THE TIMES: SECRETS OF CELEBRITY BEAUTY EXPERTS
You might not be able to afford the bespoke Alexander McQueen frock that Cate Blanchett wore to the Baftas but take heart: the contents of her make-up bag is far more purse-string-friendly. We asked Hollywood’s biggest make-up artists for the budget products— which you can find in your local Boots — that go into creating those million-dollar smiles. Far more cost-effective than a couture gown and much more versatile too.
Georgina Graham, make-up artist for Jennifer Lopez and Dree Hemingway
You might not be able to afford the bespoke Alexander McQueen frock that Cate Blanchett wore to the Baftas but take heart: the contents of her make-up bag is far more purse-string-friendly. We asked Hollywood’s biggest make-up artists for the budget products— which you can find in your local Boots — that go into creating those million-dollar smiles. Far more cost-effective than a couture gown and much more versatile too.
Georgina Graham, make-up artist for Jennifer Lopez and Dree Hemingway
At this time of year, when skin is suffering from the drying effects of central heating, Skin Food by Weleda (£6.95, hollandandbarrett.com) is a highly moisturising face cream. You can also remove make-up with it — I like to use it as body moisturiser too. I also rate Topshop’s Smoke Stick in Fools Gold (£6.50, topshop.com). The bronze colour suits everyone and you can smudge it around your lash line for a smoky-eye look in under ten seconds.
Wendy Rowe, make-up artist for Burberry, Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller
I always have in my kit the Mattifying Lotion by Avène (£11, boots.com). It reduces unwanted shine without making the skin look too unnatural, so it’s good for photographs — and selfies. Moisturise first, then pat it on to your forehead, around your nose and under your eyes, and apply foundation on top.
Ruby Hammer, make-up artist for Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson
I always come back to Bourjois foundations because they look so natural on skin. Their newest, City Radiance (£9.99, boots.com) is SPF30 and has an anti-pollution screen, which means you don’t need three layers of products on your face. It blends in easily and gives you a good level of coverage too. £6 face cream, £2 concealer.
Jenny Coombs, make-up artist for Suki Waterhouse and Lily Allen
& Other Stories has a wonderful make-up collection. You are basically ready for anything with its Complete Face Palette in Festoon Classics (£12, stories.com). It contains four colours: small circular motions to work it deeply into my skin. This mini massage boosts collagen, which helps to keep the tone and texture of skin in tip-top condition.
Alex Babsky, make-up artist for Naomi Campbell and Naomie Harris
If you find liquid eyeliner fiddly, KIKO’s Daring Look Eye Marker (£8.90, kikocosmetics.com) is really easy to use. I love it because it’s essentially a pen with a really fat barrel that sits comfortably in your hand. Since it’s much easier to handle, I find I can get a bold swish of eyeliner on much less tentatively than if I use a more traditional liquid liner. It’s great for running over the band of a pair of false eyelashes to disguise the join with your eyelid and it’s easy to draw any thickness of line.
Mary Greenwell, make-up artist for Cate Blanchett, Lily James and Amanda Seyfried
I’ve found that the best products aren’t always the most expensive ones. For example, Maybelline and L’Oréal mascaras are fantastic because they often get the same research and development as products from Lancôme and Armani. Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution (£5, escentual.com) is a kit-bag essential for us make-up artists. It’s a wonderful product for softly removing make-up— it’s so gentle it feels like water on your skin.
Jenny Longworth, nail technician for Adele and Kate Winslet
When I haven’t had time to apply a full set of acrylic extensions, I use Kiss Active Oval press-on nails (£4.32, superdrug.com). They are a kit-bag essential of mine too. The nails have just the right contour to fit snugly to models’ nails and the soft oval shape gives a finish that is superfashionable. Plus, they look realistic and are easy to apply.
Naoko Scintu, make-up artist for Karlie Kloss and FKA Twigs
I always aim for glowing, healthylooking skin and Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser by Embryolisse (£10.36, beautybay.com) is a perfect base for creating that dewy look. Because it’s so thick I work it in with a foundation brush, then foundation and concealer just glides easily on top. A great make-up remover I’ve found for waterproof mascara or contact lens wearers is the Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (£13, thebodyshop.co.uk)— it lasts for ages.