Beauty confidential: How can I compare the shade of my prime old foundation?

The Prescriptives counters have nowall closed down, but you can still find the perfect shade or a matchfor a much loved foundation.

Cosmeticsa la Carte offer a Made to Measure Foundation service, which includes aconsultation (of up to ten minutes) after which they will then find youthe perfect shade to suit your skin tone. It costs 45 for 30ml.

They also offer a bespoke colour matching service for discontinued lipstick, powder or eye shadow.

Sendthem a sample of the product and they will send you three colouroptions to try at home. They will adjust the shade to make it match asaccurately as possible, so you end up with a perfect match.

The service takes 3-4 weeks and costs 200 and repeat orders cost 45.

Thecolour creation works best for lipsticks and eye shadows and it isexpensive as it involves hours of work blending different pigments andtextures.

Call 0207 622 2318 or visit cosmetics a la carte.com.

My eyebrows are quite sparse, what can I do?

Bold brows are back and here are a couple of excellent new brow pencils which will help you enhance your brows, without that hard, pencilled-in look which can look very fake.

Bobbi Browns new Powder Brow Pencils, 16.00 (bobbibrown.co.uk) do the job very well. The start of the brow should follow an imaginary line drawn from the outside of the nose to the inside corner of the eye.

For more definition, Bobbi recommends shaping your brows using a powder shadow with a brow brush.

"Begin at the inside of the brow and fill in the brow using a shade that matches your eyebrows and hair," she advises.

"Lightly stroke along the length of the brow, continue all the way up to the centre, creating an arch, and then turning the brush as it goes down.

"Make sure the brow is long enough and use a clear eyebrow mascara to brush up an unruly brow."

Cliniques new Instant Lift for Brows, 12.50 (Clinique counters nationwide) is a great product for perfect brows gives an instant "eye lift" in one dual-ended applicator.

The dual-ended pencil contains a brow filler and one end to fill-in, even-out and create perfectly defined, natural-looking brows.

The brow bone highlighter gives brows a lifted look - opening up and brightening the face instantly. Available in Soft Blonde, Soft Brown and Deep Brown.

I am obsessive about washing my hands all the time, but they are now feeling tight and a bit itchy.

Gentle: Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Hand Wash, 3.99

The dry, tight feeling is a result of chemicals stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Use soaps made from natural ingredients to help moisturise as you wash. Look out for those high in naturally skin-loving ingredients such as olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter and avoid artificial fragrances and colours where possible.

Organic ranges, such as Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Hand Wash, 3.99, (organicsurge.com) and Dr Organic"s Lavender Handwash, 4.99 (Holland & Barrett) are gentle on the skin, and no matter how often you wash your hands, they won"t leave the skin feeling tight.

Duchy Originals organic hand washes are great value at 3.25 (Waitrose) with wonderful scents, including fig and milk thistle and lavender.

Anatomicals Natural Collection is paraben and SLS-free, and their Whole Lotta Shakin" Goin" On Grapefruit and Mandarin Hand Soap, 3.25, (Waitrose and anatomicals.net) smells delicious.

Or try Method Foaming Hand Wash, 2.99 (B&Q, Homebase and Lakeland) or Tisserand Renewing Hand Wash with Wild Rose and Lemon, 6.08 (tisserand.com).

All are kind to skin and by helping your hands retain their natural moisture, will also reduce signs of ageing.

I have dry skin. Should I use a cleansing lotion or a wash-off cleanser?

As a general rule, wash-off cleansers, such as gels, are best for oily skin as they can dry out the face. Non-foaming cleansers, such as cleansing liquids or creams, are best for people with dry skin.

f your skin becomes dry and itchy, the cleanser is too strong. For drier skin, Dermalogica"s Ultracalming Cleanser, 21.60, won"t dry or irritate. For extra cleansing, use Dermalogica"s Precleanse first, 26.50 (dermalogica.co.uk) which transforms into a milky emulsion when added to water.

Oskia is a beautifully gentle range, and the Perfect Cleanser, 38.50 (Liberty or oskiaskin care.com) is a nourishing balm which is good for dry or combination skin.

REN"s No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm, 28 (renskincare.com or Selfridges) has two cleansing phases - a gentle emulsifying oil to remove dirt followed by a milk to deeply purify pores when used with water.

Fat buster: Tisserand Diet Aid Roll-On Remedy, 4.50

Do the new ;fat melting beauty products really work?

More than half of all women try to shed a few pounds at this time of year, so we welcome any products that offer a helping hand.

These won"t make you lose weight and they can"t make cellulite vanish (only diet and exercise do that) but some of them will firm and smooth wobbly areas, making everything look tighter.

