BEAUTY BEAT

The eyes are very delicate and sensitive, yet they are also the prettiest asset a woman can have. While other areas of the face have only a few make-up products, the eyes have so many - eye make-up base, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, false lashes or shimmer, to name just the most frequently used ones.

But have you ever taken time to do some research on what's in those products? Eye make-up products should be very carefully chosen, as they can get into your eyes anytime, and cause irritation, allergy, or even wounds. It is better to know what you are putting on to avoid the chance of scary substances getting into them.

In eyeshadows, common ingredients consist of talc, mica, sericite, magnesium stearate, colourants and preservatives. Cheap or expensive, the main ingredients are quite the same. The difference is the quality of the ingredients, although cheaper brands don't always necessarily use poor quality. Good eyeshadows have more pigment and deliver more intense colour. However, when it comes to looking good, skills determine the result more than the products.

Make-up artist Wayne Goss says: "You can do more with good brushes and bad make-up than you can with good make-up and bad brushes," so it is good to invest in high-quality brushes. Harsh, coarse brushes can also irritate the skin around your eyes.

Eye primer can also help protect loose particles from falling into your eyes. Its job is to make sure eye make-up stays on the eyelids longer, making your eyes look beautiful all day long and saving your eyes from getting chemically coloured particles caught in them.

Most mascaras contain pigments, oils, waxes and water. Since it contains greasy ingredients, when it comes in contact with skin sebum and sweat, it is easy to smudge and cause that unsightly panda effect. Super longlasting mascaras, however, are always a challenge to remove.

If you do not remove your mascara properly at the end of the day, it can cause irritation and your lashes to fall out. As previous days' mascara builds up and you add on one layer after another every day, the result will not look good as your lashes will look lumpy.

Always remove eye make-up with specific products that are gentle enough not to damage your skin and effective enough to get rid of the make-up completely. Never rub or wipe harshly because it will not only irritate the skin but also stretch your skin causing wrinkles.

Use eye cream or gentle facial cream regularly. While there is no significant difference in the ingredients that go into eye creams and facial creams, the strength of the formula is not the same. Very strong creams might work well on your face, but not on the delicate skin around your eyes.

If you are already using gentle facial cream, it does not hurt to use it on the eyes. And as with other areas on your face, don't forget to protect it sunscreen on a daily basis, and if the sun is really strong, oversized sunglasses can come in very handy.

Eye primer is often the unsung hero. M.A.C Prep+Prime Highlighter prepares and primes the skin so that eye make-up stays longer, as well as hides undereye circles.

Face Factor for Face & Neck by Kiss My Face contains anti-aging peptides that help reduce wrinkles as well as aloe and cucumber extract that hydrates and soothes the skin. The fragrance-free, water-resistant and fragrance-free formula makes it delicate enough to use around the eyes.

Liquid eyeliner, when dried, can be difficult to remove. Try Pupa Automatic Eyeliner, formulated with siliconic resin, which ensures simple application, long-lasting wear and easy removal with make-up remover.

Nivea Visage Double Effect Eye Make-up Remover gently removes even the most waterproof mascara with a caring formula that protects the eyelashes.

Shu Uemura's revolutionary lipstick Rouge Unlimited is reformulated for boundless pure colour, transparency and supreme moisture care. This all new series is created with ''crystal core hybrid pigment'' technology for the purest colours. The breathtaking array of 50 inspiring colours is formulated for longlasting moisture to soothe even the most parched lips.

Clinique introduces Quickliner for Eyes Intense _ a versatile eye pencil with a unique smudge tip that allows lines to be softened for a smokier look. The richly-pigmented eyeliner delivers a soft creamy texture and intense colour that promises up to 12 hours of wear. The non-fading, long-wearing colour is smooth like an eye pencil but lasts like a liquid liner. It is the ultimate tool to intensify your eyes all day.