: they're too stiff and scratchy.

Eco Tools, from £4.99, boots.com
An eco-friendly, cruelty-free brand at a fair price. I use the deluxe concealer and bamboo eyeshadow brushes a lot.

Models Own, from £4, modelsownit.com
I love these great-looking bargain brushes. Buy the eyeshadow brushes if nothing else, or get a five-brush set for just £10.

'Readers often ask for recommendations for their teenagers, whose skins are changing dramatically. My advice is always to keep it gentle and simple'

Teenage years are an exciting but complex time for beauty. Makeup mistakes and experimentation are a significant rite of passage, at a time when creativity and self-expression are very important, yet self-confidence can be low, especially in relation to skin. Readers often ask for recommendations for their teens, whose skins are changing dramatically at a time when they least want to feel different. My advice is always to keep it gentle and simple, but to introduce a proper skincare routine that will serve them for life.

Cleansing is crucial to shift grease, bacteria and makeup, and to best tackle spottiness (severe teenage acne is not "just part of growing up" – it's worthy of medical attention and can respond well to medication). An alcohol-free wash or lotion is ideal, especially used with a towelling face cloth (clean each morning) to help prevent blackheads. Moisturiser should be similarly simple: oil-free is safest. Scrubs must be gentle. The most common teen mistake is zealously removing every trace of oil, leaving skin parched and frantically pumping out more. A dozen teenage boys and girls have been testing products for me in recent months. These brands came out top.

Freshskin by Elemis, from £6, timetospa.co.uk
Adored by all – the boys appreciated the option of blue packaging. The mattifying moisturiser was a favourite.

Origins Zero Oil and Spot Remover ranges, from £13, origins.co.uk
Not cheap, but very popular and perform well.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit range, from £4.99, boots.com
The oil-free moisturiser was a hit for its smell and feel.

The Body Shop Tea Tree range, from £3, thebodyshop.co.uk
Simple, naturally antiseptic range which smells great. Testers loved the face wash and clearing lotion.

Clarins Daily Energizer range, from £12, clarins.co.uk
Those with unproblematic skin loved it; girls especially rated the cream moisturiser as a makeup base and for its smell.

Simple Oil Balancing range, from £2.12, superdrug.com
Affordable, gentle and effective on oilier types. The scrub went down well and wasn't too harsh.

Coral is an underrated colour – to confine it to 1950s homage is to miss out

I have always felt coral to be an underrated colour, until this summer, when suddenly it's everywhere. Somewhere between orange and pink, coral is a classic choice for retro Mad Men looks – heavy, smoky eyes and matt coral lips – but to confine it to 1950s homage is to miss out. Coral looks cool and modern when you skip eyeshadow altogether and give it top billing on the mouth, and it goes perfectly with all the neon fashion currently in the shops.

I clash bright coral lipstick with hot pink and red clothes, and vice versa, but I'm a diehard matcher of lips and cheeks. Coral lipstick requires coral or peach blusher (just as red/pink lips need rose or pink). Clashing undertones look decidedly Human League and, besides, one of blusher's key tasks is to bridge the transition from eyes to mouth. A sudden colour change jars messily. Don't do coral eyes unless you have very dark colouring, or are pale and happy to look as though in the grip of blepharitis. People avoid coral lipstick on the assumption that it makes teeth appear nicotine-stained, and there is indeed a fine line between a brightening coral and a sickly one.

Go bold and creamy, not demure or sparkly. Frosty peach is truly the end of days.

Lipstick Queen Endless Summer in Stoked(main image), £18, lookfantastic.com
A bright, bold but sheer coral that feels moist and comfy, and flatters all skin tones.

L'Oréal Color Riche Nails in Dating Coral, £3.99, boots.com
A perfect nail polish for those unconvinced by coral on the face. Easy, neat, wide brush application.

Sleek Makeup Blush, £4.99, sleekmakeup.com
Use Coral on dark skins, Life's A Peach on light. Excellent-value blusher with a smooth, streak-free finish.

Liz Earle cream and powder blushers in Coral, £16.50, uk.lizearle.com
Choose powder or cream (I adore the latter). Either way, this is beautiful and natural looking.

