There are lots of celebrity how-tos out there and gazillions of Kardashian looks on Youtube.
But how often do you get to hear from the horse’s mouth on how to create a celebrity’s look, from their own make-up artist?
We attended an amazingly informative ‘tips and techniques’ live demonstration by Amber D, Lorde’s Makeup Artist, along with New Zealand beauty editors at Mildred and Co in Auckland on Monday 23rd June.
M.A.C Senior Artist Amber Dreadon has just finished an 8-month tour with the Grammy-winning artist and shared her techniques and some of the stories from touring with the star.
So, how did Amber meet Ella?
Amber did Ella’s make-up in a Metro photo and offered to do her makeup for an album release and suggested she wear Heroine as it matched her album name, Pure Heroine. “We’ve been on tour together ever since.”
They went to USA and played at Awards shows where “Beyonce opened for her,” Amber laughed. “It was very stressful.”
So, how about those black fingers at the Grammy’s?
Ella had a gel manicure done already then painted her fingers black with MAC nailpolish then performed, raced upstairs, removed the finger polish, and the gel mani stayed behind on her nails only, when she collected her Grammy Award. She actually wore the Pure Heroine at the Grammy’s, well ahead of its public release.
“I’ve never done a black lip!” states Amber. “You often read in the press about Ella having a “white face and a black lip” and I’m like, that’s her face! She’s just really pale.”
“Out of a crowd of a thousand girls, half the girls are in a dark lip. We call it the Lorde Effect.
Amber’s Makeup Tips with Lorde
I try to keep Ella’s makeup consistent and not change it too much. I always use Lip Fix so it dries matte and stays put. I’m also Wardrobe Department and Ella does a change halfway through the show.
She doesn’t wear bronzer, cos what teen goth wears bronzer!?
I use the black eye liner pen and “if Ella wriggles, it’s more of a cats-eye!
I use Extended Play Mascara with its tiny brush to get to every lash. It’s sweatproof and does not move.
Ella has dead-straight lashes so I have to curl the heck out of them. Always use a lash curler.
We always highlight the skin using Pearl Creme Highlighter on the highest point of the cheekbone, and the bridge of the nose.
If Ella requires more coverage I put Mineralize Skin Finish Powder just on the lower cheek area.
Below L-R: Milly Nolan of Mildred & Co, Katie and Mackenzie from M.A.C.
Below: MAC looks inspired by Lorde styled by Dan Ahwa with makeup by Amber D. L-R Rhianon @ Clyne wears Jimmy D shorts, Zambesi blazer; Amberley @ Red 11 wears Jimmy D; Kendell @ Clyne wears Georgia Alice skirt and Taylor Boutique top. Nose ring by Meadowlark Jewellery.
Get Lorde’s Makeup Look: Skin
Amber D prepped skin with Radiance Pink Prep + Prime Natural, and Strobe Liquid. She says try mixing the two for luminous bright-looking skin.
She used Studio Sculpt Foundation and Pro Longwear Concealer followed by Studio Careblend Pressed Powder.
Kendell Tobin of Clyne.
Get Lorde’s Makeup Look: Eyes
Quite Natural Paint Pot applied with the 217 Blending Brush and lightly winged outward from the crease. Next, use Always Sunny Prop Longwear Eye Shadow over the Paint Pot Graphblack Technakohl Liner applied along upper and lower lash lines and above the crease and blend it using 239 Eye Shadow Brush. The classic Carbos Eye Shadow is layered over the top to intensify the eye and lashes curled with Full Lash Curler.
Get Lorde’s Makeup Look: Cheeks
Amber D buffed on Hush Cream Colour Base on cheeks with the 168 Large Angled Contour Brush.
Get Lorde’s Makeup Look: Lips
At the start, she applied Prep + Prime Lip to prepare the lips, while the rest of the face was being done. Then she applied Magenta Lip Pencil over the whole lip area and completed the look with Pure Heroine Lipstick.
Lipstick Pure Heroine is a deep plum (amplified) and retails for $40, and Penultimate Eye Liner Rapidblack in true black is $40. MAC Lorde will be on counter at MAC this Friday 27 June 2014.
By Megan Robinson
24 June 2014
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