In my make-up lessons so many women struggle to find the right foundation but it needn’t be an arduous task if you follow my easy guide

How to choose the right one…
Choosing the right foundation is one of the hardest things. Get it right and you’ll look fantastic, get it wrong and none of your make-up however good, will look right. So before you head to the beauty counter, do the following that way you won’t be
daunted by the huge amount of products to choose from.

WHAT TYPE OF FOUNDATION SUITS YOUR SKIN TYPE?

Dry skin…
Would benefit using a moisturising foundation or a liquid mineral foundation, one that has
a dewy, light reflective finish.
Avoid powder / foundation in one.
Combination skin…
This skin type is very lucky because they can use any type of foundation depending on the type of look they want. Liquid or powder mineral foundation are a good choice.
Problem or oily skin…
A problem skin would benefit from an oil-free foundation, some cream to powder foundations (some of the new ones are oil-free) and powder / foundation in one. Or matte mineral powder foundations.
They should avoid any creamy, moisturising foundations or light reflective ones. Also try an oil absorbing primer.
Mature skin…
A hydrating foundation or light reflecting one would be best for a mature skin. A cream to powder could also be good depending on the amount of coverage you need. Look for ones with a semi-matte or dewy finish that are not too heavy.
Avoid anything too heavy, opaque or matte as this can be very ageing. A liquid mineral foundation would look fantastic.
A line filling skin smoothing primer under your foundation would help your complexion look great.

Different coverages and finishes
Coverage: Sheer (hardly anything, great for young near perfect skin), Light ( a bit more cover great for someone who just wants to even out their complexion, good for dry, combination or mature skin), Medium ( moderate cover for a slightly less than
perfect complexion, good for all skin types), Opaque ( maximum cover for those skins which need it, i.e. scars, broken veins, birth marks, most suitable skin types apart from mature and very dry).

Next choose the type of finish you would like: Shiny is best only on youthful flawless skin. Dewy/Moist is suitable for all skin types other than problem/oily. Demi-matte this is a great for all skin types. Matte is best for problem/oily and combination skin.

At the Counter
Having chosen the appropriate foundation, based on skin type, preferred finish and coverage, you are now ready to find the perfect colour. To find the right colour, apply a stripe of foundation on your chin, not on
the back of your hand. The colour is NEVER the same.
Leave it to settle for a couple of minutes to see if the colour changes when the foundation reacts with your skins natural oils. Now check it in natural day light, thisis the only true light.
The foundation colour that you DON’T see is the right one. Don’t be tempted to alter
your skin colour with foundation, it will just look false-mask like. You may find that
you have to mix two foundations together to the perfect shade for you, don’t worry
Make-up Artists do this all the time.

Tips for a flawless complexion…
• Foundation needn’t look false or mask like if applied properly. Although all
foundations are slightly different, the method of application is similar.
• Start with a cleansed face, allow your moisturiser to absorb.
• Then prime your skin (If needed). You can apply your foundation straight after primer, primers don’t need to absorb into the skin.
• Now you are ready for foundation.
• Place a little foundation in the palm of your hand, this helps warm it to skin
temperature, so it goes easily. Using either your fingers or brush apply foundation to the cheeks, nose and
chin. Always apply in a downward motion starting in the centre and blending out
toward the edges. You needn’t wear foundation all over your face like a mask, if the
colour and texture are right then use it only where you need it (most don’t need
any on the forehead).

This week has been mega busy. I have been working on a new secret project. As soon as it is ready to launch you’ll be the first to know but in the meantime…The exciting news this week has been the Premier of Sex in the City 2. I was lucky enough to see a sneak peak just before its launch. London and the UK have all been a buzz over this fashion fest movie. Now I know that it has had mixed reviews but the opinions of women all over the UK has been “never mind the story we love the clothes and the make-up”. Now there are not too many films you can say that about. Since the Premier I have been inundated with requests on how to get the look….mainly Carrie Bradshaw but if there is anyone else that you would like to see a ‘get the look’ on please let me know.

Get Carrie’s Look:

Carrie’s look is a modern twist on the classic smoky eye look. As a matter of face it is not too dis-similar to Tom Ford’s Spring 2010 look.

