Having struggled for ages trying to find the perfect makeup foundation, a really bad photo of me in a paper prompted me to go and do something about it and invest in some expert makeup advice. So I signed up for a one to one makeup lesson with Zoe Clarke and I can now safely say that it’s the best thing I ever did.
Foundation
As it turns out, I have a pink undertone in my skin (as do a lot of Irish women) as opposed to a yellow skin tone, so I need to go for the same thing in makeup. The bad photos were a combination of wearing yellow based “too gloopy” makeup and poorly applied concealer, so Zoe set about giving me the inside track on what I should be doing makeup wise for my skin.
With Mac makeup the pink tones are indicated by an N or NW (yellow based Mac foundation goes by C or NC) and after looking at my skin, Zoe recommended Mac Face and Body N1 which is a large bottle which makeup artists use.
It’s very sheer and the idea, as with any makeup, is that your own skin shines through, but if you wanted more “coverage”, opt for Armani Luminous Silk in No 4, and apply with a sponge or finger tips (after doing all your concealer, of course).
Foundations can cost anything up to €60 or more, so Zoe suggests a “try before you buy” approach, ask for a sample to try at a makeup counter. At Giorgio Armani they’ll give you a little pot to sample, as they should in Mac. Go home and try both and see which one suits you better in different scenarios, then invest in your favourite one!
Concealer
For concealers, the opposite is true to the foundation rule – Zoe recommended Mac Studio Finish concealer NC20, in a pot. This has a yellow undertone, and applied with your finger, it “blocks out” the reddy bits on my face. A pink based concealer would only highlight these.
The List
Two hours later, I emerged from my lesson, looking fabulous (and like Murphy’s Law, that day I had “nowhere to go”!) with a full A4 sheet, front and back, listing products, descriptions and drawings of makeup, brushes and how to use them. Essentially, everything I’d learned that morning, on paper.
Some of Zoe recommendations are “easy buys” from testing samples before buying at makeup counters in stores such as Brown Thomas, to visiting more hard-to-get- to experts for their cult products, for example the Revision Tinted Moisturizer (with SPF 50) from the Dermatologist, Dr. Rosemary Coleman.
The list is now my makeup “bible” – It’s been bashed about in my bag at this stage as I’m buying the makeup gradually, but I’ll get my hands on all these beauties eventually.
Zoe Clark is one of Irelands most sought after makeup artists and offers personal one to one makeup lessons, professional courses to become a make-up artist, bridal makeup and fashion shoots. A personalised make-up lesson costs from €200 and lasts about 2-3 hours. http://www.zoeclark.com/
Images shown all show Zoe Clark’s work:
Left: Marie Louise Halpanny shoot for Image
Centre: Robert Diadul shoot for Louise Kennedy
Right: Kieran Harnett shoot for Confetti
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July 21, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I also did a course some years ago with Zoe-she’s brill
August 4, 2010 at 10:39 am
Love the Mac face and body foundation.Always stock up in the USA.
Another amazing product is the Mac Studio Fix Prep & Prime SPF 50 which is great for under foundation. Keeps make up on your face all day!