Keeping it stylish
INTERNATIONAL MAKE-UP AND HAIR ARTIST DENNY CLEMENTS DOLES OUT LEGIT BEAUTY ADVICE
The UAE is known as a beauty hub where the latest trends are right up your alley. Case in point is the presence of spas and salons on every other street around town catering to the beauty-conscious habitants of the region.
Hair and make-up stylists cutting across nationalities land on the sunny shores of the UAE, bringing with them their reservoirs of talent. However, not many can boast of a client list as enviable as the cast members of Game of Thrones. But Liverpool, England native Denny Clements can. A certified hair and make-up artist with over nine years of experience, Clements has created stunning looks in a number of local and international venues. Her laudable creative imagination and skills have landed her projects with famed magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Condé Nast Traveler, OK! Magazine and Villa 88. Apart from working alongside actors from Game of Thrones, she has displayed her hair and make-up expertise on shows such as Emmerdale, The Borgia’s and Uk-based Channel 4 TV shows such as Love Island, Geordie Shore and I’m a Celebrity...get Me Out of Here!.
A versatile stylist, Denny specialises in all genres, and can skilfully create any look that is desired, from natural daytime to dramatic theatrical. In the UAE, she is sought after for high-profile private functions and by modelling agencies.
Speaking with Panorama, she lets us in on her whirlwind journey alongwith make-up and beauty tips every woman should follow.
What led you to the beauty business profession?
I have always been artistic and creative and enjoyed creating hair and make-up looks since I was a young girl. Once I left high school, I decided to take a two-year course giving me all the knowledge I needed to pursue my passion further.
How would you describe your style of work?
My work is very fresh. My main goal
with all my clients is making the face pop, thereby enhancing their best features.
Whom do you look up to for inspiration in the glamour industry?
Pat Mcgrathfor sure has been one of my biggest inspirations since college.
You have worked with actors from hit shows such as Game of
Thrones and Love Island among others? Can celebs be finicky?
Not from my experience. They have all been lovely. I am always left to work my magic.
How was the experience working for renowned international magazines such as Cosmopolitan and OK! to name a few?
I seem to always have great fun working with the magazines, I mostly enjoy doing editorials.
What brought you from Liverpool to the sunny shores of Dubai?
I visited family here in Dubai, then I didn’t want to leave. I loved to be in the city and to also have the beach. It’s a dream come true!
How would you describe the UAE hair and make-up scene?
It’s very glamorous. Most women here want to look and feel their best at all times.
What are the current trending styles one can try out in hair and make-up?
Make-up looks are definitely moving towards softer glam and the no-make-up makeup look and for hair people are asking for the ‘not tried too hard look,’ such as waves and loose hair styles instead of updos that are rock hard with hair spray.
With summer here how should one go about creating the perfectly light make-up look?
For myself I would prep my skin then use the following:
Fixing spay on the skin to help keep the makeup in place.
Illuminating primer to give the skin a nice fresh glow.
Lightly applied concealer under the eyes and maybe around the nose.
Oil-free foundation applied with a beauty blender giving just enough coverage to cover any blemishes, leaving the skin looking flawless. If needed apply more concealer over any areas still showing any redness or dark circles.
A touch of contour stick very lightly just enhancing the cheek bones, jaw lines, and minimising the forehead if needed. Mascara on the lashes Brow mascara or brow gel, pencil depends on the brows. I have a thick brow and like to leave them natural and brush them through with a gel to keep in place.
Cream blush in peach pink or whatever your colour is added on the apple of the cheek (using cream application to keep it as fresh and natural as possible).
Cream highlight on the centre of the nose, top of the cheek bones, under eye brow and cupboards brow — all depending on your face shape.
Touch of tinted balm on the lips.
Finish again with fixing spray. Now, you’re good to go!
Which are the items/ tools of make-up you don’t leave home without?
Lip-liner, tinted lip balm, moisturiser and mascara.
The fundamental beauty advice everyone should follow?
Take care of your skin keeping it hydrated and protected from the sun and keeping up with your daily skin care routine with whatever product suits your skin type best. And then when it comes to doing your make-up, you will find you have such a nicer finish than before.
You can follow Denny Clements on Instagram: @dennymakeupdxb