Vogue - 5 simple beauty tips from Madonna’s former make-up artist
Madonna is renowned for her porcelain skin and age-defying beauty. But, it’s not just the luck of good genes, it’s also dedication to serious skincare along with the skilled hand of an expert make-up artist.
For more than a decade, Intraceuticals brand ambassador and celebrity make-up artist Gina Brooke was the deft hand behind Madonna’s glowing visage as the Material Girl’s personal make-up assistant.
Considered a towering talent in the beauty industry, Brooke has readied many a celebrity A-lister for a red carpet appearance and is well-versed in how to get that movie star glow.
Here, Brooke shares five key beauty tips, including how to do a killer red lip.
What is your favourite technique for achieving flawless-looking skin?
“My most favourite technique for flawless looking skin is [using] the Retouch range by Intraceuticals. [The products] contain high performance feature-perfecting serums that allow you to sculpt, define and enhance your targeted facial features. While at the same time, blurring out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving your complexion by hydrating your skin and creating the most perfect canvas for beautiful make-up!”
Please share how to do a red lip that doesn’t bleed.
“Hydration is an important factor... and nothing beats the impact of a bold lip! Prep lips using Intraceuticals Lip Mask to define, hydrate and leave lips feeling hydrated and revived. My favourite lip liner for red lips with long-wearing staying power is Aqua lip liner by Make Up For Ever in 8C.”
“The key to longevity begins by lining and filling your entire lip prior to lipstick application. Liner will maximise longwear and ultimately, keep your lips from bleeding. Be sure to apply a lipstick (one shade lighter or brighter) such as Tom Ford’s lipstick in Flame to the centre of your bottom lip, creating a pop of colour and maximising definition.”
What are your best brow tricks?
“To create a more natural appearance, use a pencil and roll the tip in the palm of your hand before application—the warmth of your skin will soften the tip and allow the pencil to glide onto your skin smoothly. Be sure to always begin at the arch of the brow and apply to the outer edge. Beginning at the arch creates a softer, more defined appearance.”
“Avoid application with a pencil at the beginning of your brow (using a pencil at the beginning of your brow will create the illusion of angry brows) try using an arched brow brush and powder to fill in brows along the edge in a light and feathery manner creating a softer and polished look.”
What are your top beauty hacks for enhancing the eyes?
“Curling lashes and applying mascara is the first step to enhancing the eyes. The next big step is adding lashes to instantly create the illusion of a larger appearance. Another option, is to apply a soft black or dark brown liner (as close to the upper and lower lash line as possible) then smudge the line with a dense brush to create a softer more natural appearance. Apply a shadow ([in a] slightly lighter colour) directly above the liner to create gradation and work your way up and out... that will create [the] perfect illusion of a larger eye. Apply a cream/neutral liner to the waterline to create a wide-eyed, well-rested effect.”
How do you prep skin on your clients before a red carpet event?
“The key to beautiful make-up begins with the skin. My go-to prep product is Intraceuticals’s Retouch Hyaluronic Base Serum to prep and smooth the skin.”
BY LUCIE CLARK Vogue