To recreate this look, watch the step-by-step video tutorial below:

Product list!

Eyeshadow: Nars Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Corcovado. Buy it online at: Beauty.com and Mecca Cosmetica.com.au.

Gold eyeliner: YSL Baby Doll Eyeliner in Sparkling Gold 15. Buy it online at: YSL Beauty US.com and YSL Beauty.co.uk.

Black eyeliner: Shu Uemura Painting Liner in Black. Buy it online at: Shu Uemura-USA.com and Selfridges.com, or visit Shu Uemura.com to find your nearest stockist.

Applied with: Shu Uemura Natural Brush 6 o b.

Mascara: YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll in Indiscreet Purple 4. Buy it online at: YSL Beauty US.com and YSL Beauty.co.uk.

Lip crayon: Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Floralies. Buy it online at: Sephora.com and Mecca Cosmetica.com.au.

Sixties mod! is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

Step-by-step video tutorial coming soon!

Citrus crush is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

A quick lesson in eyeliner application:

Product list!

Shu Uemura Painting Liner in Black. Buy it online at: Shu Uemura-USA.com and Selfridges.com, or visit Shu Uemura.com to find your nearest stockist.

Applied with: MAC Small Angle Brush 266. Buy it online at: MAC Cosmetics.com, MAC Cosmetics.co.uk and MAC Cosmetics.com.au.

Lancôme Artliner in Noir. Buy it online at: Sephora.com, Lancome.co.uk and David Jones.com.au.

Lancôme Hynôse Doll Eyes Mascara in Black. Buy it online at: Sephora.com, Selfridges.com and Adore Beauty.com.au.

Model is wearing MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Tea Ceremony. Buy it online at: MAC Cosmetics.com, MAC Cosmetics.co.uk and MAC Cosmetics.com.au.

How to apply eyeliner is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

To look effortlessly chic at the office, draw a liquid line along the top lashes (keeping the “flicks” subtle), add a touch of pink to the cheekbones, and paint your pout pinkish-nude.

No makeup.

Everyday makeup.

Workday chic is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

I am just starting out in makeup artistry and have got a basic kit together, but wondered if I should invest in a special chair, makeup station and my own lights. What are your thoughts?

Thanks, Sarah. 

Dear Sarah,

I think it depends on what type of makeup work you will be doing, and where. Personally, on the jobs I do, I never take a chair, table or lights with me.

Most of my work is studio based, and all those things are supplied.

Inside an uptown studio.

Similarly, when a shoot is outdoors on location, a “location van” is usually provided. These vehicles are equipped with everything you need (apart from the makeup), and the model sits inside to have her face made up.

On trips abroad, I make the best of what is available. Generally, on overseas jobs there is a production team that helps out with any equipment requests, which is a bonus. It is their job to make the creative team’s job easier, and they usually do.

Occasionally I work on a client in a hotel room, and this can sometimes require a little bit of improvisation.

In this downtown hotel room, an armchair dressed in a towel doubled as my makeup station.

I think most makeup artist’s would agree that it is difficult to apply good makeup in the dark. Admittedly, there have been times when I have found myself confronted with poor lighting (at location houses, for example) and have borrowed spare lights from the photographer. In my experience, they are always more than happy to help out.

For me at least, I haven’t been able to justify investing in a makeup station, chair and lighting of my own. In my opinion, in terms of equipment, less is more. I find my two 20kg kits of makeup enough to manage without any unnecessary extras.

My makeup kit: This is case one of two.

My makeup kit: This is case two of two.

Like I say, though, it could be worthwhile if the work you do warrants it. No doubt there are some great portable options available on the market. Maybe ask this question of other makeup artists, or post it on beauty blogs or forums where makeup artists hang out, and you are sure to come away with lots of recommendations and advice that you can tailor to your needs.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Love lots and pink polka dots, LMM.

Makeup artist chat: What do I need to succeed? is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

To prolong the “shout” in your pout on a night out, drink through a straw!

To recreate this look, follow the five steps below.

1. Complexion:
To create a flawless canvas, start by applying a primer (which improves the wear-time of makeup) and then follow up with foundation to even out the skin tone. Use concealer to disguise dark under-eye circles and blemishes. Set the base with a layer of loose powder.

2. Eyes:
To draw more attention to the lips, keep the eyes simple. Blend a wash of neutral-colored eyeshadow over the eyelids and also take it beneath the eye to softly define the lower lash line. Curl the top lashes with an eyelash curler and apply a coat of black mascara.

3. Brows:
Groomed eyebrows are a compulsory finishing touch for any look. Brush them upwards, tweeze any stray hairs, and fill in any gaps in the hair growth with a soft eyebrow powder or pencil.

