Mask-Friendly Beauty Tips From 5 Pro Makeup Artists
The aesthetics of autumn have birthed so many beauty trends that we now associate with colder weather, from vampy lips to flushed cheeks. But with COVID-19 restrictions still in full swing, and us wearing masks that cover half of our faces, it's safe to say that our everyday makeup is going to look a little different this season.
Below, L'Officiel speaks with five professional and celebrity makeup artists about how to navigate beauty trends while wearing PPE. Whether it be showing underrated facial features some love or focusing on different categories of products, here's how to keep your makeup on-trend and mask-friendly.
It's All About the Eyes
Wearing a mask gives us the perfect opportunity to amp up our eye makeup — but that doesn't have to mean a smokey eye or dramatic colour every day. Editorial makeup artist Mona Leanne suggests a few easy ways to accentuate the eyes. “A beige pencil in the waterline is a great way to make the eye pop when you don’t want to wear a lot of eye makeup,” she says. “But personally, I’m a sucker for a feline flick to make the eyes really stand out when wearing a mask — extend the line in the inner corners of the eye to make it extra catty.”
Another simple tweak, courtesy of Beau Nelson — who works with Miu Miu, Tom Ford and more — is to give the lashes a good curl. “I feel like this is a step people don’t always do, and it makes such a difference, even if you aren’t wearing mascara,” Nelson tells us. “It opens up your eyes and makes you look awake, and it helps to emphasise the colour of your eyes as well.”
Reach for Autumnal Shades
If eyeshadow is more your thing, Samantha Lau (Dua Lipa's go-to makeup artist) recommends reddish cranberry and warm brown shades, a universally-flattering colour family that adds warmth to any look. "A few years ago, Chanel came out with this beautiful eyeshadow quad (Candeur et Experience), that has three beautiful matte brown shades and one matte brick red colour," she says. "If you want a similar eyeshadow palette but in a slightly shimmery finish, Charlotte Tilbury’s Walk of No Shame eyeshadow palette is beautiful, too. The powders are so creamy, you can easily apply and blend them."
Let Your Skin Shine Through
Be it the extra time we have to indulge in skincare or our tendency to apply makeup with a lighter hand due to quarantine, natural skin is making a comeback. "Maybe the only upside to COVID-19 is that people are wearing less foundation," says Nelson. Another fan is Romy Soleimani, who worked with Emily Ratajkowski on her recent cover shoot. "Gorgeous skin that glows is a favourite of mine, and I'm glad it's now trending," she says.
Accentuate the Brows
Another feature to emphasise is the brown, and Michael Anthony — the makeup artist behind Ariana Grande's looks in her new "Positions" MV — is loving fluffy, lifted eyebrows. "With everyone wearing masks, you only have the face from above the nose — so the way we communicate with facial expression is limited to the eyes and eyebrows," he says. "Why not have expressive, uplifted eyebrows to talk with and talk about?" When it comes to products, he recommends Patrick Ta's Major Brows and Anastasia Beverly Hills' brow gels.
