Beauty Lessons With Make-Up Artist Cher Webb

Products She Buys On Repeat…

Laura Mercier is one of my favourite brands, but it’s not their make-up I stockpile, it’s their Body Butters. I discovered them years ago – they have an incredible scent and feel so luxurious on your skin – always massage them into wet skin straight after your shower, as they absorb much better this way. I’m often asked what fragrance I’m wearing when I’ve applied either Ambre Vanille or Almond Coconut – they’re beautiful scents. 

As for make-up, I always have BareMinerals’ Complexion Rescue Tint to hand. It’s a multi-tasking moisturiser that adds a sheer glow and radiant coverage, with some great skincare benefits, too. I love to warm up the texture with my fingertips and apply it directly onto my skin – it’s so easy to work with and the luminosity is off the scale. For lipstick, the Tom Ford Pink Dusk is a beautiful nude that works well against my complexion and looks great for both day and night. Likewise, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lip Cheat Liner enhances the shape of my mouth so well – sometimes I’ll apply it all over the lips and either add a balm on top or a gloss to bring out the colour. 

Another must-have is MAC’s Groundwork Paint Pot – it’s my most-used eye base. A muted neutral with zero glitter, it looks great on its own, or underneath another eyeshadow – I’m sure every make-up artist on the planet has one of these in their kits. Finally, Westman Atelier’s Blush in shade Petal works beautifully for those ‘no make-up days’ as it adds a healthy flush to the cheeks in a flash.

Her Earliest Beauty Memory…

I remember sitting on the side of the bath and watching both my mum and auntie get ready for a night out. Looking through their make-up bags gave me such a thrill, I loved swatching the colours on my hand and asking them if I could have any of the make-up they no longer used. When I got older, I had a little dressing table with a mirror, and I used to collect old perfume bottles that were handed down to me – it was quite the collection for a nine-year-old! As the years went on, I began applying my own make-up and doing it for my friends, too –it allowed me to experiment and play with colour and glitter without any limitations. It’s probably where the obsession began. 

The Skincare She Swears By…

This is an easy one as I use the same products all the time. For starters, Bioderma’s Micellar Water is always in my kit, as are the Decelor Paris Aromessence Oils and Serums – I also love the brand’s Sun-Kissed Cream for a soft, believable glow. The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm is the only one that’s ever worked for me, and if I am doing a thorough cleanse, it’s always with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. Occasionally, I’ll use Dr Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel for some quick exfoliation, and if I need a dose of moisture, it’s always Vichy’s Mineral 89 Serum. 

Best Haircare Essentials…

Being blonde, I’m very particular about the tone of my hair and I manage any brassiness or copper hues by regularly using purple shampoos. The Kerastase Blond Absolu collection keeps my hair icy white and offers great nourishment, strength and shine. In between my purple washes, I’ll use L’Oréal’s Pro Serie Expert Vitamino Colour Shampoo, Conditioners and Hair Masks. I’ll often use the leave-in conditioners after washing and before blow-drying for protecting, repairing and smoothing my hair. 

In terms of styling, my hair is poker straight, so I try to make my routine as effortless as possible, either letting it dry naturally, or just blasting it quickly with my GHD Helios dryer. Saying that, I sometimes like a bit of texture, and when I do, I’ll use the Babyliss Pro Ceramic 38mm Tong which is so easy to use. To finish off, I’ll scrunch in Bumble & Bumble’s Brilliantine Crème through the ends – it’s great for a lived-in, piece-y texture.

Shopping For Beauty…

The Liberty Beauty Hall is fantastic – the selection of brands they stock always draws me in. It feels very different to some of the larger London stores and it has a warm, comforting feel to it. No matter what day you pop in, it’s never too over-crowded. For online shopping, it’s always Cult Beauty. The site is a breeze to navigate and I love the selection they have. They also have lots of indie brands and exclusives, too, which are always worth having on your radar. 

The Brands Everyone Should Know…

Biossance is a brand brimming with sustainable, cruelty-free products. Each one feels like a burst of goodness for the skin and the Squalene & Vitamin C Rose Oil and Marine Algae Eye are my go-tos. Another brand I love is Oskia. I’ve used their products for years and their Renaissance Body Scrub is a firm favourite, as are their Super-C Smart Nutrient Beauty Capsules which blend smart nutrients and actives to boost, hydrate and nourish. Another one is carbon-neutral brand HIGHR Collective. They have a lovely collection of sustainable, clean lipsticks which have an in-built mirror for make-up application on-the-go. There are eight shades to choose from, and all have a beautiful, hydrating texture. Try ‘Chiltern’ if you want a universally-flattering red. 

The Advice Everyone Should Take On Board…

Always, always use a high factor SPF on your face – no matter what the weather is doing. Harmful UV rays are always there and it’s no secret they’re the biggest cause of premature ageing, so take a preventative approach at all times. While some moisturisers and foundations have in-built SPF, it’s rarely enough to protect against constant exposure, so invest in a trusted SPF – there are so many available now that sit well under make-up. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios range is extensive and their clever aerosol spray is so lightweight, sitting imperceptibly on the skin without ever interfering with your products. 

The Rules She’ll Always Follow…

I’ll always invest in good skincare – if your skin looks good, everything else will fall into place. Another rule to live by is to be comfortable in your own skin and try a less is more approach – by this I mean build up your make-up gradually, don’t cover everything in one go. Curling lashes is a game-changer for me, too – it makes the world of difference. Finally, keep your brushes clean. Give them a weekly wash and they will last you far longer – plus, it’ll make sure your make-up application is more seamless and even. 

What’s In Her Beauty Bag…

My go-to make-up bag is the Space NK Travel one. It’s the ideal size for all my beauty bits and piece, and it’s clear and wipeable, so it’s great from a hygiene point of view. The shape fits perfectly inside my bag and they’re so practical, as you can see everything inside, so you’re more likely to use things. 

I’m never without a set powder to tame shine throughout the day, a bronzer, brow pencil and gel. Likewise, a good cream blush that can be used on the lips and eyes – Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge is ideal for this, especially in Powder Pink. I always keep a bright red lipstick handy, too, as well as a brown eye kohl – both help take a daytime look through to the evening. You’ll find a selection of miniature fragrances inside my make-up bag, too, as well as hair bands, tweezers and a pencil sharpener. Finally, I’ve worn OPI’s Big Apple Red Nail colour for over ten years. It’s become my signature shade and I feel completely undressed without it, so I always have one or two bottles on the go. 

And Finally, Her Desert Island Buys…

It’s a tough one, but it would have to be: Sarah Chapman Skin Insurance Tinted SPF50, OPI’s Big Apple Red Polish, Escentric Molecule 01, La-Roche Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm and Kerastase’s Genesis Hair Masque.