I thought I'd talk a little bit about makeup today. I'm no makeup artist, but I've been using makeup to experiment with different looks for about 10 years now.
I often get asked what products I use, and how to get the most out of them. These are my key items!
Foundation is one of THE most important parts of your makeup bag. Some of you may be lucky enough in that you don't feel you need to wear it (and never let anyone pressure you into believing you should), but unfortunately I feel (and have done for years) far more comfortable with it on. A good base foundation will also allow you to experiment with stronger eye makeup.
I use Lily Lolo's Mineral Foundation. You may have heard of mineral foundation, which was first made popular by american company Bare Escentuals (called Bare Minerals in the UK). Mineral foundation is created without the nasty chemicals and perfumes that other foundation may have, and is supposedly good for oily or acne-prone skin. Now almost every makeup brand has their own line of mineral makeup, which I'm dubious about. I would rather support a small brand, that have a much more affordable range than Bare Minerals, that also allow you to buy small sample pots to test your colour.
I've always hated liquid foundations, and since using mineral foundations, have found my skin is particularly happy. The coverage lasts all day and you can control how much foundation you put on incredibly easily, as you build up the coverage in layers. I can honestly say that wearing this foundation is like wearing nothing at all. If you are hunting for a good foundation for oily skin or mid-range skin, try this out.
I use two colours, Blondie, then Porcelain. I also use their concealer in Blondie and blusher in Rosy Apple.
Eyes
Eyeliner - I swear by Collection 2000 liquid eyeliner. Not only is it extremely cheap (£2.99) but it lasts for over a month (using it every day) and is a strong enough black to create a bold line.
Eyebrows - Rimmel's eyebrow pencils are perfect for what I need. You probably weren't stupid enough to shave your eyebrows off at age 14, but unfortunately I was. Despite my complaints, I don't really have any urge to grow them back as it allows me some flexibility. I draw my eyebrows on slightly higher than my natural brow bone, plus it allows me to do crazy eyebrow shapes (most often, the John Galliano/Pat McGrath 1920's wobbly-brow that I fell in love with a few years ago).
Day to day, it takes me about 1 minute to draw each brow, if that, and I draw them on fairly thickly reminiscent of real (well cared for) eyebrows.
Last year I shot a few images of Amelia Arsenic, one of which was used for a Sugarpill flyer, and they were kind enough to send me over a selection of their gorgeous makeup. Now I'm hooked! I love the vibrancy of their pigments, so I use them pretty much every time I DJ or shoot.
Wearing heavy makeup means you must look after your skin both before and after. Before starting your makeup routine make sure you have moisturised your face and used a good primer (any suggestions?), which will help the makeup stay and keep it's vibrancy.
You will also need to pay attention to removing your makeup also. Personally, I use baby wipes and then Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish. First, you massage the cream across your face, without trying to rub it into the skin too much. Then use the soft muslin cloth dipped in warm water to remove the cream.
For this look I used Goldilux and Asylum from Sugarpill as well as a cherry red from Ben Nye.
Lipstick is a dark red Urban Decay with Goldilux pigment spattered across the middle.
