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| credit: Kimi Hammerstroem |
Ali is a make-up artist specialising in fashion who has a wealth of experience working on photo shoots, fashion shows, music videos, events, and advertorials. Her CV is impressive having worked for ELLE, NYLON, Platform Magazine, The Cut, The Times Magazine and many more. We caught up with her to find out what we should be wearing on our faces, her hot tips and where she hangs in London.
Us: So Ali what are the key trends makeup for this season?
Ali: This season make-up is bold, with strong colours going on eyes, lips and nails. Jewel tones and metallics are everywhere at the moment with big smokey eyes being updated in new colours and finishes. I am besotted with Tom Ford's new make-up range, I love the more polished 'done' look with the huge smokey eyes in jewel tones paired with a bold lip, contoured cheeks and neat brows and hair. For so long we've been told to do either our eyes or our lips, and I love seeing some bolder looks being made more accesible.
Of course, this is London where the grungy look is done so well so I think there's a real potential to mess it up and be edgy with it too. Eyeliner is having a massive moment too and bright lips and big brows are still big news.
Us: Great news we're totally loving the grunge look too and have our eyes on the
Gareth Pugh Mac collection. Do you have any secret tips or favourite make up brands you just can't live without?
Ali: The thing I probably get asked most by people is which foundations are the best. Before I recommend a foundation to anyone, I always recommend them to invest in a
Clarisonic first. So many people try to improve their skin with make-up but it really is worth getting your skin into the best possible condition first and then enhancing it with a good foundation. The Clarisonic is a sonic skin cleansing brush that will literally transform anyones skin, I'm obsessed with mine!
You can use it with any cleanser, but I prefer oil based cleansers (my favourites are Eve Lom's original cleanser for a deep cleanse and make-up removal in the evening, and Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil for a light cleanse in the morning) as they don't strip dry skin and they help to balance oilier skin types, so they're perfect on everyone. I've started using the Clarisonic on models at shoots to give an instant glow and help the make-up go on perfectly, you need far less foundation after using it too. After cleansing and moisturising, my favourite bases are by Chantecaille, Chanel and By Terry and it's always good to use a primer (Laura Mercier's are great) and a light dusting of powder (Shu Uemura's is my favourite) down the T-Zone to help it stay on all day. If you like a dewy finish, try using Laura Mercier's Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser on your cheekbones, temples, down the nose and a dab on your chin as a highlighter- it gives the best natural glow.
A new favourite make-up brand of mine is
By Terry. It's still a little bit under the radar, but their products are really incredible- their red lipsticks are the best I have ever tried. The texture is very creamy and hydrating, but the colour is rich and incredibly long lasting which can be hard to find. My favourites are 202 which is a great blue-red which reminds me of MAC's Ruby Woo and 203 which is the perfect blood red- every time I wear it I get asked where it's from by women saying they've been searching for the exact shade.
Us: That's our Christmas list sorted then. What about your influences? Where do you look for inspiration?
Ali: As a make-up artist there are an abundance of things to be influenced by- designers and clothes, art, other make-up artists, models, celebrities, street style, colours, textures... I always keep an eye on new products and technologies in the beauty world because things are changing constantly. I also pay attention to both high fashion make-up trends and trends on the street as Londoners have amazing style. It's great to come together with a whole team before a shoot and hear everyone's ideas and come up with something new, my mind is always open.
Us: And what about in your free time? Where do you like to hang out in London?
Ali: I've lived in Shepherd's Bush for two years now and my favourite pub is The Defectors Weld on the Uxbridge Road. It's dark and cosy but it also often has djs on the weekends and 'Roasts and Records' on a Sunday is a highlight. For nightlife I'm a bit useless and just go where my friends are going, usually around East, Brixton or Soho. My favourite place to go for brunch afterwards though is The Breakfast Club, it is breakfast heaven!
Roasts and Records - we like the sound of that! If you like the sound of Ali and want to know more about her check out her website below or drop her a line.
www.aliwicksteed.com
Tis the season of the sample sale! Last week you had Acne and French Connection and this week it's Alexander McQueen and Simon Harrison followed by a host of goodies next week including a personal fav the Elle Macpherson underwear sale.
