British Prime Minister Gordon Brown faced embarrassment over the publication of details on his use of make-up and a fake tan.

Photo : Andrew Yates/AFP

According to the Sun newspaper, the make-up tips were left behind in a taxi by a junior adviser and handed over by the cab driver.

The instructions advise that the British leader, 58, should use a super-balanced make-up, "all over again, like painting a wall, and ears."

His face should be foamed all over to give it "that certain glow" and, as a finishing touch, a bronzing powder should be applied with a dark brush. "Slap on fake tan bronzer." "Small pot under eyes, dimple, creases, blend in," goes the advice on using a concealer.

Brown's office said the note was accidentally left behind by a junior member of staff. It thanked the Sun for returning it. "The PM (Prime Minister), like everyone on TV, is required to wear make-up," said Downing Street.

The embarrassment comes at the height of a scandal over excessive expenses claims by parliamentarians and a general decline in the popularity of the ruling Labour Party, down to 23 per cent in a poll published over the weekend.