Urban Decay Boutique

THE ARTIST Amy McKnight

THE DEAL Choose from a menu of options; one quick feature (like flicky eyeliner) is free; extended session (45 minutes) is €35; full makeover is €55, all redeemable against purchase.

THE EXPERIENCE There’s a make-up lounge upstairs in the Urban Decay Boutique on Dublin’s Grafton Street, and here’s where they do everything from consultations to group lessons. Amy is the senior artist and very personable. I asked for an impactful day look, and we decided to try the new Naked Honey palette. I was also colour-matched for two different foundations and given samples of each to take home. Amy’s makeup was excellent, and looked good on Instagram, which I’d asked to be a priority. The look lasted well and proved her versatility, giving me a face void of glitter, cut creases and highly defined brows, as I’d expect from such a creative brand. My experience was enhanced by additional prep and setting products, which Urban Decay does so well, and I left with a face chart detailing what was used where, and a cute make-up bag filled with four handy deluxe samples (mini eyeliner, mascara, eye primer and All Nighter Setting Spray), which I’ve brought everywhere with me since.

HERO PRODUCTS I loved the Brow Blade tool (pencil and powder), Perversion Mascara (really, really black) and the Eyeshadow Primer, which Amy mixed with foundation for a really great base. Amy also used a dark Stay Naked Concealer (in shade 60) for contour, which worked well.

WHAT I CHANGED While I absolutely loved the strong lipstick (Vice Lipstick in Liar), I toned it down for daytime and reapplied back again later that evening.