MAKE-UP fans have been racing to Glasgow after a new NARS store launched this month.
The cosmetics powerhouse opened its first flagship store outside of London on the city’s Buchanan Street on February 15.
My skin looked tired and dry before my NARS makeover[/caption]
My makeup consultation helped me realise the mistakes I’ve been making[/caption]
My face instantly felt more youthful and glowy after[/caption]
Set over two floors, the bright, buzzy store is a make-up lover’s dream.
Upstairs, the full range of NARS cosmetics – from bestellers like Light Reflecting Foundation to Afterglow Sensual Shine lipstick – are on offer alongside blushes and brushes.
Meanwhile, there are artist stations set up where customers can get expert advice from talented NARS pro make-up artists, ensuring
a personalised shopping experience.
It is here that I popped in for a makeup consultation with Nars consultant Carlie Lee, who has been with the company for six years.
With 15 years of experience as a makeup artist, Carlie is the regional education and events manager for the beauty brand.
At the age of 34, I was hoping she could give me some tips to salvage my makeup routine for my changing skin.
And I quickly discovered that there are seven simple mistakes I’ve been making that have been sabotaging my efforts.
Primer and moisturiser
It sounds simple, but knowing your skin is important.
I’ve always know that I have combination skin. It’s oily in some areas and dry in others.
But despite this knowledge, I slather moisturiser and primer over my whole face every morning.
It’s only when Carlie points out that you can target certain problem areas with a product that I realised my first mistake.
As an example, she told me, you might put a hydrating primer on the areas where you feel dry – but not necessarily all over the skin, because where you’re more oily, it might slip off.
It’s not something you automatically think about, but logically it makes sense.
As Carlie says: “It’s not one size fits all when assessing what products you’re using and what your routine is.”
Foundation
When focusing on the base, it turns out we could be making a mistake that costs us extra money.
Instead of splashing out on a foundation brush, Carlie insists that using your fingers gives the best result.
She told me: “We apply foundation with our hands so we don’t use a foundation brush, we don’t use a sponge.
“By warming it up in the palm of your hand and using fingers to apply it, it melts into your skin and blends.
“Just starting from the centre of your face and working out. I like to get a really nice overall light layer and then see where you want the extra coverage, like your cheeks.”
She added: “It’s just tapping it, it’s really nice and warm. So I’m not moving the product around your face.
“And because I’m tapping it, it’s getting that blood flow going in your skin again, it’s going to help your skin feel really nice and healthy.”
And it’s not just the application that I’ve been getting wrong.
Constantly in a hurry to get ready, it turns out that rushing steps between application has been ruining the flawless look.
Carlie explains: “If possible, allow 10 or 15 minutes for the foundation and complexion products to set into the skin nicely before using any setting products.
“In the perfect, ideal world giving time between layers and letting things breathe is always beneficial.”
Eyes
As soon as I hit my 30s, I definitely felt more conscious about creasing around my eyes.
In a bid to combat this, I have always focused on concealer below my eye area to brighten it up.
But while my thinking was not flawed, it turns out my method has been far from perfect.
Carlie recommends not applying directly below the lash line to avoid the product gathering too much.
Instead, apply slightly lower and ‘sweep’ it up towards the under eye area.
In terms of application, she adds: “Use your ring finger for applying under the eye because you’ve got a lot less tension in your ring finger and the last thing you want to do under your eye is stretch the skin more under your eye.”
The new NARS flagship store has opened in Glasgow[/caption]
Carlie used 14 products in total on my face[/caption]
The Buchanan Street spot is the first standalone store to open outwith London[/caption]
Bronzer
To add warmth to your face with bronzer, the NARS expert revealed you should always apply it “nice and high” to push up your features.
She adds: “The lower you put your bronzer, the more it’s going to pull your face down and make it look like you have a hollowed cheek.
“If you apply it nice and high, it’s going to make everything look lifted.”
Blusher
I’ve always avoided blusher after horrible flashbacks of bright pink cheeks in my teens.
But it turns out that avoiding this staple product has been robbing me of a youthful ‘pop’ of colour.
Carlie says: “Blusher gives a youthful glow and natural flush to the cheek.
“But make sure you ‘push’ the product into the brush enough so you get a seamless finish.”
Setting powder
Finally, I’ve been convinced to ditch my powder foundation that I always used to set my makeup.
With texture on my skin, I had always convinced myself that I needed maximum coverage.
But as my skin ages, this extra layer has been drying it out more and highlighting problem areas.
And a simple switch to a light reflecting pressed setting powder has made all the difference
While finishing off my base, Carlie told me: “It’s nice at setting everything in place but it doesn’t mattify everything, so you still have a healthy glow to your skin.”
She added: “Don’t apply it everywhere, just to the T-zone where you are more combination.
“Around your mouth as you’ll be talking, drinking. Everywhere you’re going to be moving or touching your skin. This is where your makeup is going to be moving.
“And when it comes to setting the under eye, you want to be very lightweight. You see people do baking and stuff, but for everyday in your thirties – nice and light is best.
“You’re never going to get away from creasing, but this minimises it and gives it a nice, soft finish.”
Carrying around the setting powder and a powder puff is also great to correct any shiny areas as the day goes on if you feel your makeup starting to shift. So it’s a new staple in my bag!
By making these seven simple changes, I could instantly see the difference to my face. It looked healthy and glowy, while still giving me the coverage I’m comfortable with.
