It's time to mess with your make-up

If you're expecting another rendition of how to achieve "perfect" make-up, stop reading now. Instead, women everywhere can rejoice, because the backlash against the airbrushed image has begun. The hippest look this season is messy make-up.

Thanks to the likes of Lily Allen, the Geldof girls and Hollywood's Camilla Belle and Anne Hathaway, smudgy eyes, "frayed" lips and unkempt brows are the latest way to make a statement with your make-up.

"The distressed make-up look is more wearable - it's not about perfection," says Bobbi Brown's Paul Herrington. "We're saying goodbye to the precise make-up of old and going for an edgier, slightly worn look."

But before you wreak havoc with your eyeshadow, there's an art to achieving "ungroomed glamour". We asked top make-up artists to share their secrets, so you look fashionably imperfect - and not just a mess.

THE IMPERFECT EYE

The look: Seen at every autumn/winter catwalk show from Roberto Cavalli to Marni, the new heavily kohled, smudgy eye embraces "slippage" and has already been showcased by Daisy Lowe, Alexa Chung and the Geldof girls.

Make it work: The key to looking seductively smudged - rather than just tired - is preparation, says catwalk make-up artist Kay Montano. "Ensure under-eye circles and blemishes are concealed, then apply a thick line of soft pencil eyeliner (brown is more flattering) to the base of the lashes and smudge it upwards and outwards with your fingers. A sweep of the new Chanel Noir Obscur black mascara (£20.50, www.selfridges.com) will add definition and open the eyes up."

Quick tip: To get artfully oiled eyelids in an instant, try MAC's new Greasepaint Stick eye colour (£13, www.maccosmetics.co.uk from October).

THE KISSED-OFF LOOK

The look: The clue is in the name. So forget fiddly lip brushes - as both Sienna Miller and Lily Allen have already shown, the messy make-up look dictates that edges will be frayed and colour smudged.

Make it work: "Lip colours should be pressed on, to prevent them from looking too even," says Herrington. "Slather your lips with Bobbi Brown lip balm then use your fingers to pat on the Pale Pink Blush (£13 and £16, www.bobbibrown.co.uk), concentrating the colour around where your lips meet." Note: lipstick-caked teeth are still a no-no.

Quick tip: Make your lips look bitten by patting on a classic red from Lancôme's new Colour Fever Matte range of scarlet lipsticks (£17.50 each, www.harveynichols.com)