The light in my living room is not wonderful but I have to be down here to supervise the chaos, therefore I need a base that requires zero precision, that won’t crease around my tired eyes and gives a subtle, bouncy glow that shaves a couple of years off my biological age, all in one, thank you.

The goal isn’t to look flawless, it’s to look polished enough that people don’t ask, “Are you OK?”, and to do it fast. I used to rely on a mineral powder because it’s so finely milled it blurs pores while letting them breathe, takes down any shine and evens skintone with a quick brush. But my favourite – Bare Minerals Bare Pro – has inexplicably been discontinued, so I’m in full ‘trial and error’ mode.

On great skin days I’ll opt for a serum foundation hybrid like Estee Lauder Futurist Skintint SPF20, £49, or a tinted moisturiser (Jones Road Just Enough Tinted Moisturiser, £44, is sensational) and, since we have no time, a wonder-tool that makes application seamless, even in very low light, which is the Otis Batterbea Foundation Buffer 111, £28. I’m also loving K-Beauty brand Tirtir’s viral Mask Fit Red Cushion, £21, which is like a skin-nourishing foundation mousse in a compact that just disappears into the skin, (plus, it comes in 40 shades and costs only 20 quid). Any areas that need more work will be immaculately concealed by my ride or die Merit The Minimalist, £34. It doesn’t crease, but it covers. Scribble, blend, done.

I also love:

Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm, £34, for a super-radiant glow to suit a wide range of skin tones.

Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint, £37, delivering exceptional skin hydration and a natural, light, buildable base for all skin tones.

Gatineau Miracle Eye Contour Cream, £36, is a colour-adapting, lightly concealing cream with skin benefits that accumulate with use.

Rimmel Multi-Tasker Better Than Filters, £12.99, is the ever-popular primer/glow-giver hybrid with a skin filter effect.

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