7 Beauty Hacks A Make-Up Artist Swears By

“Recently I’ve been a bit obsessed with ‘Kim K’ lips – a darker outer edge and a lighter inner lip. It sounds like it wouldn’t work, but trust me it does, particularly if you really blend the shades together. The aim is for just a hint of something darker on the outer edge to add shape and subtle definition. You don’t need a special lip liner for this – brown eyeliner will work well enough. Just ensure it’s creamy and easy to blend out with your fingers or a brush for a diffused, natural finish. Brown liner is often very wearable too, suiting most skin tones and lip shades.”

“I am always asked how you can stop lipstick from transferring and the answer always stays the same: apply a loose, translucent powder. It’s an area people forget to apply this product to, but it makes all the difference, giving a blurred effect I love. Once you’ve finished with your lipstick or whatever you’ve applied, use a small, fluffy brush and gently pat on the powder. Tap any excess off on your hand before you do this – you need the tiniest amount. There are so many out there, but Hourglass’s is one of the best or, if you’re on a budget, Elf cosmetics does some brilliant ones, too – just make sure yours is translucent.” 

“Another powder hack is to use it to fluff up your lashes. The trick is to coat one layer of mascara on, then dust some loose powder over the top of it – again, the very bare minimum. Apply a second coat of mascara and you’ll instantly see the fuller, more voluminous effect. Seeing is believing, but trust me, the result is amazing. Again, make sure you opt for a translucent powder – tinted ones will ruin the effect.”

“Gone are the days of old-school contouring. For me, it’s all about sculpting and defining your skin with a fake tan overnight. Not only is this more natural, you get a sun-kissed effect that won’t ever look streaky or overly heavy. I love formulas that are a bit silkier with an easy-to-blend texture – that includes Amanda Harrington’s Face Tan Mist and Tan-Luxe’s drops. Both have believable colours you can buff on with a brush and never have to worry about the outcome being OTT. Focus on cheekbones and areas of your skin where the sun would naturally hit.” 

“Try filling your sink with ice water then using it to wash your face before you apply any make-up. Yes, it’s uncomfortable and very cold, but it will increase blood flow to give your face a natural radiance that looks healthy and fresh. It also helps to tighten everything up a bit, so you get a smoother surface for make-up or skincare to adhere to.” 

“Not only is coconut oil affordable, it’s incredibly versatile – and much underused as a beauty product. I use it to remove make-up and moisturise. I love to take a decent chunk, rub it into my hands to warm it up, then massage it all over my face to melt away dirt, make-up and general impurities. Once everything has dissolved, I’ll use some cold water to rinse everything away. It’s great because it hydrates as it cleanses, so you get the best of both worlds and skin never feels stripped or tight afterwards.”