The lowdown on the trends and products you should be looking out for in 2008

Rule 1: Buy some face powder

Goodbye sheen, hello matte. The catwalk's new affair with matt-look skin means the new make-up texture in town definitely comes in powder form. But don't worry. Wearing it won't leave you looking like a china doll.

Modern blends mop up oil with light-diffusing pigments for a soft and natural finish. For first-time powder users, opt for a foolproof formulation like Clinique's new Blended Face Powder and Brush in Invisible Blend, £17.50 (launched on Feb 1), that uses pigments so sheer that they suit all skin tones. Here's how to wear it:

• Apply over foundation or alone over moisturiser.
• Dip a brush into the powder and gently tap excess into the palm of your hand.
• Rub hands together and gently smooth powder into skin.
• Whisk away excess powder with a clean face brush.

Rule 2: Shop for science-free skincare

Best for ageing skins is Stella Care (www.stellamccartneycare.com); the first luxury skincare range to contain 100 per cent organic ingredients. The 5 Benefits Moisturising Cream, £46, uses Vitamin C and grape seed oil to help skin battle fine lines and dullness.

Amie's products are best for teenage skin as they are free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, alcohol and animal extracts so great for reactive-prone pubescent skin. The Amie New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish, £4.95, is packed with Mango Seed and Cocoa Butter, making it feel and smell good enough to eat. Available from Boots and Superdrug nationwide.

Rule 3: Help cheeks pop

As minimal and matte skin is in, cheeks need a flash of colour in order to keep the look healthy. The newest shades for cheeks come in bright shades of bubblegum pink. The best by far is Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Raspberry, £16 (on the counter from February). Apply sparingly to the apples of your cheeks for an instant pick-me-up.

Rule 4: Invest in mineral make-up

Mineral make-up is great for sensitive skins. Free of chemicals, dyes or irritants normally found in modern make-up, their fine ingredients actually care for the skin.

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation, £12.99, available from February, this is the first long-wearing mineral base that will stay put for up to 16 hours (call 0800 085 2716).

Bare Escentuals Precious Diamonds Body Minerals, £40 from QVC, is a great bronzing powder for 'little black dress' events.

FreshMinerals Eye Shadow Dust, £9 (call 0845 644 3994 for stockists), can be applied wet or dry.

Rule 5: Grow out your brows

Bold and bushy eyebrows are the latest must-have accessory as sported on all the models at the spring/summer shows. But they still need to stay in shape with a regular plucking routine. Just make sure you follow the natural shape of your brow and pluck any strays that fall above and below this.

Rule 6: Start crimping your hair

At the spring/summer catwalk shows, straightening irons were swapped for the eighties hair tool of choice, the crimper! Seen on locks at major fashion shows like Mulberry and Burberry, crimps were worn in sections on straight styles, either left alone or brushed through. To get the look, straighten hair first, take a few sections and crimp the mid-lengths to the ends using Babyliss Pro 200 Crimper, £14.99. Finish off with a mist of hairspray for added hold.

Rule 7: Beautify on a budget

The cosmetics world is going to catch up with fashion's fixation for bargains as more and more cheap and cheerful brands are set to populate the nation's bathrooms. Watch out Primark, here are the newest budget brands on the block:

Marked-down make-up
e.l.f is an online make-up shop (www.eyeslipsface.co.uk) where everything costs £1.50. Choose from 130 products, from concealer and gloss to brushes and foundation. Don't forget to buy the new Moisture Care Lip Colour in Bark, £1.50, a suits-all pink shade.

Half-price hair
Until now, it has been hard to find decent reasonably-priced hair accessories. But with high street chemist brands like Scunci and Goody, we can now afford to adorn our locks with the most darling of clips and grips. We especially love the Scunci Diamante Butterfly Jaw Clip, £4.49.

Skincare for a steal
Tesco have a wide range of cheaper skincare lines but their new Pure range takes some beating. All products are soap, perfume and colour-free so ideal for sensitive skins. But the best bit is every product costs just 98p! The Pure Moisturising Body Wash is sure to be a best-seller.

Rule 8: Don't bin your eyeliner

The fifties flick is here to stay as eyes are heavily lined to a smoky point, but for a summery edge, make-up artists at shows like Anna Sui and Alberto Ferreti changed the colour from black to blue. For a similar rock 'n' roll statement, try lining the upper and lower lashes with Estee Lauder's Limited Edition Artist's Eye Pencil in Newport Blue, £14 (available from February 4).