My Essential Beauty Tools: Make-Up Artist Valeria Ferreira
FOR FOUNDATION…
“I alternate between foundation brushes, Beautyblender sponges and my fingertips. It all depends on the coverage and finish I want to achieve. For lighter coverage, I use a combination of stippling brushes, like Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Brush – these keep all the water in the foundation and deliver it straight to your skin, which is well worth remembering next time you pick up new tools. Fingers are great for blotting any excess shine where needed, but still maintaining good glow. If I am creating a red carpet look and want more coverage, I’ll ‘bake’. I use a round-tip condensed foundation brush – like Zoeva’s Foundation Brush – and then go over everything with a damp sponge to apply loose powder to help everything set. Beautyblender sponges still reign supreme for me. They have pores that absorb product and when they are damp, they mix incredibly well with thicker foundations, helping the skin to receive the product better and help it settle in smoothly. Just remember to keep them clean.”
FOR SKIN PREP…
“Jillian Dempsey’s Gold Sculpting Bar is more than just hype. The vibration stimulates the muscular tissue and helps with microcirculation. It’s also very relaxing and cooling on the skin. Before I use it, I’ll apply Rodial’s Vitamin C Sheet Mask, which is key if you want to brighten the skin and hydrate it quickly. Once it’s on, I’ll then use the roller on top, gently massaging the skin and getting into all the curves of the face. This ritual is the key to fresher-looking skin. Great make-up only comes from good skin prep. If I’m not using the roller, a gua sha works just as well – lots of people question their efficacy, but if you’re consistent, you’ll see a difference.”
FOR EYES & BROWS…
“Eye brushes are so important. My collection is extensive, but there are some that stand out from the crowd. They include the Laura Mercier brush I mentioned above, and the Zoeva Angled Eyeliner Brush which is a must for defining the eyes and creating smooth feline flicks. As for brows, the Anastasia Beverly Hills tools will always be my go-to. She has mastered the art of a perfect brow and the products are testament to that – no other tools have come close. My tip for brow tools is to always observe the direction in which your natural hair grows and follow it as a guideline. This will help you to achieve a full brow, but an arch that’s natural and effortless. I also keep brow scissors and brow blades in my kit, but I only ever use them if my clients ask for advice on the shape – otherwise, it’s best left to a professional.”
FOR LIPS…
“A lip brush is essential, especially if you want to be precise. I love a double-ended brush, like the one from BareMinerals and also Burberry’s Angled Lip Brush. You can also use a small smudge eye brush to achieve a lip finish that isn’t too strict or defined – they give more of a soft-focus finish that’s romantic and fresh-looking. Laura Mercier’s Small Eye Smudge Brush is great.”
FOR BLUSH & BRONZER…
“To buff in blusher and bronzer, I always use my Trish McEvoy 2B Blusher Brush. It’s so fluffy and deposits the perfect amount of product every single time. I love a good make-up puff, too – Dior do some great ones, as do other high-street retailers. I often keep one hooked on my finger so that when I am leaning on a client’s skin, I don’t leave marks behind. Puffs are ideal for baking, too, and setting powder into the skin for longevity.”
FOR DAY-TO-DAY RITUALS…
“The Shiseido Lash Curler is the best on the market and I’m never without it. If you want to invest in a pair, those are the ones to buy. Other essentials I love include the Chok Beauty Cleansing Discs. I love how clean my skins feels after I use them – they’re the best reusable cloths if you’re looking to make a sustainable switch. When it comes to other extras, I swear by a pair of exfoliating gloves and always keep a pair in my shower. They work so well to exfoliate your body at speed, but also to stimulate circulation and produce smoother-looking skin. Finally, I recommend Muji Pots if you want to get organised and sort your tools out properly. They keep everything neat and clean – as does a good antibacterial spray like the ones from Cinema Secrets.”
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