Beauty Lessons With Celia Burton

Beauty Lessons With Celia Burton

Celia Burton is one of the coolest make-up artists in the industry today. With a vast clientele, she regularly paints the faces of top A-listers – think Adwoa Aboah, Jodie Comer and Vanessa Kirby – while her signature looks have graced the most important magazine covers and fashion runways. Known for her playful approach with colour, and for her trusted advice, she gave us her key beauty lessons and revealed the products she’s never without…
Photography: @CELIABURTONMAKEUP

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@CELIABURTONMAKEUP

PRODUCTS SHE BUYS ON REPEAT…

Dr Hauschka’s Translucent Bronzing Tint is the OG for me. It has a light and bouncy texture that makes you look like you’ve sat in the sun for the right amount of time. Then there’s Glossier’s FutureDew. It’s difficult to explain this formula but essentially it’s a serum/primer and highlighter in one. One pump patted onto the skin before, after or at the same time as your make-up wakes the skin up and gives amazing glow. Chanel’s Baume Essentiel is key for my make-up bag too – I genuinely couldn’t live without it. It’s a highlighter that melts into the skin; I use it on eyelids, cheekbones lip and collarbones. Another staple for me is Kevyn Aucoin’s Lash Curlers. I believe curling your eyelashes is the most essential part of putting your face together, so whoever invented this tool should be recognised as one of the most important inventors ever. Kevyn Aucoin’s are brilliant as they have good grip and get right to root without tugging too much. Finally, I loved BECCA’s Beach Tints – they were the first examples of sheer and balm-y blushes that I encountered. As a brand, it was so good at creating intelligent formulas and finishes. 

HER EARLIEST BEAUTY MEMORY…

My auntie Pearl was a make-up artist, so the memories – in terms of beauty – go very far back. I was always intensely interested in what she did and the products she used. My most vivid memory is one where I opened a ‘spa’ in my bedroom – it was called ‘Burton’s Beauty Room’ – and I forced everyone who came to visit into my chair for a makeover. I was probably six or seven max. I’m not sure what the reviews were...There are a few products I remember experimenting with early on, too – from The Body Shop’s Strawberry Lip Balm to Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes and Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse. 

THE SKINCARE SHE SWEARS BY…

I always keep my eye on The Nue Co. It doesn’t often release new products, but when it does, you know you should be trying them out. At the end of last year, I was struggling with my skin and nothing was working. I panicked and added more and more steps to my routine – including acids. The Pill – a new serum from The Nue Co – had been sitting on my shelf, and after watching an in-depth video with the founder, Jules Miller, I decided to use this on its own. I kid you not, a week after use, my complexion had calmed right down, almost to normal. It gives your skin a daily dose of every key nutrient in one go – including AHAs, hyaluronic acid, tiger grass and caffeine. I am blown away by how good it is. Secondly, Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream is a favourite for me. I’m not one for jumping on hyped skincare, but this is epic in terms of results. Finally, Esse’s Ultra Moisturiser was recommended to me by my facialist Pfeffer Sal. It’s a beautiful South African brand that’s organic, cruelty-free and vegan – it’s pure hydration in a small pot for seriously soft skin.

FOR BRILLIANT TREATMENTS…

Pfeffer Sal is my favourite place in the world for a facial. Just talking about the salon makes my heart ache – I truly can’t wait to go back. Its Essential Serum has helped me maintain my post-facial glow in between appointments – I keep it in my kit always. It’s brilliant as it perfects the skin for make-up and has a beautiful texture that instantly plumps. 

BEST HAIRCARE ESSENTIALS…

In 2017, I got stuck in Paris for a few days thanks to endless Eurostar cancellations. I hadn’t planned to stay so had nothing with me and ended up buying necessities at the pharmacy. I have curly hair and have never managed to find anything that maintains it while taming the frizz. Then I came across Klorane’s Mango Butter. I combed a blob of it through my hair as a desperate curl cream alternative after my shower, then let it air dry. Ever since, I’ve ditched everything else and use this to boost texture and my curls definition. Secondly, I swear by the Ouai Wave Spray. It’s my go-to pick-me-up for when I haven’t washed my hair in a few days. It takes the fluff out of my waves without being tacky. Finally, the Dyson Air Wrap is a game-changer for me. It’s an investment but so worth it as the time I spend doing my hair has now been cut in half – I use it to create curls and chic blow-outs. It’s always so easy to use.

SHOPPING FOR BEAUTY...

I love old-school pro make-up stores, like TILT in Camden and P.A.M in Acton. For skincare, I love the Onda Beauty store on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill. These are the places I go for both inspiration and product stock-ups. 

UNUSUAL BRANDS SHE THINKS YOU SHOULD KNOW…

There are so many, but a few worth having on your radar are Rae Morris, Sensai, Gucci Westman and Surratt Beauty – all offer brilliant make-up and great formulas. Then for skincare, I recommend both Noble Panacea and Odacité

THE ADVICE EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW…

I really think everyone should take stock and sometimes give themselves a break. Stop studying everyone’s look on Instagram and take a moment to reconnect with yourself and your face – embrace what you have, you’re gorgeous. I also don’t believe in ‘mistakes’ when it comes to make-up. Whatever the look, however heavy or bare, it should be about how it makes you feel, rather than what people think of it. Make-up is about being creative and having fun.

WHAT’S ALWAYS IN HER BEAUTY BAG…

I carry everything around in my fun Glossier beauty bag and inside you’ll always find the following: Glossier’s Boy Brow in clear, my Sensai Bronzing Gel, Glossier’s Rose Balm Dot Com and a good lash curler – either from Muji or Kevyn Aucoin, but the former is more portable when you’re on the go. 

THE BEAUTY RULES SHE SWEARS BY…

Always start with SPF, follow up with a good vitamin C, drink plenty of water and curl your eyelashes. Oh, and embrace shiny. Avoid matte. 

 
Follow @CeliaBurtonMakeUp

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