Sidra Shaukat, author of Natural Beauty, shows us how to mix the perfect shade of foundation

To buy Natural Beauty by Sidra Shaukat (Chrysalis Books, £5.99) click here

Foundations come in so many different textures and combinations that it is very easy to make mistakes. The foundation should blend in with your natural colouring and blend in so that it looks as though you are not wearing any! Your colouring will not exactly match the colour of the foundation, so it is wise to spend some time creating your own foundation to match your skin.

The key to getting the exact colour combination for your skin is experimentation. For your initial experiments you may prefer to use the cheaper products to limit the cost of your mistakes. Some cosmetics counters may give out free samples, especially of new lines, or you may want to try the teenage end of the market, where products are budget-priced.

You will need to use at least three foundations to create your individual colour. If you are pale, stick to two or three of the palest colours in the range; if you are dark, pick foundations from the darker end of the range, adding one pale shade to lighten the mix if it gets too dark. If your colouring is medium, pick one pale, one medium and one dark colour, all from the same range.

You can, of course, try blending the foundations that are already in your make-up bag, but you will find that they do not blend easily with each other. For example, if one is dewy moisturising foundation, and one is a matte oil-free foundation, each will offset the effects of each other. So, if possible, stick to colours from the same range. Liquid foundations are best for blending, as well as being ideal for oily and black skins, some being oil-absorbent.

Lay out the foundations on a clear table. Have ready a few clean, flat saucers for blending, along with a few teaspoons. You will need a notebook and pen with which to note down the different combinations you are blending. Have a clear bottle ready to store your exact shade of foundation when you have finished experimenting.

Start mixing different combinations of the foundations, making a note of each one. Try to be precise - that is, if you have used one spoon of shade A to two spoons of shade B, note this down exactly. When you have three or four mixes, put them on your cheek/jawline area in thick strips with a lip brush in good light. Critically assess which foundation is the best.

If the foundations do not match your skin, try blending again, until you reach your perfect combination. Make a note of the exact combination and blend them in exactly the same proportions to make a full size bottle. There you have it, the perfect foundation for your skin colouring!