Q I hate my small eyes but I'm not about to go under the knife. What can I do to make my eyes look bigger?

A Like magicians who trick the eye with a sleight of hand, the illusion of larger peepers can also be faked with skilful use of eyeliner and eyelash curler.

New definition: Use pencil or powder eyeliner to trace slightly under the contour of your natural lash line, not on it.

You'd want to define your eyes by opening them up. So eyeliner - pencil, powder, cream or liquid - is important. A new trick I picked up for the season is to exaggerate the definition of the lower lash line to expand the depth of your eye.

With eyeliner - I find that a pencil or powder eyeliner is better for this - trace a line under and not on the lower lid, following the natural contour of the eye.

Next, go over with a Q-tip or brush, smudging it to soften the look, so you don't get any ugly harsh lines.

To make eyes pop further, always curl lashes and top with two coats of mascara. This will liven up your gaze as it shows off more of the eye whites, which adds to the illusion of bigger peepers.

Q I'm thinking of investing in some make-up brushes. What should I buy and what do I look for?

A Give yourself a pat on the back for investing in good make-up brushes. They make all the difference to make-up application, giving a smoother, less cakey finish.

Equip yourself with these basic brushes: one for foundation, one for powder/blusher, one for the eyes and another for the lips.

Note the following when looking for brushes:

- Natural vs synthetic bristles

Expect to pay more for animal hair (from badgers or squirrels) brushes. Their advantage over synthetic fibres is that they feel softer on the skin, and they pick up just the right amount of make-up so you're not left with stamps of colour on your face.

Pick of the week Like Merlin's magic cube, one side flips open to show two complementary eyeshadows, while the other unlocks a lip colour and matching gloss. This is what we call a talking point touch-up. Lancome Destiny Cube Secret Game for Eyes and Lips, $105, from Level 1, Isetan Scotts

Synthetic brushes don't feel as soft, but because they are stiffer, they hold their form better and are good for foundation, lip and liner applications.

Some synthetic brushes are mixed with natural fibres to give a better feel on the skin.

If budget is an issue, buy a mix of natural and synthetic brushes. Tip: Visit an art supplies shop and buy natural hair paint brushes. They do the job just as well and cost less.

- Size matters

Brushes that are too long or too short tend to be difficult to handle. The ideal brush handle should be comparable in length to a ballpoint pen and should offer a good grip, but not so heavy that it puts a strain on your arm.

- Brush shapes

They can be full, flat or angled, and they're suited for different functions.

Foundation brushes are flatter and mid-sized with a curved head to get at tight nooks around and under the eyes.

Powder/blusher brushes are fuller and more bulbous, so as to deposit more product. Slanted, more angled brush heads are better if you do a lot of cheek contouring.

For eyeshadow brushes, look for soft yet firm bristles. It should have a slightly curved head so it's easier to do blending over your eye contour.

Lip brushes come in rounded or slanted tips, suited for different kinds of definition. Angled tips give better precision when shaping the lip contours, while a rounder brush gives a softer finish.