Make-up tips

Clueless about make-up? We took a lesson at Bobbi Brown 1 Comments

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‘Never match your make-up to your outfit.’ This is the first tip Diana Kohutova gives me. And as the regional make-up artist for Bobbi Brown, a US-based cosmetics company and industry leader, she sure knows her stuff. ‘Use your natural colouring as a guide,’ she explains. I’m amazed by how many steps are involved in looking ‘naturally’ beautiful. ‘Not all of them are essential,’ she assures me.

I leave her make-up booth with a cachet of tips and a fresh face that actually makes me look (gasp) younger. We’ve included the step-by-step process of achieving the same look.

Step one: Prime the skin

Before touching a brush to your face, it’s vital to cleanse and moisturise.

Bobbi Brown tips: For dry skin, apply a cream cleanser – this allows the oils to dissolve – before washing with water. For oily complexions, use a gel cleanser on wet skin.

Step two: Concealer

Even if you don’t use any other make-up, Kohutova maintains that concealer is a must. ‘It covers any under-eye bags and makes you look fresher.’ When choosing a shade, go for one that’s a degree lighter than your natural complexion and apply with a brush. ‘If it looks ashy, it’s too light. If it looks very yellow, it’s too dark,’ she says.

Bobbi Brown tips: Peach-toned concealers are good for darker or tanned skin, while pink tones are ideal for pale complexions.

Step three: Foundation

Foundation helps to even out the skin and cover blotchiness. ‘To find the right shade, test a few options on your jaw line. The shade that disappears is the right one,’ says Kohutova.

Bobbi Brown tip: Powder-based foundations are great for those with oily skin. Those with dry skin should opt for a creamy formula.

Step four: Bronzer

Though not essential, a good bronzer gives off a nice, sun-kissed look. Brush it over most of the face, but spare the cheeks.

Bobbi Brown tip: Test for the right shade on your neck or chest.

Step five: Blush

Kohutova advises blending blush across the apples of your cheeks towards the hairline, then downward to soften colour.

Bobbi Brown tip: Tap off excess powder before sweeping the brush across your face. It’s far easier to build colour in a few light layers than it is to remove it.