Its not only the Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons by Dan Brown that hides secrets in art. There too lies the secret of flawless makeup – step by step makeup built from a good foundation that gives a flawless finish.
So what’s the secret to flawless makeup? Lancome’s recent “Secret to Flawless Beauty Workshop” introduced to me the Power of 4 (sounds rather like a superhero series eh? 🙂 )
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Powder
- Blush
With just these 4 products on your face you can go out looking flawless and natural – the keywords for today. Zamri Zainol, Lancome’s top makeup artist shows us how.
Foundation – match it to your skintone
Do not use foundation as a corrector. If you have yellow or pink tones, do not try to “correct” your tones using foundation. There are products that can help correct or reflect a different tone but foundation is not it. If you over correct or under correct, the results may not be what you expect and can make you look weird – think grey or orange.
You should also know what you want your foundation to do. For me, I like a sheer light natural coverage for everyday so I don’t look masky. I don’t need something heavy and all I’m looking for is evening out of skin tone. So, the Lancome Maquiliquide UV Infinite is going to be something I’ll be checking out. I’m told I can up the coverage by using the Maquicake UV Perfect 2 way foundation powder on top of it. Believe me, the coverage does increase and you will look pretty flawless but its strictly for night/evening looks. So, I’d keep that trick for night looks. This way, I can keep to a light liquid foundation for all times.
Concealer – only where its needed
The job of concealer is to conceal scars or marks so use it only where its needed and blend blend blend! I use concealer for my under eye area to lighten dark circles, and a heavier concealer to cover up pigmentation. Never underestimate the magic of concealer – you’d be surprised at how flawless your skin can look without the need of photoshop!
I’ve discovered a new love for undereye concealer in Lancome’s Effacernes Softening Longlasting Concealer. I picked it up at the recent warehouse sale for RM60 (usual RM115) and its so good, I’ve elevated it to a must have status!
Powder – Dust it lightly to set foundation
Loose powder is a must for me. I dust it over all foundation to set it and I can feel the difference when I do and when I don’t. It helps my foundation last longer too. Its not all about the luxury of having the fluffy brush brush over your skin – it does serve a purpose.
Blush – Smile and blush!
The recent warehouse sale is also where I picked up Lancome Blush Subtil blushes. (Did I mention how much I love sales? 😛 ) For someone who really likes her blushes, I’d never given much thought to Lancome’s Blush Subtil. Well, no longer! I’m now the proud owner of 2 Blush Subtil in Rose Nuage and Peche Intense teehee…:)
Blush for me, is a must have if I do a full face of foundation etc. This is because I find that after all that layering, you need some inner glow to come through and using a blush enhances this and prevents you from looking flat and washed out. I prefer a light sheer peachy or rosy barely there tint if going for the natural look. Its quite impressive how much just a touch of colour can do to brighten up your face.
This Power of 4 is what forms the secret to flawless makeup. Get your foundation and face right and everything else will fall into place. The secret therefore is layering – not too much or you’d look like you put it on with a trowel, but enough to give you that air-brushed photoshopped look in real life… or as close an approximation as we can get 😉
Paint your canvas as you would your face
Recently, while attending the Lancome Secret to Flawless Makeup workshop, the lines between art and makeup were blurred as participants were encouraged… nay compelled to use the makeup on offer as the paints with which to paint the blank canvases. What’s a girl to do when defacing all that gorgeous new makeup but grit ones teeth and bear with it, dying a little every time the pristine smooth surface of a blush or eyeshadow was scraped to create pigment that we could use for our masterpieces.
I’m no artist and when faced with a blank piece of canvas, my mind was exactly that – blank. Only slowly, with the urging of the make up artists (and caving into pressure) did I finally pick up an art brush and scoop up some cream foundation to start my piece of art. We were also asked to signed our works of art – which was fun.
I call my masterpiece – Autumn in Paris.
It was a reflection of a subliminal wish to revisit Paris the lovely City of Romance in Autumn (my fave season) by the river Seine (hence the blue bits 😛 ), my moniker (Paris B! 😀 ) and Lancome’s French Parisian origins.