Bobbi Brown blush in Coral Pink, £19,johnlewis.com
A former limited edition, this perfect bright coral is back permanently. A sparkle-free pop of colour.

Tom Ford Lip Colour Shine in Frolic, £36, selfridges.com
The ultimate easy summer lipstick. A pinker coral that suits everyone, from light to dark. I wear it constantly.

'Strip lashes are the fastest, most fun way to look glamorous when you feel anything but'

I was recently invited to a dressy work party an hour before kick-off, with no time to go home to change. Stuck in town and wholly unable to justify a new frock, I popped to the Illamasqua counter at Selfridges and bought some false eyelashes, which the saleswoman expertly applied. I felt immediately ready.

It's easy to dismiss strip lashes as silly, but they're the fastest, most fun way to look glamorous when you feel anything but. And they don't need to be obvious – all brands make natural-looking designs as well as the bolder, drag act variety (I favour something between the two).

In terms of application, I feel the same way about falsies as I do about tying a bow tie: they're worn only occasionally but are satisfying skills to have up your sleeve.

Two golden rules of false lash application: you must first cut them to size, trimming from the outside end. A lash strip that's even a tiny bit too long will bump up against the bridge of your nose and peel off. And never attempt to apply lashes when glue is wet. This makes them slip and peel. What you need is an almost dry, tacky finish: think back to Pritt Stick on your fingers. Here are my favourites.

We Are Faux, from£9, wearefaux.com
Excellent selection, from cool and obvious to restrained and subtle. They apply well and stay in shape for several wears.

Illamasqua, from £12, illamasqua.com
A good selection of top-quality lashes. Shop in-store and the on-counter staff will apply them for free.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company,£6, thevintagecosmeticcompany.co.uk
Chef Gizzi Erskine told me about these and I'm indebted. They are easy and affordable.

e.l.f. Individual False Lashes,£1.50, eyeslips face.co.uk
A pretty, natural look for those who don't want to go the whole hog. Glue three or four to your outer lash line only.

Mister Mascara, £9.86 for two pairs, feelunique.com
These last ages and are extremely easy to apply. They come in a protective carry case with tweezers.

Eylure Ready to Wear, £5.35, boots.com
False lashes without the glue – just peel off the backing strip and stick them on. They work extremely well.

The hottest looks on the catwalk and how to copy them

Matt red lips

Where Nina Ricci, Marni (pictured right), Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen.

Why This is the fastest and easiest way to update your look for autumn. Suits all ages, though if you find a satin finish more flattering, just dab on some balm at the end.

How This is not about a sharp, Alexis Carrington Colby-style lipline. The look is altogether softer around the edges. Rub your little finger in matt red, then gently dab or rub it on to lips (blot any balm off first). Kiss a tissue to tone down, then repeat. Looks best with naked lids or neutral, earthy shadows.

WhatPoppy King Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope lipsticks in Brat Pack and Black Tie, £35 each, are perfect. The most covetable makeup items of 2013, these velvety lipsticks come in a collectable case based on New York skyscrapers. Out 21 September; pre-orders are through the roof.

90s Britpop girl

Where Topshop Unique.

Why Hannah Murray's Britpop-inspired look, a big hit at London fashion week, was designed to seem cool and handmade, not sophisticated and expertly applied, so it is a cinch to do yourself. Suits all colourings, if not all ages (older women can still get the look by confining the pastel blue to below the socket line).

How Apply a sheer, light-reflecting tinted moisturiser, concealer and pearly creme blusher. Smudge pale blue, shimmery creme eyeshadow all over the lids, up to the brows and along the lower lash line. Use a medium eyeshadow brush to layer cornflower-blue powder shadow over the top for an extra hit of colour. Skip liner and proceed straight to mascara.

What Makeup artist Hannah's kit was condensed into the Topshop Game On (eyes) and Face (skin, cheeks and lips) palettes, both £12.50. Just add Solstice cornflower and silver shadow duo, £6.

Grungehair

Where Rodarte, Boy by Band of Outsiders, Yves Saint Laurent.

Why Matt, messy hair seems just the thing against the mixed fabrics and textures of autumn clothes. It's relaxed, sexy and easy to style – especially if you have layered hair.

