Q. I would like to remove the soft downy hair on my cheeks to give a better finish to my foundation. Can you suggest a cream or some other measure? A. Any facial depilatory cream should be fine but it will need frequent applications. There are other possible methods of which threading is the one we suggest you consider.

Thought to have originated in India 6,000 years ago, this technique was developed for use on very short facial hairs and is becoming increasingly popular in the West. The practitioner uses a thin cotton or polyester thread, which is doubled and twisted. Holding both ends, she (invariably it’s a woman) rolls and loops the cotton incredibly quickly over the areas of unwanted hair, plucking out lines at the follicle level. Your skin will be very smooth and the results should last for two to six weeks. With regular threading, the hairs should weaken over time.

If you want to try this, do make sure you find an experienced practitioner. The best way to start is to ask people locally.  Otherwise you could try a London salon such as Vaishaly. The details are on the website: www.vaishaly.com.

Shaving is another method that is gaining currency. While this used to be met with cries of horror, fans say that it is simple, cheap and also, rather surprisingly, their skin improves. The long-held belief that shaving makes hair in this area grow back thicker is said to be a myth. The Brow Shaper by Lilibeth of New York, £11.50 for a set of two on QVC, is said to be ideal for using on the sides of the face too.

The specialist industry website for cosmetic surgery and treatments, www.consultingroom.com, gives details of DMK Alkaline Wash for Permanent Hair Reduction, which has been specifically designed to reduce fine downy hair. A paste made of alkaline powder is applied for a few minutes to dissolve the hair part of the underlying follicle. With regular treatments, regrowth is said to become slower and ultimately cease for most people. The only side effect, apparently, is possible temporary redness after treatment. (NB we have not tried this treatment.)

Finally, a thought on applying foundation: using a brush can make all the difference to an impeccable airbrushed finish. We love the O WOW brush, £20 from Victoria Health. With short velvet-like bristles and ultra-fine fibres, and an angled handle that makes getting into every nook and cranny a doddle, this is quite the best foundation brush we have ever found.