"Girls have to find their own styles first and learn that they do not have to make a grab for so much colour," says Simone Bernard of Dr Scheller Cosmetics in Eislingen, Germany.

"They should create accents with a small amount of make-up," advises Annette Kreuels of Lancome cosmetics.

One of the most common beauty mistakes is emphasising the eyes as well as the lips. A woman who does not want to end up with exaggerated make-up has to decide which of the two will dominate, says Antje Bruene of Germany's association of cosmetic vendors in Wiesbaden.

To create a discreet look, just a few make-up tools are enough. Two musts are mascara and lip-gloss, the latter being especially trendy right now, adds Bruene.

Girls who have little practice in applying make-up can achieve a big impact with little effort by using lip-gloss. Unlike lipstick, lip-gloss does not require the mouth to be prepped with powder or lined before it is applied.

"Cautiously" is how beauty experts say girls should apply eyeliner. Heavy black lines can make the eyes look small. To avoid this, try out eyeliner in a discreet brown, Kreuels suggests. A little bit of colour under the eye or on the eyelid is enough to create an expressive look.

Experts also recommend lighter tones in eye shadow. In early spring, pastel tones are especially popular, says Bernard. Finding the right tone of eye shadow can determine an entire outfit.

Teenagers usually can do without a heavy foundation. A day cream with a bit of colour in it or a compact powder is usually more than enough for young skin.

Girls who have skin problems can choose an antibacterial make-up, Bernard suggests. If an occasional pimple appears despite the use of the cream, it is not necessary to cover the entire face. Instead the pimple can be covered with a concealer that also works as a disinfectant.

Whether there are pimples or not, it is very important to cleanse the face thoroughly every evening.

"Removing the make-up is very important. No matter how tired you are, the mascara must come off," said Bruene. Skin that is not well cleansed cannot breathe and regenerate itself overnight.

Hygiene is equally important in handling make-up. For example, Kreuels suggests washing out the sponge in the face powder compact once a week.

As for selecting and applying perfume, light, fresh fragrances are most suitable for girls, Bruene says. However, everything should be measured carefully, especially when a perfume is worn repeatedly over a long period of time.

A girl's own nose can become "blind" to the scent and applications can become heavier every time, notes Werner Hariegel of Germany's organisation for perfume shops.

Those who can afford it should buy a few different perfumes so they can alternate wearing them, said Bruenes. And even though a lot of girls do it, perfume should not be sprayed directly on a sweater or T-shirt. Perfume is meant to be sprayed on bare skin, adds Hariegel.