ENEMIES with the magnifying mirror? One in five women worry about their skin every single day, according to a new survey.

Almost 4/5 of women (78%) believe airbrushing should be banned in cosmetic advertising to put a halt to unrealistic images, the Bio-Oil results revealed.

But uber-flawless skin is now within everyone's reach with the latest beauty products on the shelves... The new wave of BB creams, primers and skin illuminating bases eliminate the need for bucketloads of make-up because they do all the beautifying groundwork for you.

The result? A subtle dose of anti-ageing, mattifying and radiance boosting that provides the smoothest canvas possible for your make-up.

You'll look like you, only better.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREP

Make-up minus the prep stage is like wearing an outfit without underwear.

It's not something that should be scrimped on if you want to achieve skin-transforming results.

"Make-up directly applied to unprepped skin always magnifies flaws such as dryness or uneven skintone," says make-up artist Daniel Sandler.

"Prepping skin helps with speed of make-up application and gets an even and more flawless result. Ultimately it is all about results - primers and other skin preps can help a woman look her very best and make her other products work harder."

The prepping stage is especially important if you're working a bold statement lip. When your pout is the focus, the rest of your face needs to be flawless so it doesn't detract from your chosen feature.

BB BEAUTY

In the last year, BB creams have been multiplying on the shelves at a rate of knots. Just about every brand boasts their own version but many beauty consumers are still baffled about what they actually offer.

The concept, 'Beauty Balm' or 'Blemish Balm' first gained popularity in Asia where immaculate skin is a key concern.

"BB creams are designed to save you time and space in your make-up bag," explains No7 creative director, Lisa Eldridge.

"This make-up innovation is a primer, foundation and concealer in one tube. They give you a good base for make-up, even out complexion and also act as a skincare product by hydrating - your one-stop shop to flawless, beautiful skin."

PRIME PERFECTION

The key product backstage at every fashion show is the humble primer. They can offer staying power and lasting luminosity - so that's goodbye to constant reapplications and touch-ups.

A primer's skin perfecting powers also have the bonus of anti-ageing, so it's well worth adding in that all-important extra step before your base.

"Primers can help reduce the signs of ageing instantly by filling lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone, much like a moisturiser," Eldridge explains.

"Not only do they even out skin tone but they allow make-up to stay on longer and give you more radiant looking skin."

Picture-perfect skin can be yours within minutes post-primer.

FAKING IT FOUNDATIONS

A flawless complexion isn't out of reach with the clever transforming foundations now available.

Try these bases for a perfecting makeover in minutes:

• Diorskin Nude Skin-Glowing Make-Up, £31 (Selfridges)

• Max Factor All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, £11.99, available mid-September (nationwide)

• Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Bare Perfection Make-up, £24 (Boots)

• Avon Ideal Flawless Matte Mousse Foundation, £10.50 (www.avonshop.co.uk)

• No7 Instant Radiance Foundation, £12.95 (Boots)

• Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Make-up, £24.50 (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk)

• Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h Re-Touch Free Divine Perfection, £27 (www.lancome.co.uk)

• Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation, £10.99 (Boots)