Ok I’m no artist and that block on the right was supposed to represent the Arc de Triomphe… not an elephant 😛 I think the only thing I really got right were the birds LOL… These were the only things that came to mind at the time so I thought “Heck! We’re going to wing it!” 😛
Products used were: Liquid foundation including Maquiliquide UV Infinite foundation, Blush Subtil, L’Absolu Rouge lipstick, blue and green ombre absolu eyeshadow and Virtuose mascara. Believe me, I cried a little every time I had to pick up the colours and put them on the canvas instead of on my face.
I reckon I didn’t do too badly in the end … what do you think? 🙂
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
sofia says
May 18, 2009 at 9:54 amit’s a lovely sketch — though i can understand your heart-pain at using makeup to paint — i think you did full justice to the pretty, subtle colours!
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 10:28 amHi Sofia
Thank you! 😀 I just felt it was a waste of perfectly good makeup I’d have been happy to take home 😛 Teehee
sesame says
May 18, 2009 at 10:11 amYour painting is very nice! And oh Paris, finally get to see more of you! You have such gorgeous to-die-for complexion. It’s porcelain clear!
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 10:29 amHi Sesame
Thank you but I’m afraid its porcelain because of 2 things – having a mini makeover with the flawless makeup technique and a wonderful photographer with a very clever use of flash! I love him for making me look good LOL.. but thank you 🙂
shoppingmum says
May 18, 2009 at 12:08 pmIt looks like a nice piece of art to me. 🙂
BTW, you have great complexion, beneath the flawless makeup.
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 1:57 pmHey shoppingmum
Thanks! Perhaps art needs an artistic eye to appreciate teehee…
plue says
May 18, 2009 at 12:09 pmaiyo, paris, i’ve seen you and u certainly have good skin! at least to my eyes it is!
or izzit anything that you are wearing which makes you so flawless hm? 😛
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 1:58 pmHiya plue
Haha… its called a mask 😛 But thank you anyway 🙂
Connie says
May 18, 2009 at 12:27 pmwonderful post! I’ve never really been drawn to Lancome products in general but look at that blush! So pretty! and I’ve heard great things about the foundation and now the concealer? The last time I was at the sales I only picked up Shu -_-
you masterpiece is so cute! Very significant to you 🙂
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 1:59 pmHey Connie
I totally skipped Shu altogether this time! Spent all my time hemming and hawing over which blush to get LOL…
Nikki says
May 18, 2009 at 1:14 pmYou look so pretty PB!!!! I can’t help but stare at your gorgeous skin!!!
If I’m given a blank canvass, I’ll be starting it blank and probably draw 10 fingers to be able to draw! hahaha Only nail art brings out the creativity in me, but that’s just it! Ahh I guess I can draw a perfect PIG and Smiley face though! hahahha would that count?
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 1:59 pmHi Nikki
Thank you! 10 fingers would be significant to you since you do nail art so well! 😀
Vonvon says
May 18, 2009 at 1:15 pmU did go to the sale? Sigh! I should have gone to the sale instead of the boring RMK workshop on the same day at Pavilion. I could’ve just walked over to Parkroyal…. 🙁 Great haul from the sale.
Btw, your painting and choice of colours really reflect the Autumn. But yea, I’d rather bring home those makeup to use on my face than to put them on the canvas! Such a waste!
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:00 pmHi Vonvon
Yep I try not to miss the L’oreal Luxury Sale because I’m using quite a few things and I had quite a few people to buy stuff for too 🙂
Renee says
May 18, 2009 at 1:34 pmAh! i used to draw little pics with my old eyeliners! I loved drawing with makeup then, but I think my heart would break now, haha! And you used my precious Virtuose! I just shed a tear.
Sounds like such a fun event, and I think your artwork is beautiful Paris, just like you! I don’t think I’ve seen a full photo of you before 🙂
Renee
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:01 pmHiya Renee
Aww… Virtuose did make some pretty birds 🙂 Thank you Renee!
