absolutely flawless: ask the expert...

The SWD put your beauty questions to Lou Page, the lady who makes the likes of Kate Winslett, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp even more beautiful

What are your wedding day make-up options? Click here to read the pros and cons of the DIY route Vs bringing in the professionals

What's the most important thing to remember when doing your own make-up?

Make-up is about complementing one’s natural beauty and not masking it. The face is made up of areas that protrude and recede, for example the hollows of the cheeks, tip of the chin and temples etc. Traditionally these areas are highlighted and shaped to accentuate the face’s natural shape. Remember the importance of light and dark; light will pull areas forward and dark will push areas back. Think about your face shape and how you can sculpt the features. Foundation should camouflage imperfections yet disappear like magic into the skin, evening out a skin tone while letting your own skin show through. The shade should just disappear and not change the tone of your skin.

What are the most common pitfalls to avoid when applying make-up?

The key to successful application is a good imagination and the correct tools. Any make-up artist will tell you the right brushes are as important as the make-up itself. Try the brush by running it over the part of the face it is designed for to see how it feels. Think about the pressure you apply and the angle of the brush and the effect on the look. Prep the skin with the right moisturiser for the skin type, it’s the most important step to looking fresher with or without make-up. A good application is ultimately about creating a ‘no make-up, make-up’ look enhancing your natural features.

What foundation is best for darker skins?

The biggest complaint among women with deeper tones is that it often ends up looking ashy when applying a base. This is the grey cast that comes from using a foundation that’s too pale. I prefer a foundation in warmer tones because they tend to melt into the skin better on darker tones.

What's the best way to describe to a make-up artist the look you want?

1. Collect looks and styles that you have seen in magazines.
2. Let the artist know who your style icons are.
3. Take samples of fabric and colours to be used at the wedding.
4. Finally let the artist see what products are in your current make-up bag.

How should brides deal with problem skin and blemishes?

It’s all about having a good concealer, foundation and powder, ie make-up that can help divert attention away from areas of concern. The one product that most dramatically improves a woman’s appearance would be under-eye concealer because of the way it brightens up the face. This is the best method for opening up the eye area, making them appear bright and awake:

• Choose a pink or peach tone concealer, then cover later with a yellow toned foundation
• Place the concealer on the back of your hand to warm first and blend
• Pat gently into place with a flat and slightly domed brush or use your finger tips. This helps prevent smearing and pushes the product into place
• Always apply concealer under the eyes and up to the lash line, then to the inner corner of the eyes and the hollow sides of the nose

Any advice on how to choose the right eye shadow?

When shopping for eye colour, always test on the inside of your wrist where the skin is a similar tone to that of the eyelid. Choose a colour to enhance the eye, this means opting for shades that contrast with rather than matching the eye colour. The eye area should already be primed with the foundation and powder to provide a base; without this light layer the natural oils within the eyelid will grab the colour, often ending in creases. To stop stray specks of eye shadow ruining your make-up always tap the handle of the shadow brush first, and place a tissue under the eye area to catch specks. Many powder shadows are formulated to be used dry or damp, which allows you to adjust the intensity of the colour – and they can be doubled up as eyeliner. For a natural look use two co-ordinating colours, one light and one mid tone. Here’s how to apply it:

• Sweep the light colour across the whole eye area, from lash line to brow
• Next sweep the mid tone from lash line to the crease. This can be extended up by blending.
• For a sophisticated look use a third deeper tone to contour the depth of the crease and the outer corners as this is the best place for definition – think of a ‘V’ shape on its side.
• Remember: blend, blend and blend
• Use a smoky eye shadow only on the upper lid at the outer corner to uplift the eye. This is perfect for older clients.
• If you encircle the eye with the same colour shadow this will make the eyes rounder and fuller

If you have a make-up query for Lou, give her a call on 07946 758 954