12 Beauty Lessons With Make-Up Artist Camilla Hewitt

12 Beauty Lessons With Make-Up Artist Camilla Hewitt

You only have to look at Camilla Hewitt’s Instagram account to understand why she’s one of our favourite make-up artists. Her signature look is warm and full of flattering, natural nude tones, which explains why she’s often called on to make up some of the biggest A-Listers in town. Her trusted product advice and no-nonsense approach have also won her legions of fans online – in short, what she doesn’t know about beauty isn’t worth knowing. Here, we asked her to share some of the main lessons and memories from her career, plus, the products she’s never without…
Photography: @CAMILLAHEWITT

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The Products She Buys On Repeat…

“Where do I begin? The M·A·C Paint Pots in Groundwork and Quite Neutral – depending on the skin tone I’m working on – are always in my kit. They are the perfect neutral shades for enhancing the eye area. You’ll never find me without my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, either. It’s my go-to for great coverage and if I ever need to carry a minimal kit, I pack it without worrying which other bases I have on me, as this is so easy to blend and build on – plus, there’s a shade to suit everyone. Another product I buy on repeat is Tom Ford’s Shade & Illuminate palette. It’s the simplest way to sculpt the face and achieve a healthy glow. I use a chunky buffing brush from Bobbi Brown to make sure the product is blended well. Finally, I swear by the Pillow Talk shades from Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat line. The easiest way to define lips, I often scribble them on with a dab of lip balm and never worry about adding a lipstick on top.”

Her Earliest Beauty Memory…

“I have always been a bit of a glow-getter, and bronzed skin has long been my goal, both on myself and on my clients – blame J-Lo. I am pretty sure I used to use Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse as a bronzer before they brought out the bronzing version. I was obsessed. Another beauty memory is of my mum using the pink Oil of Olay Moisturiser. I love the smell and I think for that reason alone, I was immediately interested in skincare.” 

The Skincare She Swears By…

“If there’s one product that’s truly saved my skin, it’s the 001 Alpha-Glow Flash Facial. I really can’t recommend it enough. My complexion always feels clear, pore-free and totally hydrated after each application. The CRYOpress Ice Roller that accompanies it is also amazing if you wake up with a puffy face, or you need a refresh before a night out. Aside from that, like many make-up artists, I really rate Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Night Cream. It’s a true saviour for parched, or sunburnt skin – just put it on before bed and you’ll see what all the fuss is about in the morning. Finally, Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Face & Eye Cream. Both work so well underneath make-up and I’ll often use the eye cream to refresh my concealer throughout the day.” 

The Brands Everyone Should Know…

La Bouche Rouge is my latest discovery for incredible lip colours. The sustainable brand sells refillable bullets and its clever collaborations with industry icons has helped it create a beautiful Instagram account full of great inspiration.” 

Shopping For Beauty…

“Everyone knows it, but I love to shop at Cult Beauty. They always discover new brands before anyone else and they were the first in the UK to stock Beauty Stat. That brand has created the most stable vitamin C serum on the market with seriously impressive results. I also love Cult Beauty’s Refillable Beauty and Cult Conscious edits as they make it so easy for everyone to be a bit more eco-friendly.” 

Best Haircare Essentials…

“My signature hairstyle is wavy, and I love using a flat iron to create it, like Cloud Nine’s Original Iron. It has a variable temperature control, and they are the only brand (that I know of) which recycle old wands, straighteners or hairdryers for free. The Davines Dry Texturiser Spray is a must for me, too. It smells amazing and provides just the right amount of hold for a tousled finish that’s never crunchy. Lastly, Bumble & Bumble’s Brilliante cream is my favourite. It’s the very first product they launched, and I’ve never found anything else like it – you’ll find it creates the perfect lived-in look. I hope it’s never discontinued.” 

Her Go-To Look…

“Natural, healthy-looking skin. I’ll always aim to enhance features instead of mask them. I adore tonal make-up and started my career as a colour technician in a salon, so I tend to stick to colour palettes that really compliment your hair and skin tone, too.” 

Beauty Advice Everyone Should Take On Board…

“Preparation is key. When I work with a new face, I always do a complete skincare routine first to see what make-up is needed, and you should do the same. By going through the process of balancing out (dry or oily) skin, exfoliating and hydrating the lips, then prepping the eye area, you can make sure make-up sits well on the skin and stays put for the duration. It’s simple advice, but it’s something I wish I’d been told when I was younger. If you look after your skin, everything will be much easier. It took me years to get the right combination of products, diet and wellbeing rituals to finally achieve clearer-looking skin that needs barely any make-up – but it was worth every step.” 

What’s In Her Beauty Bag…

“I’ve always been a bit of a hippy, so my personal make-up bag is always a totally impractical printed cloth bag that I’ve found in a market somewhere. For set bags, however, the best ones are from Guru Emporium. Their own brand set bags have the perfect compartments for brush canisters. As for what I keep in both, there are five core products. Firstly, REN’s Global Protection Day Cream is always in there. I love everything the brand stands for and this fail-safe moisturiser is perfect for stressed, or overly sensitive skin. I’m never without a tinted moisturiser to even out skin tone and I love both NARS’ Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30 and the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Natural Tinted Moisturiser with SPF. When it comes to mascara, I rarely wear it as am not a huge fan, so I always keep Shiseido’s cult Eyelash Curlers with me just to lengthen and enhance quickly. Finally, my kit is never without a Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick. Transparent, it’s a silky balm that melts into the skin for a high-shine glow. I use it on my eyelids, cheekbones and all over for a dewy look that’s not super shiny.” 

The Beauty Rules She’ll Always Follow…

“For me, make-up is about making you feel good, so there are no set rules. We should use beauty products as a tool to boost our confidence, so it’s important for mental health and your self-esteem to find a routine that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin. I also think, while important to ask for advice from others, it’s key you find a routine that works for you as an individual. Every face shape, skin type and complexion is so unique – what works for one person might not work for another. Get to know your face and if you find a product that works, don’t change it just because new things hit the market.” 

A Product Everyone Should Own…

“I invested in the Light Salon Boost LED Mask and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever bought. I use it three to four times a week before I go to bed. Initially, I got it to even out my skin and help combat environmental damage, but I have found it also has the added benefit of helping me sleep better. Just ten minutes encourages total relaxation. I often struggle to switch off and it’s remarkable the difference this mask has made.” 

And Finally, Her Desert Island Buys…

“There are a few. Firstly, Irene Forte’s SPF50 Sun Cream because I’m hoping this island is sunny, and frankly, it’s the best SPF out there. Secondly Nails Inc Polish in Montpelier Walk. My toenails are ruined from running, but this formula boosts the production of keratin for stronger, healthier-looking nails. Next up would be a nourishing conditioner and a hairbrush. I have beachy, blonde hair that needs a bit of TLC. I’d probably pack OUAI’s Leave-In Conditioner, which detangles and strengthens. Finally, I’d pack a collagen supplement – I swear by them for keeping my skin firm and maintaining healthy joints.”

 

Follow @CamillaHewitt & WellCurated.co.uk 

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