Carrie Bradshaw

Face:

Perfect your complexion choose a foundation to suit your skin tone. Apply it like a professional make-up using a foundation brush. Check out MAC, Ariane Poole or Body Shop. Using a foundation brush will give you that air brushed film star finish to your skin. Next a little concealer were necessary…like under the eyes and on any blemishes. Save the powder until the end you want to keep your skin’s luminosity.

Eyes:

Carrie’s brows are shaped to perfection. If yours have been over plucked then fear not. Get a great brow shape with some brow powder or a brow pencil. Take a look at Shavata, Ariane Poole and Chanel.

As I said, Carrie has a new twist of a classic smoky eye look. After applying an eye base, like Elizabeth Arden Eyefix, pop a mid to deep brown shadow, deepened on your skin tone, on the lids extending it beyond the socket line. I like Bobbi Brown or MAC for their wide selection of shades. Extending the shadow is the key to an open sexy smoky eye look. Define the shape and create more depth with dark brown gel liner, like my Chocolate Mousse or Maybelline’s NEW Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Brown applied along the base of the top and bottom lashes. I love gel liners because not only can you create definition and drama to the eyes but you can blur the line giving the eyes that smudginess. Next take a black eye pencil, like Benefit’s BadGal Pencil and line the inner rim of your eyes. Add a touch of ivory shadow to highlight under the arch of the brows. Finish with lots of volume building mascara, such as L’Oreal Paris NEW Volume Million Lashes and a few individual false lashes.

Cheeks:

Keep the cheeks soft and fresh with a flush of apricot/peach blush applied to the apples of the cheeks. If you haven’t got Carrie’s chiselled cheeks then sweep a little bronzer under your cheek bones and watch them pop out.

Lips:

Lips are played down but still there with beautiful definition and a soft nude pink lip colour. Give your lips shape by defining them with a lip coloured lip pencil to suit your skin tone then fill them in with either a gloss or demi sheer lipstick. Take a look at Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Bare Lips, Lipstick Queen Oxymoron lip colour in Free Ride or my XOXO Liquid Lip Colour. But the most important part of an “A” list look is your smile…getting it dazzling with Pearl Drops NEW Hollywood Instant Whitening.

Finish the look with a sweep of translucent mineral powder on the t-zone if needed. The mineral powder will take away excess shine without making your complexion look flat.

And there you have Carrie’s fabulous look that you can do in minutes.

Until next time,

Ariane x

Boy oh boy what a week, I was on Ideal World doing live make-up demos then meetings meetings meetings. But all in a good cause, I have asked to head up a team of 25+ make-up artists for Graduate fashion Week. As you may have recalled I did this last year and it was FABULOUS so I was both thrilled and honoured that they asked me back. The Shows take place at Earl’s Court from the 6^th of June until the 10^th. I will tell you all about it plus I will have some great back stage pics and news!!

I don’t know about you but I have really been enjoying the hot weather. The one thing I have been asked though is how to avoid make-up melt down when the temperatures soar. This week I am going to show you how to look cool , calm and pulled together.

To start don’t apply too many products. When the heat is on less is definitely more. If the humidity is high you may not even need a moisturiser in the day. If want to use one opt for an oil free.

Next to keep looking fresher longer apply an anti shine product. Anti Shine Serum (lotions or balms) help absorb excess oils plus act as a barrier so that any make-up you put on your face won’t sink into your skin.

Next I like a mineral foundation either a liquid or a powder depending on what you feel confidante using. The great thing with minerals they won’t clog your skin and most have a non chemical SPF, so your skin is protected from the sun as well. Before we move on to the eyes lets talk about bronzer. I love bronzer, Check Mac, Bobbi Brown and Dior, but bronzer is NOT blush. Bronzer will add colour all over your face but to get that gorgeous goddess look you will need blush. For a sun kissed complexion sweep bronzer around your face like framing a picture, add a little more to the areas the sun would hit most – don’t forget that little white patch under your chin. Now on to eyes. For eyes I like to keep it simple – sweep a wash of longlasting make up colour on the lids. I love a bit of colour in the Summer check out Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Collection their Liquid Eyeshadow come in 4 fab shades. Or take a look at my Indelible Eyeshadows in bright and neutral hues. Next define the shape of your eyes with longlasting make up eye liner Bobbi Brown, Clinique and Stila all have ones that really go the distance. Finish with waterproof mascara. Cheeks get a flush of  colour with a pinkish or apricotish coloured blush. I love my Sunset Blush, Benefit Posytint and Clinique Blushwear sticks.

