Questions you've always wanted to ask a makeup artist

You know what would be handy? To have a make-up artist on speed dial to ask all those burning make-up questions that pop up when you’re working/envisioning your Friday night look/ trying to fall asleep.
“When should I actually throw away my mascara?” (After about three or four months. If it’s dried out before then, add some eye drops into the mascara tube).
“What is BB cream?” (Imagine if foundation, sunscreen and moisturiser had a baby. That’s BB cream. You can look here for a more in-depth answer).
“How do I clean make-up brushes?” (Here are some tips and here are some dos and don’ts).
Well, sadly we can’t gift you with a personal make-up artist, but we did the next best thing and got in touch with the brilliant Rae Morris. Here, she answers a few of those make-up questions that have been bugging you.
bh: What should I use to fill in sparse parts of eyebrows so they look natural?
RM: You can actually use an eyeliner gel in a colour that matches your brows on a super precise angled brush. You have more choice of colour with gels, and the gel formulation also doesn’t move – it’s seriously waterproof. You can try the No.16 Brow Definer to just fill in the gaps with little, fine strokes.
bh: How can I extend the life of dewy make-up? My face looks fresh and radiant in the morning but by 3 o’clock, it’s patchy and just awful!
RM: If it’s patchy, you may have mixed oil and water-based products on your face, which will make foundation separate. It’s an easy mistake to make as some moisturisers contain oil and most foundations are water-based, so check first and try to keep everything to a water base, as it will last longer.
Also, patchiness can be caused by over-powdering or powdering when the skin is too oily - the oilier the skin, the more powder sticks. And because skin never produces oil evenly, powder will stick to the shinier spots more than the not-so-shiny spots, hence why you can end up with an uneven skin tone. My golden rule is to never powder without blotting first. MAC blotting papers (Blot Film) are amazing!
If oil is not your issue, then just blot down your skin (tissues will do if you don’t have the papers), add a little more foundation to a large buffing brush and buff back in.
bh: What’s the best way to apply concealer under my eyes? Most of the formulas I’ve used crease and make my lines look even more noticeable.
RM: Try Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage – it’s so concentrated and high in pigment – and make sure you don’t have lots of eye cream or face moisturiser under the eyes. Less is best here, as the skin is too fine and delicate to hold much product. That’s why it’s best to use a concealer with more coverage, but use less of it. The skin around the eye moves so much that you will always get creasing of some kind, but keep a beauty blender close by and press the concealer back into place when need be.
Head to the next page to find out how to deal with make-up and dry skin, what to do when you're short on time, and foundation matching!
What would you like to ask a make-up artist? What’s the best make-up tip you’ve ever picked up?
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
Jazz Pampling answers your brow-filling questions
|
5 fragrance questions you've always wanted to ask |
Rae Morris make-up: everyday look |
Rae Morris make-up: date night look |
Rae Morris' anti-ageing make-up dos and don'ts |
Your pregnancy questions answered |
43 Member Comments
Great article with awesome tips!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
What a great article,full of information and good product recommendations.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
thinking about purchasing blotting paper never used them but sounds interesting
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good tips. I always have creasing with my concealer. Sometimes I think my makeup looks better without it.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
The laura Mercer secret camoflauge sounds very good
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I never realised I could be mixing water and oil products... I wonder whats best for dewy skin?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'll have to remember to not put too much moisturiser under my eyes. I knew the eye area was delicate but I didn't know that it shouldn't hold too much product.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Some handy hints. I didn't think to check when mixing products if the base was the same. I'll be checking my products from now on.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yup, I never used concealer, but some say I should try =P (my blue under eye veins are so visible!). I still do not want to get one. Eye area skin is so delicate, only good skincare touches it !
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This is true, mixing formulas is the biggest makeup issue, your moisturiser, primer and foundation need to be the same, ie. all water based, oil based or silicone based as mixing them gives poor finish and lasting ability.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Laura Mercier make some fabulous products, but I haven't yet tried the concealer. It is highly recommended by many makeup artists.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love my Yuva brow powder! I have sparse eyebrows, and the mineral powder is awesome to fill in without looking too much. I never, ever leave home without blotting papers. Magic for helping keep the dreaded shine at bay.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Now know to blot before I powder
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have not heard of the brand No 16
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I wish I knew which products went together, to make my make up last as long as possible. I think I do mix oil and water based products without notice.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
great advice...thank you
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
will have to try the under my eyes concealer tips!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I just love this info. Thank you for this
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Genius tip about pre-powder blotting!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Some good little tips! :)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Interesting tip about the eyeliner gel.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'd like to ask a MUA if it matters about what ingredients are in a foundation - since we put down a barrier like serums & moisturisers beforehand anyhow?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Awesome article!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I totally agree that blotting paper is a godsend for people with oily skin! I discovered it as a teen in Japan and then available from The Body Shop in Australia. It mops up oil without affecting your makeup. I'm glad to see MAC has a similar offering! It's simply the best and I have never looked back or been without it ever since! Thanks for all these fabulous tips! xx
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Love the under eye concealer tip!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0