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Cosmetics marketing is some of the most persuasive advertising around, and new product lines appear all the time. Everything about make-up is meant to be seductive and alluring and we're often told that so many items are "essential", or that one product happens to be superior to so many others. It's not true, of course, unless we're talking about personal preferences. The trick is to find the truly essential products in formulations which work best for you; the other trick is to avoid building up the kind of unused, inappropriate (for you!) cosmetics collection that accumulates from buying on impulse. If you can concentrate on choosing the best "essentials" for your needs, you really can pare down your cosmetics wardrobe to the most flattering must-haves that work perfectly to enhance your looks and suit your needs.

Before we even start to think about colour, the principle "must have" for any cosmetics wardrobe is a good set of cosmetics brushes. They don't have to be expensive and if you're sensitive to the idea of using real bristle, there are great brushes made from animal-free synthetic materials. A brush for applying liquid or cream foundation, a powder brush for applying translucent powder or bronzer, eyeliner and eyeshadow brushes, a blush brush, and a lipstick brush-these are all invaluable, and they can be had in sets or purchased separately for a reasonable amount.

All the applicators you'll find packaged in cosmetic compacts will never give you the same polished results, because they're simply not the best tools for applying and blending colours on your skin. Once you've bought your brushes, all you have to do is remember to maintain them: clean them regularly with brush cleaner, simple baby shampoo and water, or, for the smaller brushes, applications of isopropyl alcohol to remove any traces of accumulated oil and pigment. They will last for years and make the most out of all the cosmetics you use.

Foundation make-up is the next necessity. It doesn't have to be worn every day, but it has to be perfect for you when you do wear it. It now comes in all kinds of formulations: liquid, cream, mousse, powder/cream, powder that can be liquefied with water or used dry to "finish" your make-up, and simple powder formulations. The old rule used to be "buy the best foundation you can afford", and it's still, largely, a good rule even if it really isn't the only consideration. Remember that some of the priciest cosmetic lines also make many

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