Whether you’ve got a cosy night-in planned, a hot date or out looking for love, we’ve got two organic beauty looks to make sure you look amazing, whatever you’re doing this Valentine’s! Our resident green make-up artist and expert Lou Dartford shows you how to achieve them.
PRETTY: Take inspiration from the original 60’s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot, known for her feline eyes and nude lips.
Prep skin well with a good organic moisturiser and eye cream. Skin needs to be radiant so try a brightening primer such as VAPOUR’s Stratus Instant Skin Perfector. Use a lightweight base to even out your skin, try VAPOUR’S Luminous Foundation
This look is all about the eyes, you want strong definition around the lash lines, but use a kohl pencil so you can soften edges, keeping it soft and sultry. Your line doesn’t have to be perfect because you are going to smudge it, just try and get as close to the lash line as you can. Black may be too harsh so try a chocolate brown instead. VAPOUR ORGANIC’s Mesmarize Eyeliners are perfect, the smudgers on the end of the pencils are a great tool for this look. Give your liner a gentle flick up on the ends to lift eyes.
Curl lashes and use JANE IREDALE’s Purelash Extender and Conditioner underneath your mascara to help create a fuller lash. Then gently layer your natural mascara, combing through each time so you can flutter those lashes to your hearts content.
Team sexy kohled eyes with a nude lip. KJAER WEIS ‘Dream State’ Lip Tint a the perfect nude-beige with a velvety finish that will look great with this look. Add a gloss such as ILIA ‘White Rabbit’ Glitter Gloss to plump your lips and make them ultra kissable.
Finish the look with a natural glow on the cheeks, try RMS Beauty Lip2cheek in ‘Smile’ then add a subtle sheen with W3LL PEOPLE Colourstick in ‘No 2’. Add a touch of this to eyelids, browbones and your cupids bow too, to lift and brighten. Keep nails natural with a delicate pink such as Rose Milk by KURE BAZAAR.
VAMPY: If you want to make more of a statement, vamp it up like 1920’s screen siren Louise Brooks, she certainly knew how to get noticed.
If going for a stronger make-up look, it’s really important to make sure your skin looks fresh. Heavy foundation will make the overall look too heavy and dated. You want your skin to glow – try OSKIA’s Get Up and Glow after your moisturiser – you can also use this at the very end of your make-up or to freshen skin during the day.
When doing dark eyes, try doing them before your foundation. Start with a kohl pencil and draw into the lash line, going as close to the lashes as you can. Then start to take the pencil up onto your lid, blending it as you go with either your finger or a brush. This will give you a good base for your eyeshadow. JANE IREDALE’s Eye Pencil in ‘Basic Black’ is good for this. Next take STUDIO 78 PARIS’ pressed eyeshadow in ‘Hip Party’ and ‘press’ it on top of your liner base, then blend it up into, and along the socket line. Take it along your bottom lashes too, go as dark as you dare but be sure to blend well. If you would like a softer option try STUDIO 78’s Art Opening. Lashings of mascara will finish the eyes- try the new KJAER WEIS Refillable Mascara to add length and longevity.
Define brows with JANE IREDALE’s Bitty Brow Kit, use a brush to gently fill in any gaps, be careful not to go too heavy as this can weigh eyes down.
If any shadow has dropped underneath the eyes, clean up with some remover on a cotton bud. This is a good time to conceal under the eyes, RMS BEAUTY ‘Un’ Cover Up is a great multi-tasker – use it under eyes and anywhere else that needs some coverage. Set with a dusting of RMS ‘Un’ Powder or STUDIO 78’s Mattifying powder for a little light coverage.
Brighten your complexion with a gentle flush, W3LL PEOPLE Colourstick in ‘No 7’ is a peony, that will lift your skin but not look overdone.
For this look lips are bold too, ILIA’s Femme Fatale is perfect for it. Use a brush for a precision look or use your finger for a more relaxed feel. VAPOUR’s Elixir Lip Plumping Gloss in ‘Bitten’ over the top will add extra drama.
INTENSAE’S Izzy deep red nail lacquer will complete your vampy look!
Images: Louise Brookes | Brigitte Bardot
