Nikki DeRoest is a makeup artist of many talents. But it’s her ability to create the most gleaming, glowing and gorgeous skin that’s got the whole world wanting to know her artistry secrets.
She is, after all, the woman responsible for producing some of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s best looks and has painted the faces of Phoebe Tonkin and Shanina Shaik, too.
So when beautyheaven had the chance to interview Bobbi Brown’s Artist in Residence, we soaked up every bit of advice we could…
#1 Shimmer and pores don’t mix
If the main thing standing between you and a flawless base is enlarged pores, Nikki says to avoid shimmer or glitter in your products.
“They make the pores stand out more,” she tells us. “I never use blushes that have shimmer in them; I think you can get radiance from a cream [instead] or with the skin care you use behind.”
She’s also not one to use primer, preferring to diffuse the look of pores post-foundation instead. “I’ll usually add a little concealer on top of my foundation to reduce the look of pores and a really finely-milled powder for an airbrush finish without being heavy,” she says, speaking of the Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder.
#2 Choose the blush that looks the ugliest
It’s true that finding the right blush is personal and largely depends on your skin tone, but Nikki has another tip that can also help you start your blush journey.
“The one you think looks the ugliest in the packaging is the one that looks the best on the face,” she says. “We could go more in depth, but in general a neutral blush is the least exciting, the more muted, rosey-brown shade.”
Her favourite? Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in ‘Powder Pink’; “a really dusty rose shade that’s a great neutral for everybody.”
Nikki recommends starting here and then once you find your neutral base line, “you can find one that looks more pink with a blue undertone or one that’s more peach with a warm undertone,” depending on whether you’re cool or warm.
#3 Always add hydration and shine to mature skin
As a general rule, Nikki says the older skin gets, the more hydration and shine is needed.
“I think that anything that looks fresh and hydrated always looks like youth,” she says.
“I always like to use the analogy of painting an old house; if you paint with a matte finish paint you can see every crack and line, but with a semi gloss paint, it diffuses any cracks and lines.”
And while she doesn’t like a shimmer blush, she says something hydrating and light-reflecting on the eyes can be very youthful. “It’s all an opposite game, everything you think might make you look older will probably make you look younger.”
bh recommends: NYX Professional Makeup Foil Play Cream Eyeshadow and Revlon ColorStay Glaze Stick™.
#4 Define the lash line for hooded eyes
Trying to figure out eye makeup for hooded eyes? “You never want to put any darker shadows of depth in the crease,” advises Nikki. “You want to keep that light and bring the light forward.”
Instead, to create dimension, she says to keep everything close to the lash line and keep it narrow. “And if you’re trying to elongate the eye, look straight ahead into a mirror so your eye is open,” she says. That way you’ll be able to see the end result as you create it, instead of it disappearing as soon as you open your eye.
#5 The ‘triangle of youth’ is BS
Remember the ol’ faithful concealer hack of drawing triangles under your eyes? Nikki’s not a fan.
“The triangle one drives me crazy,” she says. “Just because I think we’re missing the purpose of what concealer is used for.”
“As it’s thicker, for me, concealer should literally only be placed in the areas you’re trying to brighten,” she explains. “And with the triangle it immediately gets heavy.”
Put simply, less is more.
And if it’s dark circles you’re trying to conceal, Nikki recommends going for a concealer with a peach or red undertone to take away the blue. She’s a big fan of Bobbi Brown’s Correctors and bh also loves jane iredale Enlighten Concealer.
#6 Choose full coverage for versatility
Surprisingly, the queen of glowing skin says if you can only invest in one base product to reach your luminosity goals, make it a full coverage foundation.
“That way you have control over the coverage and can confidently feel like you’re covered, but then you can also dilute it with an oil or skin care to sheer it out,” she explains.
Speaking of the Bobbi Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 in particular, Nikki says, “when I need full coverage I’m able to build without it looking like it’s a heavy foundation. The formula has a moisturised luminosity, and as an artist I like to keep it close to me.”
If you have the means or option, tinted moisturiser is great, sure. But if you don’t, “take half a pump of full coverage foundation and mix with your moisturiser to turn the product into something else,” she suggests.
#7 Experiment with makeup before you shower
Want to put some of your new makeup tricks to the test? “If you want to experiment with makeup, the best time to do it is before your shower in the morning,” says Nikki.
“That way you can try new colours and if you don’t like it you’re not stuck with it.” Simply wash it off or keep your face away from the water if you like what you see. Genius!
Main image credit: @nikkideroest
What did you think of Nikki’s tips? Will you be trying any?
I’ve reported jasonwong1 below as spam.
The blush tip is true. I’ve seen vibrant pink blushes and thought they would look ghastly on me and looked great. Pores and fine lines can accentuate makeup and make it worse. I believe less is more. I never really got the triangle concealer either. I generally put tiny dots where I see shadows/purple in the corners of eyes and a little bit under the eye to help brighten eye area. My skin is getting more crapey as I age so I’m all for hydrating plumping skincare.
I used to do that clown triangle concealer hack but nowadays I think that was way too much and I prefer to be more targeted
Totally agree about the concealer tip , I never understood why some pack on so much concealer, it just looks heavy and cakey
Some interesting tips to try.
Agree with the triangle of youth, I never understood it and am very glad to see the move toward minimal concealer used Judy in inner corners and outer edges, looks much prettier and actually does conceal what you want.
Yeah I don’t usually keep that rule in my repitoire either. I use minimal concealer. If I was on stage (which I am not) then I could understand it as an effective trick.
I like her before the shower tip. I also find that if I have any chance during the day to have an experiment then I will do it then and it’s kind of fun to have my make-up done in a special way for that rest of the day. Then it gets washed off in my shower at night but it also gets a chance to be worn out somewhere – not too much at the moment though with the current lockdown!
Some good tips here and yes, her skin looks lovely.
The tips are good but one of the pictures above has way too much highlighter for my liking – so much for keeping it natural!
I’d be interested in trying Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in ‘Powder Pink’. It doesn’t look neutral to me but I see there are some great reviews on BH.
Ah good tips – I particularly like the hooded eye one.
#1 is too right.
Great tips thankyou
Great to know about the triangle concealer tip and of course tinted moisturiser, you can have fun making your own
I agree with hydrating the mature skin really important.
Good read. Having said that if you don’t have visible pores, I like a little shimmer high on cheekbones, down bridge of nose and a little in the middle of chin to create glow.
I have never heard of “the triangle of youth” and nor have I ever employed anything close to it!
Some great tips.
I’ve been looking for a dusty rose powder blush with a cool undertone for a while, but I haven’t found one that I like. Sometimes I use a dusty rose lipstick that has a hint of lavender as a cream blush and it works well with my complexion.
Not big on makeup but lovely read.
Great tips – I had a laugh about the ugliest blush one.
Goodnread
Thank you some great tips there
i use to do number 7 when i was new to makeup and learning
Some useful tips here. I like the shower tip, and I agree with using a bit of concealer over foundation.