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Be it backstage, on the red carpet or filming a commercial celebrity make-up artist Nigel Stanislaus knows a trick or two about putting your best face forward. Having worked with local and international superstars like Olivia Newton John, Guy Sebastian and Erin Watson as well as countless models, he knows all too well that skin imperfections (cue: blemishes, dark circles, redness) often appear when you least expect or want them. Here, he shares his top skin perfecting tips:

HOW DO I COVER UP BLEMISHES?

"Less is more when it comes to [unwanted] pimples or breakouts," Stanislaus suggests applying concealer to the affected area using a pointed liner or concealer brush such as Nude by Nature Concealer Brush 01 and then using your clean fingertip to gently press and blend the product out onto the blemish. Look for easy to blend formulas like Velvet Concept Abracadabra Crème Concealer that's packed with antioxidants like rosemary oil to help nourish and protect or Nude by Nature's Liquid Mineral Concealer creamy double-duty formula that hydrates (thanks to jojoba oil and shea butter) while it covers.

HOW CAN I CAMOUFLAGE MY PIGMENTATION OR DARK EYE CIRCLES?

Stanislaus explains that pigmentation and dark circles underneath your eyes need 'under cover corrector'. To do this he likes to apply concealer as normal (after foundation), then set it with a dusting of loose transparent powder. We recommend Velvet Concept Soft Focus Flawless Finishing Powder or a mineral option like Priori Adaptive Natural Formulas Minerals FX350 Uber Finishing Powder - perfect for sensitive skin types. He then suggests waiting 30 seconds before applying another layer of concealer over the top by gently pressing it in - rather than rubbing which would expose the imperfections once again. Finally, he adds that considering your concealer colour is key. Generally, one to two shades lighter than your skin tone for dark circles is rule of thumb and the deeper your skin tone the more peach toned your under corrector should be.