BEAUTY experts in Bolton are on hand to help ladies avoid the dreaded foundation tidemark.

Boots’ colour match service, for its No 7 Stay Perfect range, helps customers avoid the common make-up pitfall of foundation stopping at the jawline to give a naturally flawless complexion.

One of three advisors at the branch in Mealhouse Lane carries out a skin consultation ahead of using a handheld device to identify the colour of a customer's skin to precisely target the closest matches of 17 colours.

Gemma Hill, aged 24, who has worked there since January 2012, said: “We will work out their skin type from what they tell us.

“Then we ask about their skin concerns.

“We ask them what kind of skin care regime they are using at the moment.

“If you don’t have the correct skin care, the foundation isn’t going to look right.”

Gemma, who lives in Bury, cleansed and toned my skin before applying the new No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum which has been flying off the shelves since it launched last month.

After seven years of research, reformulation and further extensive scientific testing, Boots UK launched the two new serums which have been clinically proven to be even more effective at reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Gemma said: “As skin ages, your second layer starts to break apart and the first layer will start to sink into the second.

“What the serum is doing, it boosts the collagen and elastin in the skin, making the second layer stronger.

“I’ve been using that serum for a week and I have noticed more of a glow in my skin.”

Customers can ask advice for any other skin concerns, including premature aging, open pores and rosacea, for which different products can be recommended.

Gemma then applied a day moisturiser before using the device to check the colour of my skin as part of the No7 Foundation Match Made Service.

It matched my cheeks with soft rose but my jawline and neck with cool vanilla so we opted for the latter to create an even skin tone, natural and radiant look.

As well as the Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation, she also applied primer, blusher in soft damson and BB lips gloss in Blink Pink to finish.

Gemma said: “It’s very popular, people can just come in.

“If they want the full works, we can do on the spot makeovers or we do bookings for special occasions.”