9 Celeb Makeup Artist Hacks For Flawless Makeup
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If anyone knows the insider secrets to long-lasting, flawless makeup, it’s celebrity makeup artists. From the foundation hack, Sir John – AKA Beyoncé’s go-to MUA – swears by, to Charlotte Tilbury’s skincare prep, these are the makeup tips pros use on Hollywood’s most famous faces. Get ready for a red-carpet-worthy glow up!
1. Awaken the Skin with the Tilbury Tap
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Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury shared her essential skincare technique that preps the skin for flawless makeup application. She explains; “My ‘Tilbury Tap’ massage technique is my backstage beauty secret, which I have used since the very beginning of my career. When I apply the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer, $64, I use my famous ‘Tilbury Tap’ massage technique to wake up the complexion. I start by working the fingers over the cheekbones like angel wings, then tap in across the forehead, chin, and nose using a pitter-patter motion. Massage is known to stimulate lymphatic drainage and boost micro-circulation as well.” We can seriously vouch for this massage technique – it’s become our savior for depuffing in the morning!
2. Use a Face Oil to Highlight
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Alexx Mayo, Lizzo’s go-to makeup artist, is as obsessed with highlight as we are – a man after our own heart. He told us “I love layering highlighters.”Adding “For an extra glow, I use a face oil on the high planes of the face for a finishing touch.”
3. Use the Pinpoint Concealer Technique for Flawless, Natural Skin
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Lisa Eldridge – whose celebrity clientele includes Keira Knightley, Dua Lipa and Cara Delevingne – is known for her skin-perfecting makeup techniques. However, she insists that a flawless complexion doesn’t always require a full-coverage foundation. Lisa explains, “Foundation isn’t meant to completely obliterate your skin – it’s there to even out your tone, conceal minor flaws, and create a canvas on which to build the rest of your look. Once you’ve applied, use my pinpoint concealer technique to cover any blemishes, imperfections, and pigmentation. Something heavy-duty with high coverage works best, so you only need to use a tiny amount. You can then go on to highlight with a brighter concealer if you wish, keeping each layer light and well-blended as this will give the illusion of minimal product. Coco Chanel said that you should always remove one thing before you go out… I say, blend everything one last time!”
4. Blot Away Excess Formula
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The finishing touch to your foundation? Blot! Celebrity MUA Sam Fine who works with A-listers like Gabrielle Union and Queen Latifah, says this is the ultimate mattifying hack. He instructs, “After applying foundation, separate a two-ply tissue and use one piece to blot any excess oil to achieve a more skin-like finish.” It’ll absorb any excess oil without leaving your skin looking cakey.
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5. Perfect the Art of the Blush Sandwich
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Blush is one of 2020’s biggest makeup trends. J.Lo’s go-to MUA, Scott Barnes, reveals his blush technique for a natural, youthful glow. “One of the best ways to appear as if you have a really natural color is to apply strong blush and color over your initial layer of foundation, then go back over it again with the same foundation and brush you used earlier. This sort of traps the color underneath and creates a blush sandwich color between two foundation layers. This technique also allows the blush to breathe through the top foundation layer, to give you a more natural, youthful look. It takes a little practice, but if you aren’t scared to try it, you might start getting comments on your youthful glow before you know it.”
6. Apply Foundation to Freshly Moisturized Skin
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A big no-no according to celebrity makeup artist Sir John, is letting your moisturizer dry before applying foundation. Beyoncé’s glam guru’s signature move is “making foundation look like second skin,” so when you apply yours, make sure it’s on skin that’s still a little damp from moisturizer.
“This helps with the blending process, and if you don’t do this then the foundation just sits on top of the skin,” he explains. Sir John swears by the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Moisturizers, $18 (for dry or oily skin) to plump, then L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation, $16, explaining, “This combo gives you a flawless look with no cakiness.”
7. De-Cake With a Water Mist
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If your makeup is looking a little cakey, celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney (who works with Barbara Palvin and Ashley Graham) suggests using MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+, $27, to break it down. She explains.“Spritz on a few light sprays, then lightly buff the skin product with any type of duo-fiber or buffing brush to instantly de-cake,” she says. Adding, “This gives the appearance of a fresher base.”
8. Brush your Brows Down to Determine the Shape
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Lisa Eldridge also shared her go-to brow tip for perfect arches. “My favorite tip for good brows is to begin by brushing them down in the wrong direction. It feels counter-intuitive, but it’s fantastic for creating the base structure. Then, starting at the high point, sketch out a basic structure using super-light, fine and feathery, hair-like strokes. Then brush them back and finish the shape. It’s like architecture: Once you’ve got the foundations right (particularly at the arch), you can build the rest of your brow around it.”
9. Create your Own Cream Eyeshadow
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Hung Vanngo is responsible for some of our all-time favorite makeup looks. And while you’d assume that he would have an arsenal of makeup hacks at his disposal, he insists he only has one… “My best and only makeup trick is mixing powder eyeshadow with Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $5, to create a cream shadow. You can also do this with a powder blush to create a cream blush,” he explains.
For more celebrity hacks, check out 12 celeb skincare tips you need to know.
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