The Lo Down: Makeup tips from Gina Myers

Gina Myers is a fashion and celebrity makeup artist, as well as the senior makeup artist for Elizabeth Arden South Africa.

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Her work has been showcased in various publications such as Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Marie Claire – and she has worked with local celebrities including Zuraida Jardine and Poppy Ntshongwana, as well as international superstar Jared Leto. We sat down to talk all things beauty and get some of her top makeup tips.

Healthy skin is beautiful skin

“Your skin is the canvas on which to paint a beautiful picture,” says Myers. “Having a good skincare regime that is suited to your skin is essential so make sure you know what your skin type is and what beauty products work best for your skin.”

Keep it simple

“When applying your makeup, whether it’s foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara, or lipstick, start with a light application,” advises Myers. “The lighter you start the more natural it will look. If you want to accentuate a certain element you can always go heavier with a second, or third, application, but it’s much harder to remove a layer if you’ve applied too much,” Myers adds.

Eyes on the prize

“It’s true that your ‘eyes are the windows to the soul’, so don’t underestimate their power when it comes to a day or night look.” Even if you’re not a makeup fan, Myers suggests making friends with a good mascara. “Luscious lashes immediately lift and contour the eyes,” she says.

It’s all in the light

Myers recommends applying makeup in as natural a light as possible. “The more artificial the light, the more chances there are of getting colours and shades wrong, so when you can, do your makeup in a sun-lit room.”

Blended perfection

“Blend, blend … and then blend some more!” For the most natural results, Myers suggests blending your foundation by starting in the middle of your face and blending outwards down your neck. “You don’t want a two-tone effect!”

Myers believes in authentic beauty by accentuating your unique features. “I’m driven by Elizabeth Arden’s belief that to be beautiful is the birthright of every woman.”

– For more makeup tips, follow Gina on Twitter @gi_myers, as well as Elizabeth Arden South Africa on their official Twitter handle @EArdenSA