Lancôme national makeup artist, Andrew James, shares his DOs and DON’Ts for the perfect makeup look, every time.
DO start out simply
“If you’re new to makeup it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices,” Andrew says. “The three essentials are: a mascara to define your lashes, a lipstick that lifts your mood, and a great foundation.”
DO think pink
“It’s the colour of youth and happiness, plus it looks great on any part of the face,” says Andrew. “ Bright lipstick is great to wear if you want to be heard, as it draws people’s eyes directly to your lips.”
DO combine your shimmer and matte
“Matte makes your features look smaller and darker, whereas shimmer brightens you up,” he says. Try a matte lipstick with a dewy complexion and a glossy lip on a matte complexion.
DO find your foundation match
Try Andrew’s testing trick: “Draw a foundation swatch from the middle of your cheek right down to your jawline. If that line disappears then you know you’ve found the right colour.” This is particularly helpful for people with uneven skin tones; this way you can see if the foundation blends with both the lighter and darker parts of your face.
DO embrace liquid lipstick
“It’s more precise, so you can skip the pencil and it’s long-lasting because it actually stains your lips and gives you a second skin feel,” says Andrew. What’s not to love?
DON’T go bright everywhere
“The key to wearing colourful makeup is to keep your outfit pretty neutral,” Andrew explains. “Going bold everywhere looks dated.”
DON’T scrub your makeup off
“Find a makeup remover that is gentle on your eyes,” he says. “Soak your cotton pad with the remover and place it directly on your eyes for 30 seconds, allowing it to break down the product, then gently wipe it off.” Rubbing your eyes will lead to loss of lashes and premature ageing from overstressing the skin. (TRY Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover R378)
DON’T over contour
“That Kardashian-esque harsh contour only looks good on photos,” says Andrew. “When you see a person with two different colours on their face, or the sides of their nose appearing much darker than the bridge, it’s disturbing.” Be subtle with your contouring and work with light contrasts.
Looking for more top beauty tips and buys? Learn the GLAMOUR Team’s skin secrets and check out the French beauty products we’re loving!
