Backstage at The Collection: Makeup Artists Tips and Tricks!
05-03-2012
As I arrive at Aura, situated in the prestigious St James’ Street of Mayfair, the venue is abustle with hard working energy and models. I’m quickly hurried to the makeup station to see the Makeup Artist’s and Hair Stylists transform the models from bare-skinned to ‘Winter Wonderland’. It was wonderful to see high street products, available to you and I at ease, being used for a catwalk show.
The first stage of preparing the models is skin prep, this removes any oil and smoothes dry skin before the makeup is applied, leaving the models picture perfect. I asked the MUA’s what their favourite products to prep the skin were, you can use this as a part of your every day morning and evening routine:
‘To tone the skin and remove any oil, I really like the Boots Simply Sensitive Toner, again it won’t upset the skin and it’s really affordable.
Simple products are kind to skin and contain natural ingredients, meaning they won’t irritate any of the models’ skin before going on the runway. I use Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser applied to a cotton wool ball, and dap it over dry areas of the skin. For extra dry areas of the skin my favourite product is E45, it’s suitable for all skin types and smooths dry skin really well, it can be used as an all-over moisturiser too!’
Have you spotted the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer lurking between the products? The MUA’s recommend this as their ‘go-to’ primer, commenting that ‘priming the skin is really important if you want your makeup to last, in runway conditions the makeup is under a lot of pressure to stay put, particularly between outfit changes!’. Applied across the whole face the Photo Finish Primer protects the skin under the harsh lighting with its SPF 15 and gives a smooth finish.
Once the skin of the models’ was prepped it was time to begin the makeup, the looks for the show were frosty and themed round ‘Winter Wonderland’, silver shades and foil-effects were hot on The Collection catwalk. I wanted to know what foundations had been laid behind the extravagent looks:
‘So can you tell me some of you favourite products to build a great base?’
‘Of course! I love to use powder’s on the models’ faces, it really stands the test of time under the busy conditions and bright lights. The MAC Prep and Prime Finishing Powder makes a perfect and smooth base, it’s great for dusting over the skin to set foundation and blush too. Make Up Forever are a brand favourite of mine, this sculpting kit consists of two powders which sculpt the face beautifully, I use it to highlight cheek bones. It comes in a great range of shades to suit every skin tone from light to dark – Make Up Forever is hard to get your hands on in the UK but it’s available from PreciousAboutMakeup.com for £25.
Finally, I love MAC Paint Pots, particularly ‘Painterly’ as a base on the eyes. I have ‘Bare Study’ here to give a metallic effect to fit with the Winter Wonderland theme! You can build these pots nicely, they work well used alone or together.’
Image Credit: Nicky Reynolds
The finished looks were fantastic and fitted beautifully with the Winter Wonderland theme, you can see the Make Up Forever palettes coming into their own, giving the models beautiful definition to their cheeks!
Keep your eyes peeled for Backstage at The Collection Part 2, where I show you how to recreate the hairstyles of the models with some high street products, as used on the catwalk!
