15 MAKE UP ARTISTS SECRETS

Behind every gorgeous red carpet face is a good make-up artist. One of the magical creatures who can create wobble-free flicks and chiselled cheeks in seconds. Who put the #flawless in Beyonce, and switch on Rosie Huntington-Whitely’s inner lightbulb. Thanks to our crack team of make-up artists, we normal folk can get now get red carpet-worthy makeovers in 20 minutes or less. But we’re still desperate to know the insider tricks that keep the A-List looking like they’ve made a deal with the devil. So, after much wheedling and cajoling, we’ve managed to get our blow LTD make-up artists to share their tricks of the trade too.
They’ve delivered 1,000s of beauty services for time-poor women in our London beauty bars, and their experience covers Clean Bandit, The Theory of Everything, Millie Mackintosh, Pirates of the Caribbean and a certain Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous. So, it’s safe to say these guys know their stuff.

1. Anchor Your Liner

“When applying gel or cream eye liner, always apply your mascara first. When the mascara sets, it acts as an anchor to stop your brush from slipping down, allowing you to create a super sharp mistake-free line quickly and easily.” - Emma Glover
Emma Recommends: Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liner in Noir and Faux Lash Mascara

2. Brows On Fleek

“Don’t have any eyebrow product to hand? Just use a matte brown eye shadow or contour powder. Make sure to apply with a fine brush to imitate small hairs, and build up slowly to the brow shape you want.” - Anna Lubbock
We Used: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

3. New Isn’t Always Best

“Always keep your old mascara. New mascaras are often too ‘wet’ and require combing through to stop clumping, so if you have your last one to hand, you can use it to comb through your lashes and take off the excess. The excess mascara will be saved on your old mascara wand, and can be used later when you want a very natural look!” - Anna Lubbock

4. Adapt Your Blush

“Match your blushers to your skin tone. Fair skin should go for soft pinks, light corals and peach. Medium toned skin needs rich pinks, warm mauve and deep peach, and deep fuchsia, warm brown and tangerine will look amazing on dark skins.” - Fatima Hussain
Shop our Blushes!

5. Contour Can Do More

“A contouring palette is a great multitasker. As well as contouring the face, the different shades can be used as eyeshadow. Apply a darker brown shade along the eye crease for definition, and to create a super natural summer look.” - Alexandra Stephens
Alexandra Recommends: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

6. Easy Peasy Brows

“The Brow Wiz is one of Anastasia Beverly Hill’s best-known brow products, but her Tinted Brow Gel is worth shouting about too. It’s great for creating a natural but sculpted brow in one swipe, and has one of the best range of tinted brow gel shades out there.” - Jessica Layne

7. Bright Eyes

“To make your eyes appear bigger and brighter, apply white pencil liner in the waterline, and a lighter iridescent shade to go in the inner corner of your eyelids. Only a tiny amount is needed to make your eyes pop.” - Fatima Hussain
Fatima Recommends: FACE Stockholm Dream Cream Eyeshadow in Charmeuse

8. Instant Pick Me Up

“A life saving product for my customers is Kose Cell Radiance Serum. It’s ideal for time conscious city workers who need an instant pick me up, as it boosts the skin with hydration, instantly relaxes the skin and leaves a great canvas for make-up.” - Esther Casale

9. Lock in Lash Curl

“If your lashes always fall flat, apply a layer of waterproof mascara immediately after using your curlers. This dries quicker than regular mascara and sets the lashes. Once dry, you can then lightly layer your normal mascara over the top.” - Emma Glover
Emma Recommends: Eyeko Lash Curler & FACE Stockholm Water Resistant Volumizing Mascara

10. Banish Dark Circles

“Colour correcting is a great way to hide imperfections by, for example, using a green tinted concealer to hide blemishes. My favourite (and most effective trick) however, is to use a pink or salmon-toned concealer under the eye to counteract blue tones – eliminating dark circles in seconds.” - Francesca Jeffery-Green
Francesca Recommends: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

11. Learn To Tightline

“Tightlining is easy to do, and a super fast way to enhance your eyes. Run a black or brown eye pencil under the upper lash line to make lashes appear fuller and darker, without it looking like there’s anything there.” - Francesca Jeffery-Green
Francesca Recommends: Laura Mercier Longwear Creme Eye Pencil in Noir

12. Long-lasting Lips

“Make your lipstick last longer by applying a matching lip pencil all over your your lips first. Let it set, then apply your lipstick over the top with a brush.” - Emma Glover
We Used: FACE Stockholm Lip Liner in Mimi and Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Dulce De Leche

13. Double Up Your Glue

“If you’re a false lashes lover, give yourself some extra security by doubling up on glue. Add a layer of glue along the lash, allow it to dry, then add another layer before applying to the eye once tacky. This gives the lash a stronger hold to the eye lid, and prevents it drifting down your face halfway through the night!” - Anna Lubbock
We love: Eyeko Lash Wardrobe

14. Get To Grips With Your Base

“Primer? BB? What does it all mean? Moisturizing before make-up smooths your skin for a better canvas, but there’s more. BB cream (aka Beauty Balms) will add a layer of sheer coverage and additional moisture to your skin, while a glowy primer like Laura Mercier’s Radiance Bronze will brighten the colours you use, and extend the life of your make-up.” - Fatima Hussain
We Love: Kose Illuminate and Replenish Tinted Cream BB+

15. Reorder Your Routine

“Rearrange the usual running order of how you do your make-up. After moisturising and priming your skin, go straight onto your eye make-up and leave your undereye concealer and foundation until afterwards. Then, if any eyeshadow or mascara falls down or smudges, you can wipe it away quickly and cleanly without the bother of redoing your face.” - Emma Glover
Book a makeover for a one-on-one session with our make-up experts. Spend £50 in-store, and get your £20 makeover FREE!
Words: Emma Cooke
Photos: Emma Cooke & Francesca Jeffery-Green
  
Emma cooke et Marion Colley