Mama Mio"s Get Waisted, 35, (mamamio.com or Debenhams) increases the destruction of fat cells and smoothes the skin, and it has taken the beauty world by storm after claims it can shift an inch from your waistline.

Transformulas FirmSlim, 25 (0845 1133 888 or transformulas.com) is an effective firming and cellulite treatment that gives instant results. It "fizzles" when you apply it to skin, helping to increase tissue drainage.

Dr Murad"s Firm and Tone Serum, 49.50 (murad.co.uk) claims to reduce the appearance of cellulite by up to 69 per cent, and increases the skin"s firmness and elasticity.

Try a relaxing bath that will also help shift some of the body"s toxins. O"Spa"s Detox Bath Oil, 34.50 (ospa london.com) contains juniper and cedarwood.

And the new Tisserand Diet Aid Roll-On Remedy, 4.50 (tisserand.com), a blend of essential oils, including frankincense, neroli and reassuring cocoa, helps you to mentally rejuvenate so you can think more clearly and focus when chocolate cravings strike.

ASK ELSA

Do you have a beauty problem? Write to Ask Elsa, Beauty Confidential, Femail, the Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, Kensington, London W8 5TT. Or email: askelsa@daily mail.co.uk. Elsa reads all your letters and will answer your beauty problems in future Beauty Confidential columns, but regrets she cannot answer letters or emails personally.

BEAUTY DECADES: Liquid eyeliner

Click on each image to enlarge and scroll through for more...

SIXTY PLUS TWENTIES THIRTIES FORTIES FIFTIES SIXTY PLUS TWENTIES Next Previous Close TWENTIES: 17 Liquid Eyeliner, 3.91, Boots stores nationwide

This creamy liquid eyeliner is easy to apply so makes an ideal choice for novices. It is waterproof so doesn�t smudge and holds fast for hours. The precision tip makes it easy to create a variety of looks from simply defining your lashes to creating the statement winged eyeliner look THIRTIES: The Body Shop Liquid Eye Liner, 8.50, 01903 844 554

With a felt-tipped style brush for total control, this water resistant liner is straightforward to use and stays put all day. Containing Marula oil which is an effective moisturizer that conditions the skin, as well as vitamin E, an antioxidant your skin will be softened and protected FORTIES: Max Factor Masterpiece Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner, 6.99, Boots stores nationwide

Whether you�re an eyeliner pro or a first timer, this eyeliner makes it easy. With its precision felt-tipped style tip, you can build up the colour as you go, and it"s difficult to make mistakes. Its quick drying formula also makes it a good choice for women on the go, and it"s guaranteed to stay put all day FIFTIES: Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Liquid Eyeliner, 17.50, esteelauder.co.uk

Promising up to fifteen hours of wear, this will stay put no matter what your day throws at you. With an ultra-fine felt-tip applicator, the smooth, comfortable formula glides on precisely and dries in seconds, maintaining dense, high-impact colour and a high-shine finish that looks glossy all day SIXTY PLUS: Christian Dior Style Liner, 21, Boots stores nationwide

This concentrated liquid eyeliner delivers a dense and precise line to help to emphasize your eyes. The quick drying formula easily glides on, making it difficult to smudge and make a mess of the application. The thin brush guarantees precise application, allowing you to build up the colour as your confidence grows CHEAP TREAT

Tesco Vitamin E cleansing wipes

Tesco have relaunched their Vitamin E range, and as well as beingfantastic value for money, it looks and feels great.

The range ofcleansing lotion, foaming facial wash, moisturiser, night cream, toner,face scrub, eye make-up remover, hand and nail cream and facial wipes -which are an astonishing 72p - is paraben-free and is enriched withvitamin E for its anti-oxidant, protecting and conditioning properties.

The Face Scrub (72p) leaves skin feeling really fresh and clean, andwhile it removes dead skin cells, it isn"t harsh and doesn"t leave anytightness.

The Facial Wash, (also 72p), is gentle and soap-free, whilethe Night Cream, (72p), sinks into skin really well, leaving no oilyresidue.

The whole range smells beautifully fresh, while not having anoverpowering scent, and really is fantastic value, for all skin typesand ages.

This season: Frontcover"s Rainbow Eyes Reborn features 25 colours

RAINBOW EYES

Vogue has described rainbow eyes as a key make-up look for this season and if you want to try this, Frontcovers new kit - Rainbow Eyes Reborn - features 25 colours and gives you everything you need to achieve the look.

It includes applicators and Shadowline - a revolutionary product that turns any eye shadow into eyeliner.

Frontcover is the cult make-up collection which sold out in 2008 and again in 2009 in record time.

Frontcovers Rainbow Eyes Reborn will be stocked in Boots from today (February 25 March 23) at 15, instead of the usual price of 30.

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