Natalie says
May 18, 2009 at 1:45 pmoh, power of 4? I always skip loose powder I’ll keep in mind.:P hehe. I am wondering does a tinted mosturizer could replace the foundation? I was told so by a Benefit’s SA when she was selling me yourebel lite. like you, I would opt for sheer light foundation as we have concealer for coverage. might check out lancome maquiliquide one day! btw, you have gorgeous skin, they should consider you as spokeperson! 🙂
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:03 pmHi Natalie
I find that loose powder helps keep all my makeup fixed. Depending on skin type and needs tinted moisturiser can replace foundation because its like a very sheer foundation yet moisturizing. However, I prefer to keep my products separate because to me, a 2-in-1 never performs as well as a product that’s meant for only 1 purpose. Its just my view though 🙂 I don’t have great skin but I’m happy it looks that way though I doubt I’d be able to rival the models that do form the Lancome spokes people 😀
Synaesthesia says
May 18, 2009 at 2:20 pmit always sound easy but not so easy to achieve.. hahaha… ur drawing is nice.. hope i can master the art of makeup.. LoLz
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:42 pmHi Synaesthesia
Remember… practice makes perfect! 😉
yahui says
May 18, 2009 at 2:26 pmyou look beautiful, Paris. flawless skin! 😀 but one thing for youngsters like me who have acne problem, we need to add another power – get your skin condition right so makeup can glide flawlessly. makeup coverage can only do so much. if the canvas is uneven, in the end, the artwork will be flawed.
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:43 pmHi yahui
I must second your tips – always ensure first that your canvas is smooth so when facing acne prone skin, remember – less is more!
Jamilla Camel says
May 18, 2009 at 2:35 pmThanks for the tips! Your cosmetic art is really cute too!
ParisB says
May 18, 2009 at 2:43 pmHiya Jamilla
You’re welcome and thank you!
mag says
May 18, 2009 at 5:15 pmThis is an awesome idea. You look very pro signing your masterpiece! 😉
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 10:15 amHey Mag
Haha… thank you 🙂
Cerise says
May 18, 2009 at 5:45 pmI think you did a really good painting there. You have nice porcelain skin too!
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 10:16 amHi Cerise
I’d say it isn’t but Thank you! 🙂
Jessica says
May 18, 2009 at 10:43 pmlooks like it was a fun and get down and dirty kinda workshop! love the artwork..u should think of ‘painting’ more 😉
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 10:17 amHiya Jessica
Haha… it was a fun workshop and I think this is the limit of my “talents” LOL
Sapphire says
May 19, 2009 at 1:20 amCoucou! I’m french and your Arc de Triomphe is almost perfect! 😉 I looove Lancome make up =)
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 10:21 amBonjour Sapphire
Thank you for coming by! 😀
melinda says
May 19, 2009 at 9:36 amnow i know why you hardly put your self pictures…its because you dont want people like me hate people like you who have flawless skin…~
I love you because you are minimalist….so little colors on your face…and yet u look so perfect.
(this is a compliment) ;p
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 10:22 amHey Melinda
Haha… I’ll take it as such 🙂 Thank you.
Celine Mook says
May 19, 2009 at 11:06 amParis, you have flawless skin! So for your night look, you use liquid foundation, then 2 way cake, then loose powder? It will look cakey isn’t it?
And btw, I’d love to know how’s ur skin care regime like Paris :p
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 2:00 pmHey Celine
Thank you. I don’t use them all but I’m told it works and I’ve seen it work on my skin. The trick is to use very sheer layers, not pile it on. E.g. sheer liquid foundation to even color, 2way where you need more coverage e.g. problem areas and very light dusting of loose powder. The effect is more flawless but yes, it can be a little thick so its strictly only for very dress up ocassions. As for skincare I’ve been changing around a bit but you can see my skincare regime (more or less) here.
Monstro says
May 19, 2009 at 12:20 pmHey you’re quite the painter! It’s really sweet!
ParisB says
May 19, 2009 at 2:01 pmHiya Monstro
Aww… thank you 🙂
facekraft says
May 20, 2009 at 12:44 pmi’ve always wanted to use my expired make-up on canvas but never got round to doing it
ParisB says
May 20, 2009 at 12:50 pmHi facekraft
No better time than the present!