Shake up your make-up
Get the glow with clever textures and easy techniques, and have fun with the myriad virtual services available online, says beauty assistant Medina Azaldin.
KEEPING IT REAL
Gone are summer’s glossy cheekbones and in comes a more natural, or as make-up artist Pat Mcgrath calls it, ‘plush’ finish that’s fresh and healthy-looking and requires little upkeep throughout the day. ‘We’re moving away from extreme textures and settling into a more real place,’ she explains. ‘Not ultra-shiny or too matte.’ The new crop of bases, from soft matte foundations to melt-in-your-skin concealers, are all elegantly formulated to provide coverage without masking your natural complexion. The trick is in the application, and Pat knows best. ‘You want the skin to look perfected but real,’ advises Pat, whose base routine starts with the lightest touch of foundation, concealing only where needed, and pressing a sheer layer of airy-light powder on the forehead, sides of the nose and chin, if they’re prone to shine. ‘Get what you need with minimum product first, then determine how much more needs to be done.’ Tap transparent balms on to cheekbones for the illusion of lit-from-within radiance. Pat describes the look as ‘believable and beautiful’. Exactly what we all want. Great buys include… Clinique Even Better All-over Concealer + Eraser (1), £23; Chanel Ultra Le Teint Fluide foundation (2), £40;
Pat Mcgrath Labs Skin Fetish: Highlighter + Balm Duo (3), £45; Max Factor Miracle Second Skin Foundation (4), £12.99; Shiseido Synchro Skin Gelstick Concealer (6), £29; Revolution Pro Translucent Hydra Matte Setting Powder, £8.
FRESHLY SCULPTED
Is there anything quite as pretty as blush? The right shade and technique will gently define your features while maintaining a youthful freshness. Try ‘reverse contouring’, which promises a soft, post-summer warmth and is subtle enough for pairing with autumn’s brighter lips and party-ready eyes. ‘Sweep the blush from the centre of the cheek towards the hairline instead of applying product underneath the cheekbones,’ suggests Bobbi Brown’s lead make-up artist Jodie Boland. Concentrating the colour on the apples of the cheeks can feel doll-like, so blend thoroughly. According to Jodie, shades that match your skin’s undertone work best for a natural look. A rich cocoa-rose restores radiance in very deep complexions, while cool, dusky pink complements paler tones. Those with golden undertones can’t go wrong with warm apricots or corals. Opt for finely milled powders or creams in shimmer-free formulas for a clean, grown-up effect. I rate… Glossier Cloud Paint in Storm (7), £15; NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder Blush Matte in Red Riot (8), £6; IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush in Naturally Pretty (9), £23; Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny (10),
£21; Nars Blush in Behave (11), £25.
SCREEN TIME
Can’t imagine yourself in fuchsia lipstick or cobalt eyeshadow? Now you can, thanks to advances in AI technology and trailblazing brands, such as L’oréal Paris and MAC that offer virtual try-ons impressively mimicking a real-life experience. It’s another tool for companies to up their customer engagement, yes, but it’s also a fun way to experiment with endless colours (let’s be honest, we’ve all wondered what it’s like to wear lime green on the eyes). This month, Max Factor will also display QR codes that direct us to an online foundation finder in lieu of physical testers, as stores take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. Elsewhere, online-only cosmetics brands, such as Il Makiage and Emolyne, make colour-matching easy via their websites. Select the model whose complexion closely resembles your own and up come recommendations. Simple! Try on… Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation (5), £36; L’oréal Paris Infallible Matte Lip Crayon in Mon Cinnamon (12), £9.99; Emolyne Metamorphosis Velvet Semi-matte Lipstick in Tanzania (13), £21; MAC Dazzleshadow Extreme in Emerald Cut (14), £17.50.