How Apply a golfball-size dose of mousse to damp roots. Remove the nozzle from your hairdryer and blast the roots with your head tipped upside down, until dry. Spritz on texturising or surf spray to the damp length and allow to dry naturally. Refresh the roots between washes with a dry shampoo or hair powder.

What All of these work: Percy & Reed Texturising Spray, £14. L'Oréal Professionnel TecniArt Super Style Heroes Super Dust, £9.75. Umberto Giannini Incredible Body Thickify Volumising Dry Shampoo for Big Hair, £5.49.

1960s

Where Anna Sui, Emilio Pucci, Rag & Bone, Lanvin.

Why Retro sex-kitten flicks never go out of fashion and, once you've mastered the technique, are pretty low-maintenance because no fussy eyeshadow is needed.

How Starting with a matt eyelid (apply primer first if prone to smudging), apply liner from the inner corner of your upper lid to three-quarters across, then stop. Mark a dot on your outer lid, about half a centimetre away from your outer eye, at an angle (I find 10 and two o'clock, according to left or right eye, is about right). Working from the dot inwards, join it with your incomplete line, filling the gap. (Or watch my flicky eyeliner tutorial .) Finish with lashings of black mascara and pale pink lipstick.

What Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £17.50. All are brilliant but Dark Chocolate Ink is my favourite and gives a more flattering finish than black on older skins. I use MAC's 211 pointed liner brush (right), £16.50, to apply it. Lancôme Artliner, £20, is a dense black that gives great flick.

Black nails

Where Oscar de la Renta, Ruffian, Holly Fulton.

Why Wacky neons of summer, begone. This season's nails are in classic shades of black, red, white and natural gloss, minus the nail art. Black is the perfect choice for those looking for simple and elegant with a cool, tough edge.

How Apply a natural base coat and allow to dry, then two coats of black, avoiding the cuticles by painting an imaginary shape of a nail rather than attempting to follow your own. Allow each coat to dry fully before finishing with a high-gloss top coat for longevity.

What Mavala Mini Polish in Black (top right), £4, and Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Black Cab, £2.99, are a brilliant way to get the look without financial commitment, and both last well.

Glittery eyes

Where Chanel, Thakoon, Donna Karan.

Why Because this is our one opportunity to wear glitter all year. And it looks brilliant with chunky knitwear and tweeds, as well as silky eveningwear.

How Using your ring finger or a synthetic-bristled eyeshadow brush, apply a creme eyeshadow to just past your lid's socket line. Before it can set, dab loose glitter in a co-ordinating colour over the top and press firmly. Finally, use a clean finger to blend lightly upwards, so the glitter appears to peter out. Keep lips simple with buff and caramel tones, or simply use lipbalm.

What Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury used MAC Paint Pots, £15, then dabbed on glitter by MAC Pro; Barry M Dazzle Dust (above right), £4.59, is also great. You can go the whole hog à la Chanel by sticking on individual sequins with false eyelash glue.

Drip-dry hair

Where Prada, Balmain, Marni, Christian Dior, Balenciaga.

Why Hair that looks wet. Think 7am commuters who've rushed out of the shower and skipped the blowdry.

How Half-dry your hair, leaving it slightly damp. Section by section, rake though a small blob of wet-look gel, applying from roots to mid-length only. Take a bristle brush and work through the hair to distribute. Ends should look dryer than roots. Brush backwards into a ponytail for a sleek look, or mess up with fingers for a towel‑rubbed appearance.

What TiGi Catwalk Session Series Wet Look Hair Gel, £8.96, will restore your faith in gel. Team with Little Wonder Brush, £4.79, and Redken Control Addict 28 Hairspray, £10.75, as used by Guido Palau to get this look on the Marni catwalk.

Velvety skin

Where Victoria Beckham, Antonio Berardi, Lanvin, Stella McCartney.

Why The moist, dewy skin seen on every catwalk since forever is taking a break. This season is about proper foundation with a veil of mattifying face powder – polished and groomed but still healthy and real-looking. Especially good on the over-30s, as shine can be ageing.

How Choose a medium- to full-coverage foundation and apply with a foundation brush. Tap concealer under eyes to cover dark circles and around the nose where skin may be redder. Load a fat powder brush with loose or pressed powder and sweep over the face, paying close attention to chin, forehead and nose. Makeup as desired.

WhatGiorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation, £39.50, gives full coverage without heaviness. Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup (as used by Gucci Westman at Antonio Berardi), £8.99, is the best budget foundation I've used. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder (left), £22, and Nars Light-Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, £25, both give a matt, velvety finish without being mask‑like.

'It's the ideal lone fragrance for when you'd rather not announce your presence at 50 paces'

I write this in the very happy belief that eau de Cologne is  back. Not that it ever left my dressing table. A very light, citrus and crisp fragrance style, which always reminds me of my great-aunt's ironing pile via French hotels, cologne is a beauty classic that every man and woman should own. Its fresh, fleeting and alcoholic formula makes it the perfect transitional scent for late summer, when heavy winter perfumes are too cloying and we've yet to see whether we'll get an autumn at all.

But cologne isn't confined to one season. Year round, it acts as a wonderful first layer over which to spray a stronger, longer-lasting perfume: the epsilon to an alpha scent such as, say, YSL's Opium.

It is also the ideal lone fragrance for when you'd rather not announce your presence at 50 paces or appear to be trying too hard. It's extremely uplifting stuff, unpretentious and familiar.

I've no time for people who sneer at cologne (it's cheaper than pure perfume, allowing lazy snobs to dismiss it as an inferior product), and I'm buoyed by the emergence of cool new brands such as Atelier Cologne, which seem set on reviving the market. Here are my favourites.

Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli Absolue, £80, selfridges.com
Like an orange grove after a downpour. A spritz on a long, drowsy afternoon is a game-changer.

Chanel Exclusifs Eau de Cologne,£120, Chanel boutiques and Selfridges only
It would be dishonest to pretend this isn't perfect in every way.

4711 Eau de Cologne, £6.49, boots.com
For many, this is the definitive cologne. Born in 1792, its lemon and bergamot scent still smells modern.Thierry Mugler Cologne, £26.35, escentual.com
I've loved this since its launch over a decade ago. Smells like the best Marseille soap, and lasts all day.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay, £39, jomalone.co.uk
I adore this very British blend of juicy fruit and wet, slightly sour herbs.

Acqua di Parma, £50, johnlewis.com
An Italian take on cologne: a little woodier, a tad more sexy, but elegant and wearable on both men and women.

'The process of going organic is a confusing and expensive business. Read labels and brand mission statements carefully before buying into the trend'

By far the most common subject line in my inbox is "new organic skincare range". The market is so near saturation that I fear these brands are the new cupcake businesses: a cultural bandwagon on which it's easy to jump. And having tried many of them, I do feel as though a lot are thinking organic first, efficacy fifth or never.

Industry guidelines don't help. Any product can call itself organic if as little as 1% of its ingredients are certified as organically produced, but there aren't yet any legal regulations in place. General guidelines include ethically harvested crops, environmentally-friendly packaging, no pesticides, GM, parabens and chemical fertilisers, but these aren't enforceable in any real way.

It makes the process of going organic a confusing and expensive business, and I advise anyone to read labels and brand mission statements carefully before buying into the trend; certification from the Soil Association is an excellent start. To mark its Small Changes, Big Difference initiative this month, here are six brands making products that, in my opinion, work very well and have the integrity and commitment I'd expect from anyone making worthy claims.

Pai Skincare, from £7, paiskincare.com
Vegan-friendly, luxurious creams and lotions, all meeting the highest organic standards. I love the cleansers and day cream.

MV Organic, from £32, mvskincare.co.uk
A small, expensive but high-quality new range that includes a wonderful cleansing cream and moisturiser.

Sophyto, from £13, sophyto.co.uk
Vegan-friendly, with no artificial colours, scents or parabens, this British brand's products are fairly priced and a joy to use.

Neal's Yard, from £3, nealsyardremedies.com
In most of the range, 70% of content is organic. When it isn't, it's because the brand won't compromise on effectiveness.

Botanics Organic, from £3.33, boots.com
Prices are great, products pretty reliable and the exact percentage of organic ingredients is clearly displayed.

Orico, from £12, oricolondon.co.uk
Lovely products at a good price. I'm a big fan of the Streetwise range and Little Love for babies, which also suits sensitive-skinned adults.

