Secrets of a Makeup Artist
As a makeup artist I am asked by so many women of all ages for tips and makeup lessons have become a hugely popular aspect of my personal styling business.
So by popular demand, here are a few pointers….
The basics
Getting the base right for your base is the secret to a flawless complexion. Select the correct type of moisturiser for your skin type, wait for it to sink in, then add a light serum such as Gucci’s Silk Priming Serum which will blur fine lines and enlarged pores, ready for a smooth application of foundation. For extra staying power I often add another primer on top of this such as Laura Mercier’s foundation primer. Your skin will appear far more even and your make up will last from day to night.
Avoid puffy eyes
Apply a soothing eye gel to reduce any puffiness - two teaspoons kept in the fridge are also fantastic for this - then apply your usual eye cream (underneath only) and wait for this to sink in. Keep foundation away from the under-eye area as this can increase the puffiness. Stick to a specifically formulated concealer - my favourite is High Precision Retouch by Georgio Armani - which will sit lightly and diffuse any crows feet. If you need to blend this in with the rest of your face use a tiny bit of foundation on a beauty blender or a touch of powder.
Eyeshadow Base
Keep concealer away from your lids as it can add unwanted oil which will cause your eye makeup to slip off. Instead, use a long-lasting base such as MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot or Laura Mercier’s Eye Basics over the whole lid to even out the colour. Set this with a touch of powder then apply your eyeshadow - the colours will be more true and it will stay put.
Blend Properly
Use a specific blending brush to softly blend your bronzer, blusher or eyeshadow. Work in very light small circles but be careful not to push the product away from the area that you want it. You want to avoid any hard edges to achieve a polished look.
Check your brows
The brows are undoubtedly the feature which have the most impact on the rest of your face so take the time to get these right. Your brows should start directly above the edge of your nostrils; hold a ruler vertically against the sides of your nose to check this. If you then line up the ruler from the bottom of your nose to outer edge of your eye, your brows should finish further along the same line. Finally if you look dead ahead, take the ruler and line it up with with edge of your nostril and the centre of your pupil - the arch should fall along this line. Use a lighter shade to get the general shape, then a darker colour to draw in individual hairs so they look realistic. Benefit have an amazing range of eyebrow products but if all else fails, microblading is fantastic.
Glow
A touch of carefully applied highlighter can make a huge difference, but be light handed or you’ll shine like a christmas bauble. My favourite product at the moment is Benefit’s Watt’S Up. I blend a little on the tops of my cheekbones, the bridge of my nose and along my cupids bow.
Prep your lips
Lipstick can wear off very quickly, or worse, lips can get dry. Preparing your lips properly ensures they look and feel great all day.
A quick exfoliation with lip balm and a toothbrush is the best way to get rid of any dry skin and plump them up. Then add another slick of lip balm and leave it to sink in while you apply the rest of your make up. When you are ready, wipe off the excess balm, add a primer such as Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion or even a concealer, line the lips and fill them in, add your lipstick, blot, and reapply. Sharpen up the lip line with a touch of concealer on a brush and you’re good to go.
