By International Makeup Artist Ciara O’Shea
(fresh from working on the Dior Couture show in Paris if you don’t mind!)
I see a trend in old school glamour this season. Lace, beading, intricate designs and couture tailoring. I see a return to sleeves, shoulders, and straps, more so than ever before. The vibe is Grace Kelly; the mood is late 1940’s. I am thinking velvety lips, shimmery lids and expensive lashes. This is the time to indulge your inner goddess. Grooms, a return to Cary Grants’ sense of style is in vogue this season. Dapper, sophisticated, extremely groomed and debonair. Sleek side partings, luxurious textures and dinner jackets is what it is all about. Brides, for you it is all about texture, from your hair to the dress, to your bespoke accessories.
Whatever you decide on for the big day, here are some of my TRIED & TESTED favorites. Many years, tears and mistakes have led me to this trusty lot:
Base Lumiere by Chanel; a great primer for dull dry skin.
Oil free primer by Laura Mercier; a must for oily skin
Lip Primer by Urban Decay; the absolute best for holding colour
Foundations by Bobbi Brown; they cater for all skin tones, types and textures.
Concealer by Laura Mercier; Secret Camouflage is my favourite regardless of skin type. It is dry enough to hold but can be warmed up to work for dryer skins.
Blot powders by MAC; great for excess shine
Powder; Poudre Cristalline; by Chanel; a perfect powder for dry types as it adds matte radiance
Blushers by Bobbi Brown; the best range of textures on the market.
Eyeliners and shadows by MAC; who does it better?
Mascara by Dior – Diorshow is my absolute go to for envious lashes.
Ellis Faas for Lip products; any colour, any texture, she has thought of it! Failing that try Bourjois, from tints to lipsticks they have a fantastic range.
Sue Devitt for Lip pencils; fat enough that they can even be used as an all over lip colour.
Must haves extras:
Givenchy lip tints; a handy long-wear lip pen
Dior Skinflash; the best anti-aging quick fix on the market.
Benefit Eyebright; I adore this pencil; it completely eradicates any signs of late nights or excess wine!
Eyebrow pencils by Revlon; a duo wand that whips even the most unruly brows in to shape
Highlighters by NARS; choose from the ever popular; Multiple; range or try the new; Orgasm Illuminator; a fabulous peach pink shade that looks great on any skin tone.
Body Scrub by Philosophy; Amazing Grace; hot salt scrub; gets you smelling great and squeaky clean in seconds.
Body spritz by Origins; Gloomaway; body mist; a heavenly body hydrator
Body illuminator by Benefit – Bathina; take a picture it last longer; is a great golden pink shade that works on all skin types to give you picture perfect pins.
ABOUT Ciara O’Shea
London based Irish girl Ciara O’Shea is fast becoming one of the most sought after young artists working in the fashion & beauty realm. Ciara has established an impressive portfolio working across the editorial, catwalk and music industries. She is a regular backstage at fashion weeks in London, New York, Milan and Paris. Ciara’s work has been featured in the pages of Vogue US, InStyle, The Sunday Times Style and RED magazine. She has worked with a range of talent from faces such as Emma Watson, Yasmin Le Bon, Jodie & Jemma Kidd and artists such as The Pussycat Dolls and Little Boots.
Ciara is a partner in the Zoë Clark Make-Up School, for more information on the courses available, visit ZoeClark.com.