Sali Hughes gives her expert advice on how to update your skincare and make-up for autumn

Sali Hughes meets beauty legend Bobbi Brown in New Jersey. Bobbi shows Sali how to perfect the classic smoky-eye look

'The joy of smoky eye makeup is that it suits every age, face and eye shape, and looks better as the evening progresses'

Sexy, smudgy, smoky eyes: everyone seems to want them, while mostly feeling that successful application is beyond their capabilities. This must be overcome, because it is one of the more versatile and egalitarian looks. The joy of smoky eye makeup is that it suits every age, face and eye shape, and is one of the few shadow techniques that works just as well on hooded lids, because it doesn't rely on the crease line. It's also fabulous on deep-set eyes and glasses wearers. Uniquely, it looks better as the evening progresses and things get a little more blurred and grimy. (A supermodel once told me that she applied her smoky eyes before bed for the next day. Mildly emetic, certainly, but I took her point.)

This is what you need: an ivory/bone base shadow; a dark, dramatic shadow (anything from bottle green to charcoal grey, navy blue or aubergine); a dark crayon; a soft kohl pencil (the softness is essential for all-important smudging with a finger or cotton bud); and the blackest, sootiest mascara. I always partner this look with a muted lipstick or gloss and blusher, usually a dusky rose or brownie nude.

Here are the six smoke-makers I swear by. Watch my tutorial to see how to use them.

Rimmel Glameyes HD Eye Shadow Quads, £6.99 (out 2 October), superdrug.com
Impressive. Ideal smoky colours, soft, smudgy formulas, all at a great price.

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Crayons, £19, selfridges.com
Über make-up artist famed for her smoky eyes. These are a cinch to use and work brilliantly.

Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Mystere, £38, boots.com
I've accepted evening invites just to take this for another spin. Spectacular, sludgy, autumnal grey-greens.

Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, £22, houseoffraser.co.uk.
Fabulously dense, carbon-black mascara that helps lashes hold their own against shadow.

Smashbox Fade To Black Fade In palette, £32, smashbox.co.uk
Possibly my palette of the year. Seven wonderful shades that give great smoke.

Topshop Kohl in Coal, £4, topshop.com
Smoky eye pencils must be super-soft and densely pigmented: this is both, and is brilliant value, too.

'Mournful nail shades make for fingers that look great wrapped around a huge mug of tea, poking through the holes in a cosy blanket or picking the wrapper off a Quality Street'

Ihave been wearing neon nail polish for most of the summer, which is uncharacteristically chipper of me. When the sludgy grey, taupe and burgundy autumn lacquers arrived from YSL (here in 38 Gris Underground, £18), I felt a sense of calm return. They're right up my street: subdued, soft, muted and all the more chic for it.

The autumn high street is now awash with these mournful nail shades: lacquers the colour of milky tea, dirty rain puddles, wintry red wines and school blazers (such as Essie's Cashmere Bathrobe, £7.99, which is more a lovely, rough grey flannel). They make for fingers that look great wrapped around a huge mug of tea, poking through the holes in a cosy blanket or picking the wrapper off a Quality Street.

As ever, my tip for nail painting is to banish any attempts at colouring in your nail shape neatly. This almost always ends in colour spilling into the cuticles. What you need is to paint the shape of an imaginary nail on to your own. Don't worry if it isn't as big as yours: it looks neater. And apply two or three thin coats: the brush should never be dripping with paint. Always finish with clear top coat and refresh this every other day to stop chipping.

Sali loves… lip balms

Lanolips Banana Balm, £8.99, victoriahealth.com
Medical-grade lanolin is a world away from the grubby, smelly irritant of yore. Beautiful texture, soft sheen, tons of moisture.

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm,£2.99, boots.com
A cheap and cheering stick of moisture that acts like a much more expensive balm. The blue Hydrate version is my current favourite.

Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment,£13, clinique.co.uk
If you have painful, cracked, even bleeding lips, this will fix them in a couple of days. It's peerless.

'I've no idea what they're doing that a great tinted moisturiser doesn't already do many times better'

CC creams are the biggest thing since BB creams, but I can find only one I like (by Clinique, £28). CC stands for colour correcting: the ability to neutralise redness and blend together dark patches to give an even-toned complexion. Those I've tried mainly did an OK job; but, just as with BB creams, I've no idea what exactly they're doing that a great tinted moisturiser by Laura Mercier, Nivea, Becca or Origins doesn't already do many times better.