Finally for lips again keep it simple lip balms have come a long way. Tinted lip balms look great, come in loads of shades, are not sticky and they protect and look after your lips. What more could you want.

If you are really over heating then do what I do when I want to refresh a models make-up in the heat spray Beauty Formulas Face & Body Cooling Mist Spray on your face a gently dab with a tissue. You will look refreshed and your make-up won’t have budged. I really hope these tips help you keep looking great all summer long.
Until next time.

Ariane x

Winter lipstick shades are always gorgeous, but some women feel their lips aren’t the right shape to take a strong colour. Well, there are a few things I do to make my clients’ lips look full and luscious. First I run an illuminating pen like my Mineral Illuminating Pen or Touche Éclat around the outside of the lips and then blend in. The light reflectors in this type of product will immediately make lips look fuller.

Then take a lip coloured lip pencil and line along the outer edge of the lips. Most women line their lips along the inner edge of the lips making them appear smaller. Now for extra plumping I fill in with a lip plumping gloss. If you are not a fan of gloss then add a dab of shimmery highlighter to the centre of your lips for a fuller effect.

Choosing the perfect red lipstick can be tricky. There is that old rule that says if you have a warm skin tone opt for a red with a warm (yellow or orange) undertone. If you have a cool skin tone then go for a red with a cool (blue) undertone. But this does not always work. The reason is that warm toned reds may look great against your skin but as lip colours they tend to make teeth look yellow. So unless you have super white teeth I would suggest staying away from red lipsticks with a strong warm undertone.

If you just can’t wear a blue toned red then choose one of the mid toned reds. That is one with neither a warm or cool undertone. Another alternative is to pop a blue toned gloss over your warm red lipstick. These fab blue glosses won’t change the colour of your lipstick but will help teeth remain looking white.

And for lipstick to look good you need a great base! The best way to get your make-up to last all night is to use either long lasting products or use primers and layering. There are some excellent primers that you put on before your foundation to help it stay looking fresh.

To keep eyeshadow on for longer I apply an eye base, NOT a concealer or foundation, these will make your eyeshadow crease. I then use long lasting gel shadows and liners (try ariane poole* Indelible Shadows & Gel Liners). Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown and MAC also do them. These are everything resistant! They really go the distance. To keep cheeks looking fresh I either use a stain like Benefit’s Benetint or PosyTint. If not that then I apply a cream blush first followed by a powder blush in the same colour.

Phew.  I have just got back from Birmingham after doing an event there and I am still recovering from the National Wedding Show, at which I shared a stand with Errol Douglas, and that was non-stop.  I was doing VIP makeovers as well as doing on stage looks and answering questions on our stand.  We kept having to race around from the main stage back to our stand to answer questions – I ran miles!

It’s a lovely time to be a bride!  Spring is a time of year traditionally associated with weddings, and although the horrible weather at the moment makes it feel like midwinter, Spring is on the way (thank goodness!)  And also with all these celebrity marriages falling apart left right and centre it’s important for us all to feel and look optimistic about love in the Springtime!
The look for Spring is a fusion of sexy and fresh. Combining the two is very interesting and very beautiful, with smokey browns on the eyes and peachy cheeks and lips.

A peachy blush is big this season and will keep your look innocent.

First perfect your complexion so that it is velvety looking, not too matte and not too shiny.

Next define the brows. Now create a brown, not a black smokey eye look – very Tom Ford for Estee Lauder this Spring. Lashings of dark brown waterproof mascara keep it soft and sexy. A flush of peach or apricot blush on the apples of the cheeks give the look an innocent feeling, so right for modern brides. A touch of shimmer under the arch of the brows and along the tops of the cheekbones lifts the face, and a peachy/apricot glossy lip completes this alluring look.  And there you have it;  the perfect Spring bride.

