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Wednesday 19 September 2012

Expert tips and recommendations for great products from a professional make-up artist

Recently I was lucky enough to work Carol Maye, a fantastic make-up artist.  I spent a great day with her on a photo shoot and she shared all sorts of hints and tips with me, which I thought that you may also like. So, Carol has kindly shared her top five tips and top five make-up products with us.

Tried and tested by a true (and independent) professional, you can rely on the fact that Carol understands where we are coming from - and where we are trying to go. So, over to you Carol!

"The secret of a beautiful face isn't an expensively assembled makeup bag or difficult application techniques - it's about using the right products in the right places to bring your natural beauty to the fore.


Mick Jagger videos, glamorous Hello shoots, Cosmopolitan, Red and Mail on Sunday features - these are some of the many freelance makeup jobs that I have done.
 
[Me with Robert Plant on a photo shoot!]
 

Women from Caprice and Coleen Rooney to Karren Brady and even Ashleigh and Pudsey have been prepared for photo shoots and red carpet events by me.
 


In over 20 years as a makeup artist I have learnt many techniques that can give the subtle enhancement that we want to achieve in our day to day lives.
I have put together 5 top makeup tips to help create a youthful, polished look.

1. Firstly foundation. Less is definitely more. Try using a lightweight tinted moisturiser only where you need coverage. Always leave the delicate skin underneath eyes uncovered. Foundation sits in and emphasises fine lines so can actually age you if used too liberally. For this reason go easy on the powder too.

2. Go for a cream blusher. Choose a colour similar to a natural flush and use on the apples of the cheeks to give your complexion a youthful glow.

3.Eyelash curlers used prior to mascara will open up and emphasise eyes without the need for an unflattering overload of mascara.

4. A dot of irridescent white powder on the inside corner of the eye, next to the tear duct will brighten and widen even tired eyes.

5. Finally a slick of lipstick in a punchier shade of your own lip colour will instantly add polish and give a look of youthfulness.

Five top products that I have found invaluable are:-

1.Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser by Liz Earle used regularly helps create the perfect fresh faced base for makeup.

2. Touche Eclat by YSL- yes the first and still the best of the light reflecting and brightening pens. Use wherever the skin looks greyish to wake it up. Also use as a highlight to give the illusion of fuller lips and lifted eyes.


3. Eye lash curlers by Shisheido or Shu Umuera - both will curl even the straightest lashes.

4. Posey cream blush by Mac gives a very natural looking flush that works for most complexions.


5. Great lash mascara by Maybelline - still one of the best available for giving natural looking, thick, lengthened lashes that can be layered up without clumping.

I hope that you have found my make-up tips and choice of products helpful.  If you would like to book a bespoke makeup lesson with me at my Edgbaston studio, please just follow the link to my website Carol Maye make-up"    
 
These are my sort of tips fantastic, easy to use but with maximum impact - thanks Carol!