Carrie wants to know: "What is the best way to ensure your skin looks good at parties - I always find my skin gets hot and bothered with all the heat/smoke!"

Alison Young said:

You need to deeply exfoliate and that should include Gatineau deep cleansing foam followed by the Decleor mask and then mix with a tiny pump of Genie instant skin firmer with the foundation. The Gatineau draws out the oils in the skin. The Decleor closes the pores and then the Genie will act as a barrier in the foundation and stop any shine and keep the foundation on for longer. If you are under 30 replace the Genie with the Matte Miracle from Cosmetics A la Carte.

Helen Barker wants to know: "How can I disguise dark circles under my eyes?"

Alison Young said:

Everyone knows concealer can help around the eye area but the type of concealer you use is vital. If there are dark circles around the eye area you need to use a light-reflecting product but if it is puffy and lined you will need to use a corrective concealer. The Models Prefer Hide, Sculpt and Correct make-up compacts are a set of two compacts that will be able to help in either case. The Lighten, Hide, Sculpt & Correct Compact contains three shades of concealer that you can custom blend to help correct under-eye circles, lines, spots, blemishes, blotches and redness and the Correct Compact is mint green/soft blue to help tone down redness and dark blotches by reflecting light. A good tip that make-up artists use to disguise under-eye bags is to draw attention away from the lower eyelid, this is done by not applying mascara or eyeliner on the lower lid whilst using light, bright and fresh colours on the upper lid such as iridescent pink, gold and pearlescent white. Tweezed eyebrows are also a must as this creates a mini eyelift and draws the focus away from under-eye bags and blemishes.

Sarah wants to know: "I am 37 and still get lots of spots on my chin, nose area, I have large pores on my nose which look horrible and blackheads on my chin and nose what can I do that is going to work but not be expensive."

Alison Young said:

You need to use Prescriptives Anti-blemish Serum, which is specifically for mature spots. You should be able to see results in 30 days.

Fred wants to know: "Do you agree with men waxing their chest?"

Alison Young said:

No problem! They wax their chest for all sorts of reasons. A) Because they or their partner don't like their hair. B) It can show muscle definition. C) It can actually make the chest look younger and D) is if you have a tattoo or tattoos it will show it better. And my husband waxes his chest too!

Tara wants to know: "What beauty remedies can help make even someone hung-over look beautiful the next day?"

Alison Young said:

Anti hang over cure is going to be the Cosmetics A la Carte Rose Dew. It depuffs the skin, super hydrates without being greasy and provides a make-up base and you have got to use Laura Geller Bronze and Brighten to fake the fresh look.

Carrie has a second question for us: "Do you need to use an SPF in your moisturiser to protect skin from smoke etc at parties? What are your views, Alison?"

Alison Young said:

SPF won't do anything at a party. Foundation physically protects the skin and also modern day formulas should contain anti-oxidants, which neutralize the effects of smoke.

Gemika wants to know: "At what age should you start using anti-ageing creams?"

Alison Young said:

In general 30 - 35+. Before that you should be concentrating on good cleansing routines hydrating moisturisers and SPF protection. However, accelerated ageing can occur earlier due to excessive illness, stress, sunbathing which may cause you to start ageing a few years early.

Prue wants to know: "Is less more?"

Alison Young said:

If you are younger and have good skin then less is more. But as you get older you have got to apply more to make it look as if you have less on i.e. you need cleverer skin coverage to make your skin look younger.

Rebecca wants to know: "Is glitter make up really naff now or can I still get away with it?"

Alison Young said:

Glitter make-up is not as fashionable as it was. Two years ago it was applied liberally and all over. Now, a little bit of glitter as an accent i.e. on the lips or on the eyes is more modern. And up to date make-up is about sheen on the skin. Sheen is the new glitter. So watch out for more light reflective properties in blushers and eye shadows try Cosmetics A la Carte, Angel or Moonbeam skin tint, Mojave Magic can be used as highlighters.

