My Beauty Life: Kate Winslet

The actress Kate Winslet on the importance of make-up in film, her beauty secrets and the icon that inspires her

'Make-up is a crucial part of creating a character in film. In The Reader I had to age 20 years, and a great deal of time and thought was put into make-up testing and the final design. I find collaborating with make-up artists tremendous fun. A great trick I have learnt from them is to put mascara on the back of your hand and apply it with a flat metal brush. It really defines the eye.

Fresh air does wonders for my skin so I keep a window open in my room at night for a little bit of breeze. I try to get as much sleep as possible, and drink plenty of water too. Wearing make-up can make a woman feel confident, feminine and celebrated - and I think it also brings a sense of liberation.

My beauty icon is the make-up artist Lisa Eldridge. She is confident in herself and truly loves her job, which makes her a joy to work with.'

IN MY KIT

MORNING MUST: Eau Micellaire Douceur, £23.50, by Lancôme: Tea Tree Face Wash Foam, £10.21, by Thursday Plantation, from Nutriglow

SKIN SECRET: Evenescence C-Boost, POA, by Environ, from Chelleon; Advanced Génifique, £59, by Lancôme

QUICK FIX: Eyelash Curler, £20, by Shu Uemura; Blend Colour Eyeshadow 01, £45, by Suqqu, from Selfridges

HAIR HERO: Volume Boost Hot Brush, £26, by John Frieda; Bain Satin 2 shampoo, £17.50, by Kérastase

TOP SCENT: O de l'Orangerie, £35, by Lancôme; Vol de Nuit, £196, by Guerlain, from Escentual