Pre-make-up
Moisturiser is the key to fresh looking skin; it creates the perfect base for make-up. For normal skin, use a lightweight moisturising lotion. For dry skin, use a rich hydrating cream or balm and with oily skin use an oil-free formula that hydrates and helps control oil production. Always begin with a lightweight eye cream to ensure under-eye concealer goes on smoothly and evenly.
Concealer
Neutralise darkness with a pink- or peach-toned corrector. Apply with a brush to the deepest or darkest area to prepare for concealer. Choose yellow-based shades of concealer and layer them over the corrector underneath the eye, using a concealer brush. Apply up to the lash line and on the innermost corner and blend with your finger. Apply pale yellow or white powder with a brush or puff to set in place, also applying onto the eyelid to take away shine.
Foundation
Use a brush, sponge or fingers to apply foundation where the skin needs to be evened out – around the nose and mouth where there is often redness. For all-over coverage, use a brush to apply and blend foundation to the outer edge of the face. To cover blemishes, spot-apply foundation stick in a shade that matches skin tone exactly. It’s a good idea to have two different shades of foundation – one for the winter months and a slightly darker one for the summer, when skin colour tends to be darker. Use tinted moisturiser for a sheer alternative to foundation.
Powder
For crease-free, long wear apply loose powder in a pale yellow tone over concealer using an eye blender brush or a mini powder puff. If skin feels dry, dust powder only around the nose and forehead.
Blush
Smile and apply a natural shade of blush on the apples of the cheeks. Blend up towards the hairline, then downward to soften the colour. For long-lasting results, layer a pop of brighter blush on top. For extra glow, dust a shimmer powder on the cheekbones or use a creamy formula applied with your fingertips.
Lipstick
Start with clean, smooth lips. Neutral lipstick shades and sheer formulas can be applied directly from the tube, but use a lip brush to apply darker or brighter colours, which require precise application. The most flattering lip shade will either match or be slightly darker than your lips.
Lipliner
To achieve natural-looking definition and to keep colour from feathering, line lips with a lipliner after applying lip colour. Use a lip brush to soften and blend any hard edges.
Brows
Define brows using shadow or pencil in the colour of your eyebrows and hair. Begin at the inner corner of the brow, and follow the natural shape using light, feathery strokes. Soften too-harsh brow colour by pressing loose powder onto the brows with a powder puff.
Eyeshadow
Sweep a light eyeshadow colour from the lash line to the brow bone. Then dust a medium eyeshadow colour on the lower lid up to the crease. Apply contour colour if needed to the fleshy part of the lid to add depth to the eye. Dusting face powder on bare lids first helps create a smooth surface and keeps shadow from creasing.
Eyeliner
Line the upper lash line with a dark shadow colour, applied damp or dry. If you also line the lower lash line, make sure the top and bottom lines meet at the outer corner of the eye and that the lower line is softer.
Mascara
For a dense look to lashes, choose a thickening mascara, and for natural-looking lashes, opt for a defining and lengthening one. Hold the mascara wand parallel to the floor and brush from the base of the lashes to the tips. Roll the wand as you go to separate the lashes and avoid clumps. Always apply two or three coats.
Top tips for bad day beauty
Not looking your best and facing a big meeting? Try Bobbi’s best quick-fixes:
• Add moisture. When skin is dehydrated it looks older – use a rich moisturiser to temporarily plump up skin.
• Curl lashes to open up eyes. Stick to light shades on the lids and use mascara just on the top lashes, to avoid looking tired.
• Fake a tan. Apply a light coat of self-tanner, bronzing powder or gel, and follow with a pinky blush.
• My beauty friends on off-days are black eyeliner, bright pink blush, cheek glow or a balm, a bright pink scarf and Ray-Ban sunglasses!