Love,
Ariane x

An essential part of your beauty kit is your applicators. These are often overlooked and not looked after as they should be. Make-up artists invest in good brushes, which with proper maintenance last for years. Mine are 15 years old and still look great and work beautifully. Dirty, grubby brushes, sponges & puffs could be the reason your foundation, eye shadows, blushers and powders may not be going on as smoothly or looking as good as they could. Dirty applicators are also the main cause of some skin irritations, as a result of bacteria breeding on them. They absorb any oils, dirt or pollution that may be on your face.

I clean my ‘working’ brushes each time I use them but my own personal brushes once every 3 to 4 weeks, which is what I would suggest you do as well. Sponges really should be washed after each use. I would suggest using a foundation brush instead of a sponge to apply foundation for a couple of reasons: sponges tend to absorb too much product (wasteful), sponges are hard to keep clean and sponges tend to put on a heavier amount of foundation. A foundation brush is made of synthetic hair, is easy to wipe clean after each use and you get an air brushed application effect that looks very natural.

Brush Care:
It’s easy to clean your brushes. You can use a store bought brush cleaner or professional brush wipes. Alternatively just wet the bristles thoroughly with warm water. Then wash them with whatever shampoo you use (as long as it’s not a dandruff one). That way you’ll know that what you clean your brushes with won’t irritate your skin. Once they’re debris free, rinse them in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Now gently squeeze out the excess water (I find using paper towels works well). Reshape and lay flat on a paper towel to dry. I usually wash my brushes in the evening so that they’re ready the next day.

I hope that you are now the owner of a make up bag to be proud of!

Ariane x

I was asked at my Make-Up Master Class whether or not make-up brushes are necessary for an amateur. To which I replied, “Yes, you do need good brushes, but they needn’t cost the earth and nor do you need loads of them”.

A professional make-up artist would never dream of making up anyone without the right tools. So why is it that so many women feel that they don’t need the right brushes or worse still use those little applicators that come with the products?

You don’t need loads of brushes, just a few key ones to make making-up easy. I like ones with short handles because you can get closer to the mirror.

Create the right look with make up brushes

1) The first is a foundation brush. Not only will you apply your foundation like a professional but you will use less foundation (saving you money) and you will achieve a smooth almost air brushed affect. A foundation brush has flat but soft bristles and is used to apply cream based or liquid foundation.

2) A powder/bronzer brush. This is a large full brush perfect for dusting on powder or sweeping on bronzer.
If you wear a mineral foundation or bronzer you may want to use a kabuki type of brush. These types of brushes are shorter and denser than your regular powder brush.

3) A double ended brow brush. The brush end will keep your brows looking neatly in place and the angled end will let you fill in any gaps and define the shape.

4) A blusher brush is a must if you use any type of powder blush. The brush should have a full head of slightly tapered hair. Make sure your brush is soft other wise you may find your blush goes on streaky. Please don’t use the free brushes that come with blushers. They tend to be too hard bristled making application blotchy and uncomfortable.

If you are a cream blush wearer then you can use a (different!) foundation brush.

5) A medium and a small sized eye shadow brush. Use the medium one to sweep shadow across the eye and the smaller one to define the lash and socket line.

With just these few brushes you will find your make-up goes on effortlessly and you’ll look great! The brushes I love are of course my Ariane Poole Brushes, MAC, Bobbi Brown and Body Shop.

Get brushing!
Ariane

If you’ve over plucked your brows in the past you may have noticed that they don’t always grow back as nicely as one would like. Luckily there are some great brow powders on the market. I prefer brow powders to the hard brow pencils because they look more natural. Check out my Universal Brow Powder, Chanel Brow Powder, Clinique Brow Shaper, Shavata Brow Perfection Box and Body Shop Brow Powder Pencil. The following techniques will help correct and define even the sparsest of brows.

My Universal Brow Powder and double ended brush will work wonders on sparse eyebrows.

