MAXINE GORDON finds out how to inject some red carpet glamour into your make-up routine

SHEHLA Shaikh knows a thing or two about making an impact on the red carpet.

Her job is to make sure stars look their best at one of the biggest events in the celebrity calendar - at the annual Baftas.

Leading beauty brand Lancôme has worked at the Baftas for 15 years, as an official sponsor. And as head of Lancôme's elite team of make-up artists, Shehla's job is to make sure stars shine on the night.

"We set up in a suite at the Savoy for the Baftas where we have the nominees, wives of nominees and guests come in to have their make-up done," says Shehla.

While Shehla and her team work on make-up, Charles Worthington and his top stylists are in charge of hair.

Planning begins in August for the February awards ceremony - and in the lead up, Shehla can be working on magazine shoots with an array of famous faces from film and television to promote the event.

Actors Helen Mirren, Hayley Atwell and model Erin O'Connor are just some of the women she has worked with.

When she is not making over stars, Shehla is touring the UK as an ambassador for Lancôme, hosting masterclasses on everything from skin care to the latest beauty looks. She will next be in Fenwick, York, on Wednesday, November 11, hosting workshops on how to create a party look for the festive season.

The red carpet look is not just for the rich and famous who face the glare of TV cameras and paparazzi flashes, says Shehla.

It's a look that can be adopted by all of us - particularly if we are planning a big night out.

"There are three key looks we stick to at the Baftas, which are full-proof," begins Shehla. These are the statement lip, where the focus is on a perfect, long-lasting red lipstick, a dramatic smokey eye, or a balanced look, where no one feature dominates and is ideal for anyone who wants a more subtle effect.

During a visit to Fenwick, York, Shehla demonstrated the statement lip look on model Hannah Moran.

Here's her ten-step beauty report:

1 Clean skin "You must start with clean skin," says Shehla. "If your skin isn't flawless then make-up just won't look right. Clean skin will create the perfect canvas." Shehla recommends using a Clarisonic skin cleaning gadget, which removes six times as much make-up as manual cleansing.

2 Serum This helps create the base for great skin, and a flawless finish to your make-up, says Shehla. By getting the skin to glow before applying foundation, it means you can get away with using less make-up. "It means I don't have to fake the glow with lots of illuminator," says Shehla. She recommends Lancôme's Advanced Génifique Serum. Another tip is to massage products into the skin. "This boosts circulation in the face and helps the natural glow come through," she says.

3 Primer This helps makeup stay in place. "I also use some illuminating primer on the cheekbones."

4 Foundation "I mix a long-wear foundation with a dewy one as I want something with staying power but one that also has the dewiness of a radiant foundation," says Shehla. She applies the foundation with a brush, buffing it into the skin, avoiding the eye area, where she uses concealer instead.

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5 Highlighter Shehla uses the Teint Miracle illuminating pen to add light to the face, concentrating on the middle panel. She paints a large 'V' from the inner eye to the middle of the cheek and back up to the outer eye, and fills it in, using her brush. "It gives you a ten-years-younger result on skin when you put light into the correct places of your face," says Shehla. Other places to highlight include the brow of the eye and the cupid's bow of the top lip.

6 Contour Gentle sweeps of Belle de Teint powder just underneath the cheekbone, help define the face. "It adds warmth to skin and also shape too by defining the cheekbones," says Shehla. Use light, buffing, strokes to keep the look natural. Also use the product on the eye socket to define that area.

7 Brows Brows remain big news. Lancôme has just launched its new long-wearing Sourcils Gel, that defines the brows and last 20 hours. It will be in use at the Baftas, says Shehla. "Brows are really important as they work to frame the face."

8 Eyes If you are going for a statement lip look, don't go OTT on eyes, says Shehla. Some definition with powder, eye pencil and mascara are all you need to make sure lips take centre stage. Shehla uses Lancôme's Grandiôse volumising mascara with its unique "swan" neck, bent at 45 degrees for easier application.

9 Powder Use sparingly - mostly on the T-zone, where people tend to get the most shine. Shehla says: "I don't like an over powdered skin as it tends to be ageing."

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10 Lips Start by brushing concealer on lips to create a neutral base, then powder around the edge. Use a lip pencil to outline and fill in the lip area. Be thorough. "The more you put on, the less it's going to rub off," says Shehla. Apply a lipstick, one that is not too drying, then add a second lip product that contains some shine. Blot lips, then add some more. Shehla says everyone can wear a red lipstick, the trick is to pick one that suits your colouring. "If you have blue or green eyes, go for more of an orange-red. If you are fair, don't go for something too blue."

Shehla will be hosting festive masterclasses in Fenwick, York, on Wednesday, November, 11. Places can be reserved at the York store, for a booking fee of £20, which is redeemable against purchase on the day.