A one to one masterclass with a celebrity makeup artist? Yes please!
From a young age I’ve always been fascinated by makeup, so to actually sit down with a celebrity makeup artist and learn the ticks of the trade, it was a real treat.
With over 20 years experience including being the head make up artist at the BAFTA’s, leading teams at London Fashion Week, being the Lancôme National UK Make up Artist and working with clients such as Sienna Miller, Goldie Hawn and Jessica Biel, you can imagine how excited I was to meet Amanda Bell.
Walking into her studio is a girls dream. With Hollywood mirrors, venetian furniture and cream decor its your ultimate dressing room!
So last week I had the opportunity of doing a one to one masterclass with the mua herself. I learnt how to look like the star of my own Red Carpet entrance and learning all the techniques for a polished result.
The Red Carpet Glamour masterclass is a step by step demonstration on adding drama and dimension to your desired look. Amanda focuses on using your own makeup in ways you’ve never thought of before!
So if your like me and never had any training on applying makeup, read on to learn lots of hints and tips…
Amanda offers five different masterclasses from complexion, mesmer-eyes and red carpet. Out of all the masterclasses this glamour coaching sounded amazing.
From primers to contouring, to shimmer shades and brow definition – this has it all!
What I loved was the fact you could take notes so you have a guide to refer back to when you’re at home. I found it so interesting to learn the basics and how to put your makeup on correctly. But also that I wasn’t completing wrong and it was nice to see I wasn’t doing too bad of a job already!
So the debate of complexion or eyes first? Personally I always do my base first and we actually did in this class too.
Here I’ve listed each steps with hints and tips I learned along the way…
Skincare
Create the perfect canvas! Moisturiser is essential, dab until skin is firm and apply your chosen primer. Rub the primer like a moisturiser and massage into the skin especially under the eyes and t-zone.
Foundation
What do you use to apply foundation? It all depends on an even distribution, some use sponges, some use brushes but Amanda reccommends a brush that provides an even coverage. Apply the foundation in circular movements, the more flexible the brush is, the less product you’ll use.
Concealer
I don’t know about you but this is an essential for me! A concealer acts as a brightener and enhances your complexion. Amanda recommends applying concealer to our chin, around the nose, eyes and brow bone. Personally I would use a sponge, but for a dewy natural finish Amanda uses her fingers to dab the concealer until set.
Contour
I think most girls make the mistake of using too much bronzer. Contouring is about enhancing your facial features so the more subtle you do this, the better the finish. This masterclass is about being glamourous but looking like there’s not much going on. So with contouring Amanda used a light fluffy brush to smooth the highlight really delicately. It’s important to not apply too close to the eye as your eyes can look puffy.
For the bronze, use a tippled brush and apply where the corner of your mouth and inner ear meet. To find this, simply place your brush against the corner of your lip and place back to your face. That’s where you can enhance your cheek bone. Again, like highlight its about lightly brushing to the face.
Blush
Less is more. Brush excess on your hand first to add a small definition to the apple of your cheeks. You can use the blush to blend out into the bronzer, creating a natural flush to the face.
Eyes
Eyeshadow and liner is the trickiest of techniques personally so I was interested to see Amanda’s tips! For eyeshadow it’s all about the angle. Amanda recommends using a kohl pencil to stencil the outer shadow for a smoky eye. This will create a longer finish. Use a light brown to make a marker along the lash line to where your lashes flick up – use black for extra drama. This will give the definition of your eyes looking bigger and lashes longer. Blend out the shade with a mid brown. It’s always important to blend the shadow on the socket line with your eyes open.
To pick the best colour, go for the opposite on the colour chart. So if your Hazel like me, purple and plum shades work well whereas if your blue-eyed, bronzes and oranges work well. If your brown go for cool shades such as navy.
To complete the shadow I opted for a brick-red and brown for the inner shadows and a light shimmer for the inner eye finished with glitter.
Then to apply eyeliner, use your lash line as a guide, starting from the inner eye. For the flick you should have a small section between where the shadow finishes and where your lashes are, follow the curve of your lashes and you should create a desired flick.
Brows
Whether you use a gel, pencil or powder its important to colour match and extenuate your brows. The arch should begin where your pupils are. Amanda recommends loosening the brush and feathering the colour, rather than drawing it on for a natural look. Personally I use a gel and a powder to set.
To finish your Red Carpet glamour, add your chosen lip shade. For a smoky eye I would recommend a nude or peach. I wore red to dramatise the look and honestly I was so impressed.
To get the insight of someone who’s painted the faces of hollywood legends, it was an amazing experience.
Amanda is so warm and friendly and I couldn’t have asked for a better masterclass. I learnt a lot trust me, I do hope the tips and tricks I’ve mentioned here can help you too.
If your from the North East, I would 100% recommend trying a masterclass from Amanda’s Elite Makeup Studio. It’s the ultimate gift for someone who is makeup obsessed or if you want to update your skills.
Thank you Amanda Bell for a lovely evening, I’ve taken away so many new skills and looking forward to practising these for nights out this summer.