Many CCs and most BBs tend to leave a flat, dull look to the skin. At their worst, they make your face look as though it has been smeared in Shippam's spread. They rarely cater well for anyone who isn't tanned Caucasian (note to beauty industry: "natural" is an offensive name for such a specific colour) and can be much too greasy for oily skins, while nowhere near moisturising enough for dry.

I do understand that a product that in theory replaces a moisturiser, foundation and sunblock seems very handy, but in reality most are jacks of all trades, masters of none. I've no doubt scientists are already toiling over DD creams to solve a problem we've yet to notice exists. But if CC creams haven't won me over just yet, these three bargain skincare products have.

Sali loves… new skincare

Formula Advanced Illumin-ATP 1 Minute Facial, £15, marksandspencer.com
Massage into dry skin, leave one minute, rinse. Skin is soft, brighter, more awake-looking. It works.

Simple Kind To Skin+ Illuminating Radiance cream,SPF15, £8.99, superdrug.com
Now this is a bargain. Flattering light reflectors, good moisture levels for normal to dry skin, UVA and UVB protection. Gives a great base to makeup.

Superdrug Simply Pure, £1.72-£2.99, superdrug.com
One of my best budget skincare ranges, finally available online. The serum is wonderful on dehydrated skin, oily or dry.

Sali Hughes shares her make-up and skincare tricks and remedies to help refresh and conceal tired skin

Bobbi Brown demonstrates on Sali Hughes how to get the silver-screen starlet look by using red, black and gold tones

'It's sexy and glamorous but smart, powerful and age-appropriate on everyone but the very young'

I have countless red lipsticks, but a classic Hollywood red, the colour of Welsh Guard uniforms and fairytale toadstools, is a makeup staple. It's sexy and glamorous but smart, powerful and age-appropriate on everyone except the very young. It's an instant cheerer-upper. I know the moment I put on red lips, I am basically "done" and ready to do something fun. Anything else is mere detail.

I have a core handful of classic reds I keep on rotation: Chanel's Gabrielle, a chic Parisian red that looks perfect against navy; Bobbi Brown's Old Hollywood (pictured), a semi-matte, studio-era crimson to be worn with party frocks and a cocktail; Nars' Jungle Red, a bright, 1950s scarlet that instantly upscales scruffy outfits; and Mac's Russian Red for a matte, retro Madonna look. All of them look as good on the mouth as they do when pulled out at a cafe table. I never bother with lip brushes: they're always too small and much less satisfying than sweeping on from a lovely tube. I line with a pencil (try 24/7 by Urban Decay) and lick my teeth to stop them picking up colour. The rule is, the paler you are, the more orangey the red should be, but I enjoy breaking it.

Sali loves… foundation

Astalift Light Analysing Moisture Foundation,£29, astalift.co.uk
A flattering medium- to full-coverage finish to Caucasian and Asian skins. Perfect for dull, normal-to-dry skin.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Compact Foundation,£49 (refills at £30), houseoffraser.co.uk
I love this even more than the original liquid version. Very natural medium coverage, silky feel and a great range for all ethnicities.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation SPF15,£32, net-a-porter.com
A light-reflecting medium-coverage foundation that leaves a soft, comfortable, glowy finish. Shades from light to dark.

'All three are a marvel, and this isn't something I say often'

Eyebrows are my favourite feature, but even I struggle to get excited about brow products. It's taken me all year to discover three that can truthfully be described as brilliant, which makes me all the more evangelical about them.

When I first used Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor (£34), I assumed the effects would be obvious and harsh, but the opposite is the case. The retractable crayon has a grooming brush at one end and a slanted calligraphic nib at the other that deposits colour (three options, from blonde to dark brunette) with a light touch: sharp but subtle. It's the most easy-to-use pencil I've ever tried and, though pricey, lasts ages.

Also now indispensable to me is By Terry Eyebrow Mascara (£26), a patently obvious invention that, unfathomably, has taken until now to exist. In a couple of strokes, this darkens (covering greys), grooms and sets brows, replacing pencils, powders and gels (I wear this by day, the Tom Ford at night). Again, it comes in shades from light to dark.

