Thanks to Instagram, our makeup product wishlist gets longer by the day - and more often than not, the picks are pricey. So it's important to stick to the old 'less is more' adage and work out exactly how much product you need to use each time, cutting waste to a minimum. To help us work out a comprehensive guide, we spoke to celebrity make-up artist Francesca Neil…
Primer
Size: A 20 pence piece.
Primer is one product that is easy to over-apply, according to Francesca. "This can leave you with too much product on your face, resulting in your foundation not sitting well. An amount of primer the size of a 20 pence piece is perfect for even application to the face."
Foundation
Size: A 50 pence piece
"I recommend applying the amount of foundation the size of a 50 pence piece for initial even coverage," advises Francesca. "By going in with less foundation, you can gradually build up in area that require extra coverage to give a natural-looking finish."
Concealer
Size: A peanut
To avoid your concealer looking 'cakey', opt for a peanut-sized amount. Francesca's top tip for applying concealer? "Opt for a triangle-shape application, because the under-eye area typically requires more coverage to disguise dark circles and redness."
Liquid blush
Size: A pea
Liquid blushes tend to be quite pigmented so a little goes a long way. "I would say a really small amount of liquid blush is needed to create a subtle impact so a pea-sized amount or smaller," says Francesca.
Liquid Highlight
Size: A one pence piece
The highlighter trend isn't going anywhere, and for good reason – a liquid highlighter is a great option for those looking to achieve that extra dose of radiance. "To achieve this coveted look," says Francesca, "you need a small amount that should be applied to the tops of the cheekbones, brow bones and cupid's bow to help create skin that looks lit from within."
Eye primer
Size: A blueberry
Using an eye primer is crucial to allow for maximum staying power of your eye makeup. "Gently pat an amount the size of a small blueberry over your eye lids and press in using your index finger. This helps the eyeshadow to sit well on the skin for a crease-free finish."
