MUA Thembi ♥ Back to Basics.

Meet Thembi, a talented makeup artist beginning her journey in the industry and with it, making a reputable name for herself. She works both on a freelance basis at events and fashion shows as well as part time for MAC cosmetics.

Each month, Thembi will be sharing her MUA tips, tricks and trends with you, aswell as taking you backstage at any events/shows she will be working at, to give you an insight into the world of a make-up artist in action ♥

I’ve always had a keen interest in makeup, so after completing a degree in Events Management and travelling the globe for 2 years with my best friends, I decided to turn my love for cosmetics into a career. I came back from my travels in July 2011 and by the September I was enrolled on the fashion makeup course at The Cassie Lomas Makeup Academy (CLMA), and I haven’t looked back since!

Since completing the course a year ago, I have began a great career with MAC Cosmetics, built up a range of personal clients, and worked on a range of events including; the L’Oreal Colour Trophy 2012, Professional Hairdresser Live 2012 assisting Kenneth Soh and assisting Cassie Lomas for 2 seasons at London Fashion Week. 

♥

Now that Christmas and New Year are out of the way and we’ve all put our glitter and sparkle away for another year, I thought it would be nice to go back to basics and talk you through the fresh faced beauty look we all know and love!

Let me take you behind the scenes of the most recent event I did as part of the CLMA events team, we covered the hair and make-up for ‘Flannels Creates Charity Auction Fashion Show’ in Manchester.  

The Brief: 3 hours to get 40 models runway-ready, with fresh, simple and beautiful make-up to highlight their natural beauty.

Skin was a big focus so I made sure that the models’ skin was well moisturised using Radiance Restore Nourishing Cream, £13.49, by UNE. I spent a few minutes massaging the product into the models skin to make sure it was nice and supple.  

For the base, I used a mix of Face and Body Foundation, £26.50, by MAC for the perfect skin like finish it gives, Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, £7.99, by Bourjois when needed to add a little extra coverage and, Lustre Drops in Sun Rush, £17.50, by MAC to give the ‘skin that glows from within’ look that we all want!

Brush wise, I like to use soft, fluffy brushes to really buff the product into the skin. My favourites at the moment are the #109 Small Contour Brush, £26.00, and the #187 Duo Fibre Brush, £32.50, both by MAC. 

Under the models' eyes I used the Touche Healthy Mix Illuminating Concealer, £8.49, by Bourjois which reflects light and really brightens and lifts the eyes.

Next up were the brows which are an important focus for me. They shape the face and have the ability to pull a look together. As we were keeping this look natural, we only wanted to use enough product to define the natural shape. I did this by lightly stroking an Eyebrows Pencil, £12.50,by MAC through the arch and tip of the brow and softening with a #204 Lash Brush, £8.00, by MAC.

 For the eyes, we used satin and matte textures in natural taupe colours, with a hint of brown eyeliner to define the shape of the eye. I used Paint Pot in 'Groundwork', £14.50, by MAC all over the eye using my fingers, and then using a #217 Blending Brush, £17.00, by MAC , softly blended a cool brown shade of matte eye shadow through the eye socket. Depending on the models skin tone I used either ‘Charcoal Brown’ or ‘Wedge’ eyeshadow, £12.00, by MAC, or a mix of the two and Eye Pencil in 'Coffee', £13.50, by MAC blended into the root of the lashes using a #228 Mini Shader Brush, £16.00, by MAC. 

A nice even coating of Volume Glamour Max Mascara, £9.49, by Bourjois and the eyes were complete!

To finish the look, we gave the models flushed cheeks and rosy glossy lips. To achieve this, I used Water Colour Blushers, £14.50, by Daniel Sandler. Depending on skin tone again, I opted for the ‘Dare’ and ‘Cherub’ shades. I dabbed this onto the cheeks and lips using my fingers to create the naturally flushed and rosy look - like a stain. 

For an added touch of colour, some of the models were given a red lip; 'Russian Red' lipstick, £14.00 by MAC and Sweet Kisses Lipstick in ‘76 Rouge Fashion', £7.99, by Bourjois are a great choice for a classic red with a bit of depth. 

 Flannels Creates Charity Auction Fashion Show ♥

 Thembi's tip of the month:

A great base is essential for any good makeup look, so start with your skin. 

Head down to your local skincare counter for a consultation on the best products for your skin type.  

Until next month...

Follow on twitter

Follow on facebook