Every issue, beauty experts Sally Durant and Iain Burton-Legge will be giving advice on all aspects of skincare and make-up. Readers are invited to write in with their beauty queries, and Sally and Iain will do their best to answer them!

Beauty therapist Sally Durant owns and runs Springhill Clinic in Bewdley, an approved centre for Collagenics non-surgical cosmetic treatments, as well as owning the Collagenics franchise for Birmingham, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

Sally has 25 years' experience in the health and beauty field, having trained at Champneys Health Resort in Hertfordshire and qualified with prestigious international qualifications. After working in exclusive salons in London and overseas, she subsequently turned to the education and training of future therapists, incorporating the role of an international examiner.

Sally has researched and taught all aspects of the skin's anatomy and physiology and studied dermatological skin conditions in depth. As well as Collagenics therapies, she offers advice such as treatment plans for the under-20s, teaching skin care techniques, the care of the hands and feet and make-up application.

Contact Sally at Springhill Clinic on 01299 409090.

What is the key to a clear, youthful and glowing skin?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was one definitive answer to that question? Unfortunately our own uniqueness prevents that ever being the case. Skin health is a multi-faceted thing, influenced by our physical and emotional well-being, our environment and the irritants to which we subject ourselves. Moreover, the degree of care we take in looking after our skin together with an appropriate choice of products will be reflected in both its appearance and correct function.

A suitably planned skincare regime is a good place to start and need not be complicated or expensive. The secret is to select your products wisely; quality not quantity. However, the vast array of products available presents a minefield of choice and without proper advice, expensive mistakes can be made. There are three 'must-haves' to create clear, moist and protected skin in a quick, easily maintained routine.

Firstly you need a good cleansing product, with a toner if indicated, to free the skin of makeup and daily grime without overstripping its protective lipid layer or causing dehydration, leading to sensitivity.

The second essential is an exfoliator, to be used no more than twice weekly unless professionally advised. This may be an abrasive cream or have an AHA base of fruit acids or enzymes to break down tired, dead cells that can make the skin look dull and prevent the absorption of treatment moisturisers.

Lastly, a treatment cream provides replenishing oils and rehydrates the skin, giving suppleness, a fresh radiance and restoring the protective barrier against the elements. Such creams may have specialised therapeutic ingredients for revitalisation and cell regeneration, soothing irritated skin, sebum control and correcting sun damage.

In choosing the exact nature of your 'basic three' it is wise to take advice from a skincare professional who can assess your skin's needs and has an in-depth knowledge of product ingredients, their specific benefits and how they should be used. However, there are a few ground rules. It is generally advisable to keep to one range as products are designed to complement one another and mixing them can be counter-productive.

All products must be pH balanced to match the skin's own acid mantle which protects against bacteria. Avoid chemically perfumed products as these contain alcohol, which irritates and dehydrates. Also check for mineral oils, Lanolin or Isopropyl Myrostate: these are widely used ingredients that are commedogenic, causing congestion in the skin, and are also known allergens.

Once you have gained confidence in your chosen range of products, your regime can be made more sophisticated and may need to include more potent night repair products, an eye cream or gel and a face mask for weekly use. However, keeping it simple within the time you have easily available on a daily basis is the key to successfully maintaining your routine.

As for our initial question...well, at least we are a little way closer to the answer!

Springhill Clinic cordially invites you to an Open Day Event on Tuesday February 21 10am-5pm Demonstrations Free private Consultations Refreshments

Iain Burton-Legge is a highly experienced make-up artist who has been in the industry for over fifteen years, working in theatre, film, TV, and fashion in the UK and abroad. He has created stunning looks for models at prestigious hair and beauty awards ceremonies and events like the National Wedding Show at the NEC.

Iain has worked with some of the top names in the cosmetics business, including Chanel, Revlon and Dior, as well as being a National Make-up Artist for Stila and a Make-Up Artist and Events Co-ordinator for Elizabeth Arden. Despite having made up celebrities such as Beyonc, Victoria Beckham and Nigella Lawson, Iain, who now resides in the Midlands, wants to pass on his advice and experience and share the beauty secrets of the A-list with the everyday woman.

Inspired to become a make-up artist when working with photographer Peter Ashworth and fashion design company Velvet Ink Design, Iain's natural love of colour and costume led him to collaborate with music entrepreneurs during the 1980s, later gaining a diploma from The London Academy of Radio, TV and Film.

Contact Iain on 07985 642348.

What foundation would you recommend?

No matter how artistic a person is, without quality tools and products even a genius like Michelangelo would not have been able to paint the Sistine Chapel. This can be important if you want to get the best results. But you don't need to buy everything at once - some things you might never need and some you might not like, so accumulate them over time.

You already possess two of the best makeup tools on the market - your hands and fingertips. These allow you to forego a lot of the others and "dig right in." I've found that skin on skin, not to mention the natural warmth of the fingertips, often works exceptionally well. Surprisingly enough, though, I believe the most important tool is time - this allows you to practice and perfect your technique. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

When buying products, go for the best quality. This may mean spending a little more, but you will save money in the long run. I am not saying you have to spend a fortune either; just be prepared to spend a little more on certain things.

The most important product may be desire - willingness to explore the range of looks made possible by makeup. Be generous and patient with yourself over this. I was never taught how to do makeup; I taught myself. I made tons of mistakes but I never gave up. I devoted a lot of time to it and, slowly but surely, got better and better - I am still learning new things every day.

With skin as our basic "canvas", its condition and appearance are paramount in achieving your "cosmetic ambitions." There are more and more products geared specifically to skin type. The key to a long-lasting look can be as simple as a dab of powder, all the way up to concealer, foundation and pressed powder combination. A simple trick is to look at the back of your hand where you can see your average skin tone; be it more pink or yellow, this guides you to the base colour of your foundation.

It goes without saying that there is no substitute for beautiful skin. If you are a teen reading this, you might be rolling your eyes into the back of your head like a slot machine. Many of the looks I create use little or no foundation; I find that covering imperfections with concealer using a small brush creates a flawless yet natural finish.

That said, many looks I achieve use foundation in many forms (stick, liquid, powder, etc.) and in all colours. I have found over the years that the less you use the better. The reason is that during the day, as you smile, talk or frown (hopefully not), foundation migrates into creases and lines.

Powder tends to intensify this effect, though it is useful in areas prone to shine, such as the nostrils, bridge of the nose, chin and forehead. This is not to say shiny skin should be matted down - it all depends on the look you prefer.

If you have a question for Sally or Iain, write to Face Facts, Limited Edition, 5 High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8AJ.