Finally, the Suqqu Eyebrow Liquid Pen (£20) is the most realistic, natural-looking brow product there is, thanks to its translucent ink in sludgy, watercolour shades. All three are a marvel, and this isn't something I say often.

Sali loves… wintry glitter

NYX Professional RES Roll On Eye Shimmer, £4.50, nyxcosmeticsstore.co.uk
Roll-on shimmery shadows in gorgeous colours, with a rich, dense glitter.

Illamasqua glitter nail polishes, £14.50, illamasqua.com
My favourites are Perseid, a dense, textured black glitter, and Untold, which is like Dorothy's ruby slippers in a bottle.

'To be a beauty columnist who ignores expensive products is a bit like a motoring columnist pretending Bentleys are rubbish'

Someone on Twitter recently became furious because I said I loved a perfume costing £120. How dare I expect people to spend so much when money's so tight, they asked. The simple truth is I expect no such thing. It's none of my business how people choose to spend their money, and nor should it be anyone else's. To be a beauty columnist who ignores expensive products is a bit like a motoring columnist pretending Bentleys are rubbish.

The same applies to face creams. People invariably ask me whether Crème de la Mer is worth the high price tag. My answer: it depends what £100 means to you. I couldn't afford to spend that on moisturiser, but that doesn't mean I don't love the way Crème de la Mer makes my dry skin look and feel. Some luxury creams are excellent, as are some cheap ones. Similarly, both can be utter balls.

Personally, I love the extremely spendy Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv, RéVive's Intensité Crème Lustre, Sisley Restorative and Elizabeth Arden Prevage, but if, like me, you are not swimming in cash, choose more affordable brands such as Clarins, Clinique, Nivea or Olay. All are consistently reliable, because they have huge resources to throw at research. Your skin will typically feel the benefit of their spend.

Sali loves… hair texturisers

Toni & Guy Casual Rough Texturiser, £7.19, boots.com
I am currently using this a lot in place of dry shampoo, because it does a similar job of adding texture and lifting roots, only without any chalky residue.

Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish, £21.50, lookfantastic.com
I discovered this in America and have been waiting ever since for a UK launch. Bumps up flat hair without that horrible dry, dirty feeling.

Umberto Giannini Backcomb In A Bottle, £5.61, boots.com
Adds stacks of volume and dispenses with the need for harsh backcombing.

'Among the fragrance coffrets and glittery makeup are some brilliant Christmas palettes that will remain usable year-round'

The Christmas beauty collections are in, and among the bottles of fragrance and glittery makeup that, like party dresses and tinsel, will feel strangely depressing come January, are some brilliant palettes that remain usable year-round. Two really stand out for giving lots of bang for your buck, featuring several wearable shades for much less cash than the individual pieces would cost, and both will be going straight into my permanent kit.

Nars's collection, inspired by photographer Guy Bourdin, is entirely gorgeous, but the One Night Stand palette (£45) is particularly indispensable if, like me, you consider Nars's blusher to be the best. It features four of the most popular cheek powders, normally £21.50 each (including my favourites, Deep Throat and Orgasm, which, mercifully, you won't have to ask for by name), plus a highlighter and Laguna bronzer. It's suitable for every skin, from palest white to darkest black.

If you prefer cream formulations, Stila has finally gathered together all the popular shades of its cult classic Convertible Colour (normally £16 a pop) into one Colour Me Pretty value palette (£19.50). The shades are extremely pretty and give a soft, dewy finish to lips and cheeks.

Sali loves…anti-static products

The Wet Brush, £9, amazon.co.uk
Brushing wet hair with a traditional bristle brush causes static; plastic detangling brushes rarely have handles. This brush is the best of both.

Lenor Sheets, £3.10, ocado.com
Keep one folded up in your handbag for static emergencies caused by cold weather and woolly hats. Stretch over your hand like a mitt and stroke lightly over the length of your hair. Frizz and flyaway are instantly gone.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime, £29.35, feelunique.com
I use the purple one for my fine hair, but all versions protect from static, plus condition, de-frizz and gloss, leaving hair gorgeously soft. Pricey, but you need so little that a bottle lasts me a whole year.