Makeup Masterclass
Julia Stronach provides a masterclass in makeup for mature skin…
Julia’s studio is at the Inverurie Business Hub. She offers occasion makeup, lessons and is in great demand for bridal makeup. To find out more about Julia’s studio and services, please visit juliastronach.co.uk, facebook.com/juliastronachmakeup or check out her Instagram @JulzStron.
Julia explained, ‘I did a special course in mature makeup in Beverley Hills when I realised that most of my clients weren’t seventeen! Our faces change over time, so what looked great in our twenties doesn’t flatter us in our thirties, forties or beyond. For me, women can look their best at any age, if they understand the colours, textures and – most of all – the application techniques that will work best for who they are now. After all, we wouldn’t wear the same clothes we wore as teenagers, so why should we stick to the makeup techniques we used back then?’
‘Start with the skin. Medical grade skincare products and dermaplaning can work wonders. Always moisturise before applying foundation in thin layers. You can always build it up. Use a damp beauty sponge to push it into the skin and always take it down the neck. If your hair is going up, then sweep it behind the ears too. Bounce the sponge over the skin to reduce the excess. Lightly apply setting powder where you want to minimise pores and mattify the sides of the nose.
‘For cheeks, start at the top of the ear and down though the hollow and under the cheekbones using bronzer and a soft brush, blush along the same lines, but slightly higher and blur with the brush.
‘Don’t overthink the eyes. We’re using a medium brown on an eyeshadow brush and raising the skin on the eyelids. Stipple press it in, then use a darker brown at the outer half. With hooded eyes, take it just above the brow bone so it shows when the eyes are open. We’re using a pinkish bone shade on the inner lid.
‘Fuller brows and lashes usually give a healthy, youthful look. Use a fine angle liner brush to apply a thin layer of darker toned eyeshadow along the lash line. False lashes don’t have to be huge, and can look really subtle, especially when the band is cut to the correct size for the eye. Bend into shape and leave the glue to get tacky for a minute before applying from about quarter of the way out from the inner corner. Tilt the head back and place them as close to the lash roots as possible. When dry, apply mascara to join your real and false lashes. Apply a brow fibre or pencil in feather strokes to thicken brows.
‘Smile when using your lip liner and take the Cupid’s bow just slightly higher, as this makes you look younger. Fill in with your lipstick.
‘Taking a picture of your finished look can show up anything that needs correcting.
‘There are so many brands out there and fewer places where you can try before you buy, so a personal lesson can be a useful investment to learn the exact products suited to your skin type, features and desired outcome.’
Thanks to our beautiful model Susan McDougall. Susan is retired but previously worked at Shell. She loves travelling and catching up with friends. Products used: Skin -Furain moisturiser, Nars Light reflective foundation, Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush, Flawless Powder. Cheeks – Gucci Soleil bronzer. Eyes – Eyelash glue Duo, Mascara Lancôme Grandiosi. Brow – Fibre Huda Beauty. Lips – Lipstick Natalie Grace (Handmade in Scotland). Lashes, Brushes and sponges Jewelcosmetics.co.uk