How To Master The Perfect Party Make-Up
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Prep Your Skin
“Hydrated skin is a must before you apply any type of make-up. You don’t always have to use a primer – your skincare can work just as well. When my face is hydrated, my make-up looks a lot more natural and doesn’t crease. As for prepping the eyes, I’d apply the Urban Decay Anti-Ageing Primer Potion first, then blend concealer all over the lid before setting everything with a translucent powder – that’s all before I even starting any shadow work.” – Rafeeka Khan, beauty content creator
Apply Your Base
“For a natural finish, use a skin-like foundation – something with a serum-like texture that’s on the sheerer side. It’s a great way to build up the coverage should you decide to go heavier. The perfect foundation for this is the Lisa Eldridge Foundation. For more of a glass-skin finish, try something like Ciate’s Dewy Skin Glass Glow Tint. Apply a lightweight foundation or skin tint over the top and you’re good to go.” – Rafeeka
Create Definition
“For a natural looking contour, I use a cream foundation that is about three shades darker than my actual complexion. I love the Teint Fétiche Baume De Teint because the dewy texture makes the end results look like skin. I always make sure I set the contour with Suqqu Matte Loose Powder. For contouring the eyes, try the Christian Louboutin Beauty Abracadabra Duo Cool Nudes Chick.” – Morgane Martini, Christian Louboutin Beauty global make-up artist
“Underpainting is probably the best way to achieve a ‘natural’ contour. I’d recommend using cream products like the Chanel Les Beiges Cream Bronzer, which melts into the skin to create natural-looking dimension.” – Rafeeka
Try The Seasonal Eye Trend
“A key eye make-up trend this season is a shimmering lid with fluffy lashes. The most effective way to get the look is to apply a touch of Christian Louboutin Beauté Tape a L’Oeil in ‘Morganite’ and blend it all over the eyelids and take it into the inner corner. I then add the Les Yeux Noirs Lift Ultima mascara because the small brush allows you to really catch the lashes from the base all the way to the tip without creating a mess. Don’t hesitate to apply multiple layers of mascara for a false lash effect.” – Morgane
“Sparkly lids are making a comeback – it’s very Y2K. The easiest way to tap into the trend is to use a high pigment glitter like the Rabanne Iconique Sparkle Duo – use your fingers to apply it if you want a more vibrant payoff; it works great for halo eyes or inner corner highlights. Use a fluffy brush for a more dispersed, almost frosted, eye look.” – Rafeeka
Line Your Eyes
“I mostly do my eyeliner with a pencil because I can either blend the line for a soft smokey look or I can make it sharp. The best black pencil is the Les Yeux Noirs Oeil Velours in ‘Khôl’. It glides on so smoothly. I then use small Q-tips dipped into some micellar water to perfect the line if needed. The placement depends on your eye shape, but I like to draw the flick with eyes open for better precision. Finally, connect the flick with the lash line, working from the outer corner towards the inner corner, making the line thinner on the last half of the eyelid.” – Morgane
Experiment With A Bold Lip
“A bold lip always looks good. Whether you’re doing a classic red or a glossy nude lip, you can’t go wrong. One of my favourites lip is Rouge Louboutin. It’s a gorgeous red and the luxurious packaging also makes it a perfect Christmas gift. For something a little more neutral, I’d go for Rouge Stiletto Glossy Shine in ‘Bare Kate’ – high-shine finish feels like a hydrating lip balm. I also like to sculpt the lips by creating an ombré colour and mixing different textures. Start with a darker colour using the tip of the lipstick to trace the edge of the lip line (for more precision you could use a lip brush) then lightly blend the pigment inwards. Use a glossy lighter shade to the centre of the lips, as it gives more dimension and a plumping effect. You can also play with colours and try various combinations – maybe a pink on top and red on the bottom with a burgundy outline, or a chocolate and nude – the options are endless.” – Morgane
Find Balance
“I’d like to think that you can apply strong make-up on both the eyes and lips, but it’s a fine line. If I’m doing a bold red lip, I tend to use neutral shades like taupe, brown or black and preferably a soft blend on the eyes. If I’m creating a dramatic eye, I opt for a colour that compliments the skin tone on the lip without taking the focus away from the eyes. It’s better to add dimension through texture; I love a smokey glossy eye to make them pop.” – Morgane
Don’t Forget Your Mascara
“I always have my Q-tips handy when I apply mascara. I like to get as close as possible to the lash line and sometimes it touches the skin – using a small Q-tip, you can easily fix the mess before it dries. Ensure the mascara wand doesn’t have too much product on it otherwise it will clump. First, brush the lashes towards the outer corner of the eyes and then go in the opposite direction just from the centre and towards the inner corner of the eye for a more doll like effect. I love the mascara wand of the Les Yeux Noirs Lift Ultima because it allows for more precise application.” – Morgane
Shine On
“You can apply highlighter on the cheekbones, the temples and sometimes on the bridge of the nose. The trick is to keep it subtle – avoid applying too much otherwise it could look like sweat or oil, which is never a good look.” – Morgane
Don’t Let It Slip
“Strategically set the T-zone with a translucent powder and use a setting spray like Urban Decay’s All Nighter or the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to maintain your glam for long periods of time. It really allows for your make-up to go the distance and stay put all night.” – Rafeeka
Follow @RafeekaLove & @Morgane_Martini on Instagram.
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