First of all, how are you and how are you coping in lockdown?
I’m really well and I would say I have adapted to life as a pro makeup artist working from home now, I’m so lucky that I get to work virtually with our clients online via Live Chats which is great fun. I also love being able to share more content for my followers on Instagram too, it’s a great tool to educate and connect with everyone.
Personally, I’ve been able to drink as many coffee’s as I want all thanks to my mum and dad’s lovely Nespresso machine (ha!) and I enjoy baking a weekly banana bread for the family too! I guess I’ve just been trying to stick to a daily routine which includes more time on skincare vs makeup these days.
How long have you been a Bobbi Brown Pro and how did you get into it?
I have been a Bobbi Brown Pro Artist for 3 years and I’ve worked for the brand for 8 years in total. I joined when I was 19 years old, it was my mum who got me the job! My mum has always inspired me to look after myself and started buying me Bobbi Brown products when I was still at High School. My first ever Bobbi Brown products were a Shimmer Brick and Lip Gloss – two of which I still love and use now. I studied makeup at college for 3 years and my first job in the industry was for YSL.
One day my mum took me to our local Bobbi Brown counter in Glasgow, where of course she was a VIP having been so loyal to the brand, to look into and buy some new makeup bits for my kit. During our consultations, she started talking about my passion for makeup and I left the counter feeling so inspired and with a job interview the following week, the rest is history!
Have you always been a makeup lover?
Yes, always! My dad tells me that he knew from a very young age that I would be involved in makeup. I had to have it all…and I still do. I used to borrow mums red lipstick and wear it all the time before I knew what to do with it, I’m pretty sure I coloured in my bedroom wall using it too! I used to love watching my mum do her makeup and make herself look beautiful, I guess it stemmed from there. She truly is my idol. Now I have a full and varied CV that I am super proud of, all thanks to loving makeup – ranging from travelling across the globe to Paris & New York for fashion weeks, assisting and leading shoots, working with press and influencers at various events to presenting Live on QVC.
I really do enjoy nothing more though than meeting real women/men and teaching them how to be and feel the best versions of themselves with great skincare and beautiful makeup products. I’m so grateful for all the amazing opportunities that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has and continues to throw my way.
Do you have any favourite looks you’ve created on yourself or someone else?
I would say that my signature makeup look on myself would have to be a Soft Bronze Smokey Eye paired with a Nude Glossy Lip. But I’m also always a fan of anything 90’s inspired. For others, I love nothing more than to create glowing, seamless looking skin. When most want to cover up their complexions with lots of foundation, I find it so fun stripping it back and teaching clients how to make their skin look and feel amazing with small layers of skincare and makeup versus just focusing on how to make their foundation look good. Glowing skin is always in, right?
Who are some of your favourite MUAs to follow?
I follow so many amazing and inspiring makeup artists, who I look to for inspiration and guidance. Patrick Ta is a firm favourite on Instagram, I love his beautiful work on his celebrity clients. I also love Katie Jane Hughes, her editorial work is unreal, and I’m obsessed with her close-ups and eye shots on herself. I have been watching lots of Lisa Eldridge tutorials on YouTube too for inspiration.
How has your makeup changed since being in lockdown?
I wake up in the morning’s and I take more time layering on my skincare. Starting each day with glowing skin makes me feel good. I then reach for my at-home makeup bag which has concealer, mascara, a brow pencil and lip gloss in! I spend 5 minutes doing makeup now instead of half an hour, it’s great!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I am so grateful to have many highlights as a Pro Artist, but I would say my biggest achievement so far has got to be New York Fashion Week in February this year with the Bobbi Brown pro team! It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life with super early call times, nonstop makeup tests, organising makeup kits for each lead makeup artist to then getting the models in their makeup looks for the runway. It’s true what they say it’s a city that never sleeps! I loved every second. I still can’t believe my biggest dream since joining the brand in 2012 came true.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working a lot more virtually now, with online daily Live Chats engaging still with our lovely clients. It’s great because we are starting to do video calls now to better help us recommend skincare and makeup products. As a Pro Team, we are collaborating with a lot more influencers and brands via Instagram which is cool!
I’m also creating more content for my channels as working with journalists to provide an expert voice across their media channels. At a time when people aren’t able to access the 1 on 1 interaction they usually can, I’m so thrilled that we are able to get our voices out there thanks to social media and online beauty, lifestyle hubs.
What are some of your top makeup tips?
Top Tips:
For that perfect NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP look, it’s all about applying and blending out small layers of concealer onto a well-hydrated base versus applying thick foundation all over.
Don’t slack when it comes to mascara, I always curl my lashes before and sometimes after applying 2-3 layers of my favourite Smokey Eye Mascara to make the most of my lashes.
Multi-use products more to save time and money, for example, I often apply bronzer to eyelids for a subtle hint of colour and I love Pot Rouge for cheeks and lips.
What do you always carry with you?
Tissues and concealer! I have super watery eyes so always need to dab my under eye area and I need my concealer to top up any removed makeup.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
It’s got to involve the beauty of nature, I love nothing more than to get my outdoors attire on, jump in the car and drive to Scotland’s beautiful highlands with my partner and cocker spaniel. Away from everyday life and not reaching for my mobile helps me to release any stress and improves my self-awareness.
If you could only eat one meal again what would it be?
Oh, wow this is hard but I would have to say pizza. Margheritas are my favourite with a side of fries and mayo. Simple but absolutely delicious. There is nothing better than a perfectly cooked pizza!
If you could give one positive message to our followers what would it be?
Keeping it short and sweet…
Slow down, appreciate and focus on what matters!