4. Lips:
For a precise finish, use a lip brush to apply lipstick and outline the lips with lip liner in a matching shade. To improve the staying power of bright lipstick, choose a matte texture and, after application, blot it by biting down on a tissue before applying another layer.

Two on-trend orange-reds to try: Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Zinfandel and Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Apricot.

5. Cheeks:
This look is all about the statement pout, so keep the cheeks fresh and natural with a flush of warm blush or bronzing powder. To avoid being too heavy handed, tap any excess powder off the brush before you begin to apply it, and slowly build up the color.

This season’s cue? Pick a high-vis hue! is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

To recreate this loud lip, watch the video tutorial below.

Product list!

Lip balm: La Mer The Lip Balm. Buy it online at: Creme De La Mer.com, Selfridges.com and Creme De La Mer.com.au. (Application not filmed.)

Lip pencil: MAC Lip Pencil in Embrace Me. Buy it online at: MAC Cosmetics.com, MAC Cosmetics.co.uk and MAC Cosmetics.com.au.

Lipstick: Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick in Fuchsia Irrésistible 205. Buy it online at: Sephora.com and House of Fraser.co.uk, or visit your nearest Givenchy counter.

Lipgloss: Guerlain Gloss D’Enfer (Maxi Shine Lip Gloss) in Rouge Shebam 420. Buy it online at: Sephora.com.

Lip brush: Bare Minerals Heavenly Liner Blending Brush. Buy it online at: Bare Escentuals.com.

Hot pink lipstick. Hot trend! is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

Model wearing Le Rouge Lipstick in Fuchsia Irrésistible 205 by Givenchy.

To create a poppin’ pout:

1). Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dry, flaky skin.

Why exfoliate? Dry skin has a tendency to “grab” lipstick. So, if you don’t want those areas to stand out and appear dark and patchy, ensure the lips are well exfoliated and adequately hydrated before you apply any color.

Makeup artist tip: Want a quick and easy exfoliation technique? Rub a dry, soft-bristled baby’s toothbrush over your lips.

2). To hydrate your lips, apply a good lip balm.

Makeup artist tip: I love The Lip Balm by Crème De La Mer. There are many reasons why I like this product, and one of them is its matte texture. When I’m applying color on top, I usually prefer a lip balm with a flat finish, because it doesn’t seem to alter the look and texture of the lipstick as much as shiny balms can.

3). Outline your lips with lipliner.

Why use lipliner? When applied correctly, lipliner shapes and defines the lips. It also helps lipstick last longer and prevents dark/bright colors bleeding.

Makeup artist tip: For a seamless finish, choose a lipliner in a shade that closely matches the color of your lipstick.

4). For a precise and even application of color, apply your lipstick with a lip brush, or apply it straight from the bullet and pat your lips together to blend.

Makeup artist tip: Want to make your teeth look whiter and brighter? Choose a blue-based lipstick.

5). To make your pout appear fuller, add a touch of gloss to the middle of the top and bottom lips.

Makeup artist tip: For this look, after applying the hot pink lipstick, I added an orangey-red lipgloss to the center of the mouth only. For an even plumper-looking pout, choose a gloss in a lighter shade.

A flash of fuchsia! is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

1. To make your top lashes look longer and prettier (which in turn will make your eyes appear bigger and more wide open), curl them with an eyelash curler before applying mascara.

2. For larger-looking eyes, apply mascara to both the top and bottom lashes.

3. Sick of getting black marks on your eyelids when you apply mascara? To prevent it happening, hold a mirror horizontally at chest height in one hand and hold the mascara wand in the other, and look down into the mirror to apply it. This method will help stop you blinking, meaning you will be less likely to get mascara on your eyelids. If this doesn’t help, try a different mascara. The shape, size and type of brush can influence the ease of application, as can the consistency of the formulation.

Eyeshadow.

4. To get a true color pay-off from your eyeshadow, block the unwanted undertones in the eyelid (i.e. red and/or blue hues caused by small veins) with concealer first.

5. To make blending “matte” eyeshadows easier, prepare the eyelid with a layer of matte, loose powder beforehand. Alternatively, to make metallic eyeshadows shine, apply them straight on top of a dewy-finish concealer.

6. For perfect eyeshadow application, keep your eyes open, tilt your head slightly backward (to stretch the skin on your eyelid taut) and look into a mirror.

7. Want to try a smoky eye but don’t quite feel ready for gray or black? A combination of creamy-white, beige and medium-brown eyeshadows suits almost everyone. Use the lightest color as a base and over the inner corner of the eye, the medium tone on the eyelid, and the darkest shade on the outer corner of the eye and to contour the crease.

