How to get velvety skin

“Having a matte skin texture is chic and modern, but just because there’s no glow doesn’t mean you can’t look healthy,” says La Mer UK Makeup Ambassador Valeria Ferreira. “It’s my go-to for red-carpet clients needing ‘paparazzi-proof’ skin, because it looks immaculate under any light or flash and the skin looks great for a long period of time. It’s the perfect pairing to a great matte lipstick and black mascara – bold and cool.” Here are her tips for mastering the look…

“Prepping your skin is key to achieving a velvety, matte finish,” says Ferreira. “Use a hydrating face mask first, then an oil-absorbing toner and moisturizer on the T-zone. Keep a natural sheer glow on the cheekbones by using a richer cream, like La Mer’s original cream, to create a little more sheen.”

“Use a lightweight foundation to even out your skin tone rather than applying it heavily all over the face. Look at your skin to see where you need it most, then diffuse out from there. It’s best to build coverage in prominent areas such as the cheekbones, forehead and chin.”

“Use a concealer slightly lighter than your skin tone to bring out areas that need highlighting, such as around the nose and lips. I love using a small eyeshadow brush for an airbrushed effect or a Beautyblender sponge to apply concealer. If you have flaky or dry skin, dampen your concealer brush in a light moisturizer or mix your concealer with it so the product doesn’t just sit on the surface of your skin.”

“Don’t be scared to use finishing powders, even if you have dry skin. Get an undetectable powder like La Mer The Powder in Translucent; compact and powder foundations are also great. The secret is in how you apply it: using a puff or sponge, press and roll it into the skin using only a tiny amount of product so your skin has a soft sheen, rather than looking flat.”