- To find the most flattering shape for your eyes, use the pencil test which will tell you where your brows should start and end.
- Starting on the right side, place a pencil vertically along the side of your nose past your eyebrow.
- Next place the pencil diagonally from the edge of your nostril to the outer corner of the eye.
- Your brows should arch gradually, starting over the pupil. Looking directly into the mirror place the pencil vertically along the outer part of your iris. Now repeat on the left side.
- Using a brow brush start by brushing your eyebrows down (I know this sounds odd but it works). Then using an angled edge brush dipped into your chosen Brow Powder, go lightly along the top of the brows.
- Brush eyebrows back up. You’ll see an immediate difference. You can now fill in the gaps from underneath using the same technique. Finish with a brush of Brow Gel to seal.

If you are wanting to get your brows to grow again then I have just been let into a great little secret… There is a new product that is being launched in June by a new company called Eye Candy. It is an eyelash and eyebrow grow accelerator called LASH XLerator. I have heard some great things about it so check it out.

And finally if your brows are really past the growing or fill in stage, I have seen some terrific brow tattoos. In the past I would never have suggested this course of action because they really looked false but now with the new types of pigments brows are looking good.

I hope this helps achieve gorgeous looking brows!

Until next time,

Ariane x

Whether your big day is looming or you have a wedding or two to attend in the coming summer months, these tips should give you a fresh and sophisticated look that lasts all day and into the night. This look is perfect for someone who doesn’t wear much make-up but wants to look polished on the day, or for someone who wants an understated look. Think Jennifer Aniston!

Face

Start with an anti shine primer. They are a must in any hot or humid temperatures and will help your make-up go on effortlessly and last the whole day. They also help keep excess shine at bay without having to pile on the powder. Next apply the right foundation for your skin tone, if you need it. I like using liquid mineral foundations or matte mineral powder foundation depending on your skin type. Minerals are great because they contain non-chemical SPF’s so they are protecting your skin as well as making it look great. If you are not a foundation wearer or you don’t need it, then skip straight to the concealer. A little concealer applied to any blemishes or dark circles will create a picture perfect complexion.

Eyes

Keep the eye soft and simple and brows should be shaped and defined. Apply a taupe eyeshadow shade just to the lids. Accent the outer corners with a brown pencil. To create more impact, use a dark brown gel liner and run it along the base of the top lashes. Gel liners are great because they are waterproof so should withstand anything the day throws at you. Highlight under the arch of the brows with a pale champagne cream to powder highlighter and then finish with waterproof mascara in black.

Cheeks

Add a sweep of highlighter along the tops of the cheeks bones for a stunning accent.

Lips

Apply a lip base first to keep your lip colour on longer and then define the shape of your lips with lip coloured pencil. Finish with a caramel lip colour or a lip stain then follow with a touch of gloss.

Complete the look with a dusting of Powder just on your t-zone.

Enjoy!

Ariane x

Hi all,

I just LOVE this fabulous weather. I can now wear all those fabby things that a month ago just wouldn’t have worked. But can I? The other day feeling inspired by the warm(ish) sunny weather I got out my new Nautical dress, a lovely pair of navy patent heels and my white blotchy legs!!

I couldn’t wear tights with this outfit, I hadn’t got time to wait for a false tan to develop and there is NO chance of a real tan for ages. I had two choices: choose another thing to wear (I really didn’t want to do that) or to find a solution. So I did!

Shimmer Tint in Bronze

1) If the skin on your legs is looking dry or scaly, use a Body Shop synthetic scrub puff along with a moisturising body wash. They are inexpensive and they work!

2) Moisturise those legs. I have just discovered that the US-based Aveeno is now available here. They not only do a lotion but lotion/oil combinations too and the range is great for sensitive skin.

3) Legs not looking as tight and toned as you would like? I mixed my Aveeno with my L’Oreal Perfectslim or Chanel’s Body Excellence Firming Refining Serum.

4) Now for the instant colour. If your legs are blotchy or have bruises or veins then reach for Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs. I am not a big fan of tanning and my legs need a bit more help than a faux tan product could offer and this makes your legs look great!! I spray it on and blend with my hands so it looks super smooth and flawless. I mix a layer of the Light Glow with a light mist of the Medium. If you don’t need as much coverage then try L’Oreal Instant Bronze or St Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion.

When my limbs don’t need quite as much assistance I use Laura Mercier Body Bronzing Make-up on arms, legs and décolleté.

I hope this helps you get your legs out!

Until next week,

Ariane x