8. If you have fine lines and wrinkles or dry skin in and around the eye area, avoid heavily frosted and highly pearlized eyeshadows because they tend to draw attention to and emphasize imperfections. Ensure the skin is well hydrated, and choose matte and satin textures for a more flattering finish.

Eyeliner.

9. If you have light-colored hair and a pale complexion, black eyeliner can sometimes look too harsh. For a softer look, smudge it to take down the intensity, or opt for gray, navy or brown liner instead.

10. To wake up tired eyes, use eye drops to wash away any redness, and then brighten them by applying a white or very pale yellow eyeliner pencil to the lower inner rim (waterline).

Top ten tips for eyes is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog

Dear LMM,

I’m interested in becoming a makeup artist. How did you start your career? What was involved? If you could give me one piece of advice, what would it be?

Thanks very much,
Kara.

Dear Kara,

For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of being a makeup artist. As a young girl I used to pour over magazines like Dolly for hours and, much to my Mum’s despair, never threw a single copy out. Things haven’t changed much; I still have a penchant for magazines and, due to space issues, now hire a storage unit to keep them in.

I studied design in my late teens and, by chance, was introduced to an established makeup artist through a friend of a friend, and basically that’s where my career began. With hunger in my heart and pockets full of passion, I began assisting him and other makeup artists at his agency and, later, makeup artists at other agencies. That was 14 years ago now. Gasp!

Assisting is all about working on shoots for free, and watching, listening and learning. As an assistant you are there to help the makeup artist. It is your job to save them time and ensure things run smoothly. You hold eyeshadows while they’re applying them. If they want something, you run out to the shops for it. You might apply nail polish to the fingers of the model, while they are perfecting the face. You may stay on set and do touch-ups, while they start work on the next model. When they say “jump”, you obligingly say “how high”. As an assistant you master the art of unpacking and packing a makeup kit. You also become better at washing brushes than your own hair.

My first few years as an assistant were great and very exciting, I did lots of covers (for magazines), editorial work (fashion stories in magazines), beauty shoots (for magazines) and fashion shows. Assisting at shows is a great experience. You learn to work quickly with different makeup artists, and being exposed to their tips and techniques is an absolute goldmine. I remember one makeup artist, whom I assisted on a show in Paris, telling me about Bioderma Créaline H₂O and Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream), which at that time were only available at French pharmacies. I still buy both products today.

At the shows you get to work on models who have some of the best faces you’ve ever seen. The atmosphere is crazy and exhilarating, but not always glamorous. I remember one spring/summer show in London particularly well. It was a freezing cold September, and instead of providing warmth, the portable heaters filled the room with pungent gas, which certainly added to the chaos. It was a six-hour stint, there was no food or drinks, and the lighting was so poor you could hardly apply your own lipgloss properly, let alone make up dozens of faces. But somehow we pulled it off.

As an assistant, being part of the creative process was mind blowing. I learned so much, made loads of connections and contacts, touched many famous faces, and went on lots of trips to faraway places. Assisting is hard work but fun, and is a critical step to earning your stripes. The downside is that it doesn’t pay well. Most of the work you do is for love (and experience), not money.

If you’re serious about becoming a makeup artist, whether you represent yourself or are represented by an agency, getting a portfolio together is a must. You need to prove what you can do, and your folio more or less acts as your CV in picture format.

While I was an assistant, I did lots of test shoots in my spare time to build up a folio of my work. “Testing” involves a group of artists getting together (hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer, stylist etc.) who all donate their time to create a look in lieu of images. Testing isn’t only for beginners trying to build a book (folio); even now I still “test” to try out new things, and often submit the images to magazines outside the mainstream publications.

After three or four years I wasn’t just assisting on jobs any more, I was also filling in for the artists I assisted in their absence – plus, I had built up a portfolio that I was confident to present to an agency. To cut a long story short, one thing led to another, and after plenty of phone calls, a lot of pavement pounding and an infinite number of meetings, I finally made it. I’m now a professional makeup artist and have assistants of my own. I still remember getting my first real, paid editorial job. I was on cloud nine. The studio assistant made me tea all day. I felt so special.

In a nutshell, that pretty much sums up my journey.

My words of advice: network like mad, and connect with anyone and everyone you can, whether it’s contacts from a course, via social media or whatever. Who you know is king when it comes to opportunities. And, when opportunities present themselves, grab them with both hands, hang on tight and enjoy the ride.

Love lots and pink polka dots, LMM.

How I became a makeup artist is a post from: Little Miss Makeup's Blog