Forget Facetune, beauty experts share the top 11 products to contour your face so you don’t need filters

PARTY season is upon us, which means those late-night selfies will be showing harsh truths in the cold light of day.

Many of you will have spruced up your snaps with the Facetune app, but wouldn’t it be better to smooth out those niggles in real life?

We asked the experts how to get closer to picture-perfect.

IF YOU USE… THE  WHITENING TOOL

Spotlight Ultra Teeth Whitening Strips, from £24.95

There’s nothing like a grinning selfie to highlight not-so-pearly whites. The most effective fix is a dentist’s whitening kit.  

Try celeb dentist Dr Teki Sowdani’s pro whitening service, £395, at his practice, Teeth by Teki,  which includes a consultation, custom  moulds and three weeks’ supply of whitening gel. 

Can’t afford that? “First, floss. It helps eliminate stains between the teeth, so they appear whiter overall,” says Dr Sowdani.

“Whitening strips also work well. They are really effective for removing minor stains.”  We love Spotlight Ultra Teeth Whitening Strips, from £24.95.

The selfie camera never lies when it comes to bloodshot eyes, either. Once an eye test has ruled out any underlying issues, combat redness by building your eye barrier, says Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and co-founder of Peep Club.

Peep Club Instant Relief Eye Spray, £15

“Most of us have dry eyes, which means we have a weak protective tear film – a major cause of low-level redness. Fortifying it with a preservative-free eye drop or spray, such as Peep Club Instant Relief Eye Spray, £15, is enough to help most people get whiter eyes.” 

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Liner in Nude, £4.99

Finally, cheat brightness à la Victoria Beckham, who swears by flesh-coloured kohl along the water line.

“Use gentle pressure to avoid getting it into the lash roots, which looks really obvious,” says A-list MUA Hannah Martin, author of Makeup: A Masterclass In Beauty.

“Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Liner in Nude, £4.99, is a good budget buy.”

TIP: Beware of overusing eye-whitening drops. While fine as a one-off, Nicola warns: “Regular use can cause ‘back-lash hyperemia’, a resistant redness that’s extremely difficult to get rid of.”

IF YOU USE… THE SMOOTHING TOOL

Seoulista Super Hydration Instant Facial, £7.99

To soften the look of lines IRL, A-list facialist Natasha Clancy recommends products with hyaluronic acid. She says:  “It draws moisture into the skin for instant plumping.”

Hannah agrees and adds: “I used Seoulista Super Hydration Instant Facial, £7.99, and was asked if I’d had Botox! That’s now my go-to if a client is feeling tired.”

RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum, £39.99

Try the new RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat serum, £39.99, for long-term benefits from hyaluronic acid combined with retinol. After a month, 100% of testers saw smoother wrinkles. Hannah also suggests using primers, such as Trinny London Miracle Blur, £26.

Trinny London Miracle Blur, £26

“These products contain small particles of silica, which give a temporary illusion of smoother skin,” she says. Soft-focus make-up, like ELF Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £15, and Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Magic Blurring Loose Powder, £16 for members, work similar wonders.

IF YOU USE… THE ERASING TOOL

Hero Mighty Patch, £7.99

Spots must love a party, as they always pop up as our plus-one. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, then tackle the blemish with a sulphur or salicylic acid treatment, plus hydrocolloid spot patches, advises GP and skin specialist Dr Sonia Khorana.

“Use a product like Hero Mighty Patch, £7.99, to prevent touching and foster an environment that speeds healing. At night, use sulphur/salicylic acid. Applying these under a patch can work very well, although it may irritate sensitive skin.”

We rate Murad Rapid Relief Blemish Spot Treatment, £24.

Murad Blemish Control Rapid Relief Spot Treatment, £24

To disguise spots with make-up, Hannah suggests gently stippling matte concealer over the blemish, then setting with blurring powder.

“Use sanitised brushes, and make sure the concealer is the same shade as your base, otherwise you can draw  attention to the spot.

Sculpted By Aimee Complete Cover Up Concealer, £15, has a great, skin-like texture for covering blemishes and pigmentation spots.”

TIP: It’s best not to squeeze, but if you must, ensure your hands are clean. “Never probe a spot that doesn’t have a head,” says Dr Khorana. “Don’t put toothpaste on a spot. It can cause inflammation and burning.” If it’s an emergency, see a derm for a steroid injection to shrink a zit fast. 

IF YOU USE… THE BRIGHTENING TOOL

Kichi Forever Oil, from £35

Facial oil plus circulation-stimulating massage perks up lacklustre skin, says Natasha, whose own Kichi Forever Oil, from £35, has been name-checked by Sienna Miller as her “youthful glow” must-have.

Skincare with vitamin C or niacinamide also boosts radiance. Try Olay Super Serum, £39.99, which contains both actives, plus has a pearlescent finish. 

Olay Super Serum, £39.99

Brightening dark under-eyes will instantly refresh the face, advises celebrity MUA Adeola Gboyega.

“Use a luminising concealer that’s slightly lighter than your base. Makeup Revolution Eye Bright Illuminating Concealer, £8, is the perfect pick-me-up.”

L’Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Glotion, £11.99

To fake a lit-from-within filter, Hannah loves L’Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Glotion, £11.99. She says: “Apply it all over and forgo foundation, as the light reflection is so flattering. And nothing brings skin to life like cream blush – try Doll Beauty Pretty Fly Cream Melt, £16.”