Whether you have made a beauty mistake, have run out of a vital product or are simply stuck for inspiration on how. to make the most of your looks, the following problem solvers are just what you need!

Remover has-run out

If you want to re-paint your nails, but have run out of remover, try coating one nail at a time with a clear base coat. Leave to dry for a few seconds, then press a tissue over the nail and remove it at once the base coat and coloured polish will come off in one quick move.

Poker-straight lashes

Do invest in a set of eyelash curlers, as they really make a difference to the way your eyes look. Gently squeeze your lashes between their cushioned pad before applying mascara or you'll risk breaking off the hairs. Curling your lashes makes them. look thicker than usual and helps to open up the eyes.

Patchy powder

Provided you apply your powder with a light touch to freshly moisturized skin or on top of foundation that's applied with a clean sponge, it should look perfect. Check your powder is matched closely to your natural skin-tone. So, try dusting a sample of powder onto your skin in natural daylight before buying.

Stained nails

Stained nails  are  usually caused by wearing  dark-coloured  nail  polish without using a protective clear base coat. Try switching to paler coloured polishes, as these contain lower levels of pigment that are less likely to stain your nails, and use a clear base coat underneath.

Flaky mascara This usually means the mascara is old and the oils that keep it creamy have dried out. Try not to pump air into the dispenser - go gently when replacing the cap and replace your mascara every few months. If mascara flakes on your lashes, remove it and make a clean start

Melting Lipstick

If you are out and about  and your lipstick is starting to move in the heat, then dust over the top with a little loose powder. This will give it a slightly drier texture, to help it stay put for a longer time. A little loose powder will also create a lovely matte finish

Smudged eyeliner

Tidy up the under-eye area by dipping a cotton bud (swab) into some eye make-up remover. Whisk it over the problem area to remove smudges, then re-powder. In future, remember to run a little loose powder over eyeliner to combat smudging.

A blemish appears

Start by calming down the blemish by dabbing it with a gentle astringent. Apply a concealer directly onto the blemish or spot, and tidy up the edges with a clean cotton bud (swab). Set in place with a light dusting of loose powder.

Red-toned skin or embarrassing blushes

A red skin colour can be toned down by smoothing your skin with a specialized green-tinted foundation. Apply with a light touch, just to the areas that really need it. The green pigment in the cream has the effect of canceling out the red in your skin.However, to avoid a ghostly glow, you'll need to apply a light coating of your ordinary foundation on top and then set with a dusting of loose powder. This tip is also good for covering the occasional gry spot or blemish.

Flaky lips

If your lips are flaky you'll find it difficult to create a smooth lipstick finish. Slick your lips with petroleum jelly, and leave for 10 minutes to give it time to soften hard flakes of skin. Then cover your index finger with a damp flannel and gently massage your lips.  This will remove the petroleum jelly and the flakes of the dead skin at the same time.

Bleeding lipstick

Use lip liner to help prevent your lipstick from bleeding into the fine lines around your mouth. Trace the lip outline, then apply lip colour with a brush. Choose a drier textured matte lipstick as they're less prone to bleeding. Also, lightly powder over and around  your lips before you start.

Smudged mascara

If your mascara always seems to run onto your skin, leaving you with "panda eyes", first check that you are using a water-proof variety. Try holding a piece of tissue just underneath your lower lashes while you're applying your mascara to prevent it from getting as far as your skin in the first place.Alternatively, dip a cotton bud (swab) in eye make-up remover for fast touch-ups before the mascara has a moment to dry on your skin. To remove excess mascara, place a tissue between your upper  and lower lashes and blink two or three times.

Bloodshot eyes

Red eyes are caused by the swelling of the tiny blood vessels on the eye surface, which can be caused by lack of sleep excessive time in front of a computer, a smoky atmosphere or an infection. If its a continual problem, consult your doctor, or ask your optician for an eyesight examination to ensure there's nothing to worry about.On a temporary basis, you can use eye drops to bring a fresh sparkle back to your eyes.

Tidemarks of foundation

If you find obvious edges to your foundation on your chin, jaw line or hairline blend them away with a damp cosmetic  sponge. Do this in natural daylight so you can check the finished effect. Powder a usual afterwards.

Unhealthy-looking nails

Sometimes, however strong your nails are, their overall effect can be spoilt by yellowing tips. However, you can immediately improve them by running a white manicure pencil underneath the free edges of nail to give them a cleaner appearance. Combine with a coat of clear polish for a fresh, natural nail look.

Yellow teeth

First of all, consult your dentist or dental hygienist for regular check-ups and thorough cleaning. Take heart: yellow teeth tend to be stronger than "their whiter counterparts! To make them look whiter, avoid coral or brown-based lipsticks clear pink or red shades will make your teeth look much whiter in comparison.

Droopy eyes To help lift the appearance of droopy eyes, sweep a light-toned eye shadow all over your eyelid. Then apply a little eye-shadow with a clean cotton bud (swab) under your eyes, sweeping it slightly upwards. Apply extra coats of mascara on the lashes just above the iris of the eye to draw attention to the centre of your eye rather than the outer corners.

Straggly eyebrows Tidy them with regular tweezing sessions. The ideal time is after a bath, when your pores will be open from the heat. Before bedtime is also a great idea, so you don't have to face the day with reddened skin! Quickly brush your brows into place, so you can see the natural shape. Then pluck one hair at a time, in the direction of growth.  First remove the hairs between your brows, and then tweeze any stray hairs at the outer sides. As a general rule, don't pluck above the eye-brow area. Over-applied blusher

If you've forgotten the golden rule about building up your blusher slowly and gradually, you may need to tone down an  over-enthusiastic  application  of colour. The quickest and easiest way is to dust a little loose powder over the top of the problem, area until you've reached a depth of blusher shade that you're happy with. Over-plucked eyebrows

Choose a natural-looking brown eye-shadow. Then apply it lightly and evenly with a firm-bristled eyebrow brush, using short sharp strokes across the brow. As the hairs that grow back are often unruly, a light  coat  of clear mascara  can be applied to help keep them in place. Try to ignore the periodic fashions for highly plucked eyebrows. The fashions don't last for long - but eyebrows can take ages to grow back!