Natural beauty...

Today I want to share some of my techniques for creating this very subtle smoky eye and make-up - a look that's intended to simply highlight the beauty that every women already has. I am all for very creative make-up looks with colour and contrast but sometimes it's nice to take a step back and embrace what we've been given, rather than hiding it. One thing I have been doing with this particular photographer (Manny Roman) is slathering the models in Extra Virgin coconut oil. Both of us understand the importance of looking after the model's skin, even if it's just for a few hours. It creates this fantastic sheen and glow when photographed in natural light conditions. It's not so good to use in studio unless you use it sparingly - due to over-exposure with the bright studio lights.  In another post I will talk more in-depth about the benefits and uses of extra virgin coconut oil and the best places to source it. But today I will be focusing more on the make-up and what was used to create the look on this stunning model.

When it comes to a natural make-up, less is always more in my books! I aim to let the natural tones and even pores of a person's skin show through and only using a little concealer in areas that need extra attention. Luckily for me this beauty had the most amazing skin already, so the only area's that needed extra TLC were under her eyes. 

Skin: 
The key to a good, natural make-up is to firstly prep the skin well, leaving it looking supple and hydrated. So I used one of my favourite primers by Illamasqua, called Hydra Veil. And although Tsanna's skin was already supple, adding more moisture brings out that natural glow even more. 
I then used Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser in Walnut, with its hydrating properties, SPF and its lightweight formula, this has to be one of my all time favourite products and it seems to suit all skin types - even oily! I would just be aware that a product with an SPF higher than 15 can perform differently in the studio, as light bounces off SPF.
 
To finish off the skin I used Illamasqua's strobe cream - GLEAM in Aurora, just along the bridge of the nose, along the cupid's bow, cheek & brow bones, with a little on the forehead. 

Eyes:
The subtle smoky eye was created with Mac's warm neutral eye shadow palette. 
After prepping the lid with Mac's Paint pot in Ground work, the lid was then covered in 'butterfudge', with a mix of 'saddle' and 'dance in the dark' in the crease and under the lash line for definition. Moving outward to create a slight cat eye. I then used one of my go to products, Illamasqua Precision Gel Eyeliner;  just along the top lash line, keeping very close to the lashes so that you can barely tell that it's there. I love this product as it does not drag on the skin no matter how little you use, it just glides on like silk. I finished the eyes off with Mac's Black track gel liner in the water line, which I often use instead of a pencil as it stays put and does not clump into the tear ducts. I then topped the look off with Bobbie brown everything mascara. 
And not forgetting a little concealer - Mac's pro conceal and correct palette in Medium Deep was used under the eyes.

Brows:
Tsanna's brows were so perfect already that all I did was spray a disposable mascara wand with hairspray and gave them a brush through to keep them in place. I then filled in any gaps with Mac's brow pencil in spiked. 

Lips:
Last but not least, I applied one of my favourite lipglosses by Neals yard in nude. Not only is it one of my favourites because it doesn't leave your lips feeling sticky, but also because all their products contain over 91% organic ingredients. Plus they smell and feel amazing! 

Hair: 
As Tsanna has natural Indian type hair she already had a lot of body and shine to it. So all I had to do was add a little L'Oréal Mythic oil serum to the ends for slight separation and an oily look with a tiny spritz of urban fudge hair spray to the roots. She then messed with it while shooting for natural movement.

Body:
The very last touch was to cover Tsanna's body in Extra virgin coconut oil so that she was a glowing goddess that smelt edible (if you like coconut of course ;)

Product links:-
Mac: 
Paint pot (ground work)
Warm neutral eye shadow palette
Black track Gel liner
Pro conceal and correct palette (Medium Deep)

Illamasqua: 
Hydra Veil
GLEAM ‪(‎Arura)‬  
Precision Gel Eyeliner
Brow pencil (spiked)

Lauramercier: 
Tinted moisturiser (Walnut)

Bobbie brown: 
Everything mascara

Neals yard:
Lipgloss (nude)

Urban fudge: 
Hair spray

L'Oréal:
Mythic oil serum

Extra virgin coconut oil - all over the body

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