Q. Why doesn’t concealer work for me? No matter which one I use it sinks into all the holes under my eyes and makes it look cakey and like I have really dry skin? Is it because I use a beauty blender?
“The trick with concealer if you have dry or ageing skin, is to find something really light. People’s first instinct with concealer is to cover everything, but sometimes you need to just go for a lighter formula and while it might not cover as much, it will blend more easily and not look so cakey. I like to have a bit more control when I apply concealer, so rather than using a sponge, I would use a small brush to apply and then pat the product in lightly with my ring finger. Using your finger will also help take off any excess product that can sink into your lines.” – Ania Milczarczyk, Make-Up Artist and Laura Mercier Ambassador
Q. How do I stop smile lines in my make-up? I get deep creases after I laugh, can you recommend a primer for it or some tips?
“Definitely use less make-up and go over the specific areas where the creases form with a dry brush and remove excess product. Unfortunately you can’t really avoid the lines, but using less product and keeping it minimal in those places will make it less noticeable.” – Ania Milczarczyk, Make-Up Artist and Laura Mercier Ambassador
Q. What are the best make-up brushes to use?
“I have an obsession with soft, fluffy brushes. I even prefer eye make-up brushes to be fluffy rather than compact. I like everything to be really blended and the softer the brush is, the better it works for that effect. You only really need tightly packed brushes for dark or specific lines, so when it comes to powders and working with everyday make-up, I like my brushes to be fluffy.” – Ania Milczarczyk, Make-Up Artist and Laura Mercier Ambassador
Q. Are there any spots on the face which are a big no-no when it comes to highlighting?
“I would never highlight the middle of the forehead. I’ve seen so many blogs where they tell you to, but I never do. Obviously everyone is different so this may not apply to all people or artists, but in my opinion these are the spots to highlight (pictured below). I’ve found that highlighting your chin, forehead and anywhere near the nose (except for the tip of the nose itself) will make your makeup look sweaty and oily. Besides the point of the nose, the Cupid’s bow and the inner corners of the eyes, I would never highlight anywhere down the middle of the face.”
– Ania Milczarczyk, Make-Up Artist and Laura Mercier Ambassador
bh recommends:
- INIKA Cosmetics Light Reflect Highlighting Crème
- NYX Cosmetics Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator
- Nude by Nature Soft Focus Illuminator
- essence Soo glow!
Q. What’s the best primer to use for different skin types?
“I use a regular or ‘normal’ one for everyone. Even if you classify your skin as dry or oily, chances are your skin isn’t like that all over your face, so using a regular primer will probably have the best overall result. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer is my fave ($45, davidjones.com.au).” – Ania Milczarczyk, Make-Up Artist and Laura Mercier Ambassador
Did you learn something new from Ania’s answers? Are there any other questions you’d love to ask?
Interseting tips and ideas.
Another great read