Angerona wants to know: "I am going to a ball at Christmas have stunning red (bright red) floor length gown what colours should I put with it i.e. shoes make up I am dark haired with dark brown eyes and sallow skin"

Alison Young said:

Shoes is entirely down to economy and accessories i.e. if you are strapped for cash then it's got to be the black shoes. The make-up with your colouring depends on how heavy you go on the jewellery because the dress colour is very strong. Guaranteed fail-safe would be to go for neutrals and browns. But give a smokey look in the eyes to balance the dress. If you want an accent colour, use green, which is in at the moment. Try Red Earth and Smashbox. Lips if you are brave use red to balance the dress. If you are not so brave your lips should be highly defined with gloss. You need a highly moisturised skin try Decleor Vitaroma body sculpting cream. And an absolute must is getting ready early. You always put your make up on without your dress and your make-up might be too weak and need adjusting.

Ellie wants to know: "What do you think is the best cleanser to use?"

Alison Young said:

All beauty experts will tell you never to use a straightforward cleanser; you want to do more for your skin than just remove your make-up. A favourite of mine is the Elemis Cleanser, which contains active ingredients to repair your skin and restore radiance to your complexion. After cleansing use a moisturiser that provides added results such as the Gatineau Defi-Lift 3D Resulting Lift Cream, which improves the texture of your skin by minimising the appearance of pores, giving cheeks a firmer appearance and defining the cheekbones to create a more youthful look.

Priti wants to know: "I have been told I have very nice eyes and I wear eye makeup to enhance it. My eye shadow however always tends to come off. How do I make sure that it doesnt come off throughout the day?"

Alison Young said:

There is a great eye base to go underneath your eye make-up called Laura Geller Spackle for lips and eyes. And the other would be the Benefit Lemon Aid.

Carrie wants to know: "Should you wash your hair the day or the day before a big party (whether you are having it professionally styled or not)?"

Alison Young said:

It often depends on what type of hair you have and the routine you use. If you are using the right hair products you should be able to wash the same day as your pastry. I.e. curly hair with old-fashioned hair products often looks better on day 2 and day 3. Nowadays with modern products if you have a specific hair type routine i.e.; curly hair products then you can wash a few hours before the party and you wouldn't have any frizz. .Andrew Jose hair type specific products.

Helen Bishop wants to know: "Can you recommend a really good fake tan? "

Alison Young said:

If you want a strong result quickly then it has to be San Tropez. If you have got a paler skin and you just want a golden look then Eco tan can be used across several nights to give an individual prescription colour. If you have just got back from a holiday and feel like your tan has faded as soon as you have got off of the plane, with proper maintenance your tan will actually look darker for up to a week after you are home. The tan cycle is actually seven days, during which the melanin slowly comes to the surface of the skin and darkens the tan. The reason we often think the tan is fading is because this darker skin is being hidden behind dead skin cells. The key is exfoliating because the more you scrub, the more your true tan is revealed. Try Decleor's Exfoliating Shower Gel to eliminate impurities and scrub away dead skin cells.

Another one from Carrie! "What can you use in the bath to recover after Christmas or New Year's Eve, if you go out? Can you get themed for your mood treats? "

Alison Young said:

Aromatherapy Associates Destress Kit is good to help you relax. Molton Brown have got a destress pack which have a fabulous detoxer which will be perfect after the stress of the Christmas/ New Year.

Michaela wants to know: "What is the best solution for oily skin?"

Alison Young said:

Two fold make sure that you are not causing excessive oil by eating a high fat diet like chocolate, crisps etc. And secondly have a routine of dedicated oily skin products that gently balance without stripping i.e.; Korres, Decleor and Elemis or Liz Earle has great products specifically for this skin type. If the oily skin has also infected areas Tea Tree is also good.

Katy wants to know: "I'm going to New York for Christmas and want to arrive at the airport looking lovely to meet my boyfriend - help! "

Alison Young said:

Rehydrate your skin with Decleor Hydro floral Mask to relax and replenish your skin or Prescriptives Flight Spray or cream will have a similar effect with moisture and to prevent your skin looking too inject moisture and stop you looking tired and puffy. If you don't feel comfortable applying a mask. Prevent your lips drying out from the air con (and in-flight salted peanuts) with Gale Hayman Lip Lift With Collagen & Vitamin E. 'Lip Lift' seriously moisturises the delicate skin and contains collagen, vitamin E and aloe to help smooth wrinkles and ease lines, leaving you with super smooth lips in next to no time...