This Months Beauty Expert Val Garland, Make Up Artist

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Beauty Uncovered

Written by Katie Campbell on August 2009

This Month's Beauty Expert: Val Garland, Make Up Artist

Meet Val Garland, A-list and backstage make up artist and YSL Beaute's Artistic Make Up Advisor.

Veteran make up artist Val Garland is one of the beauty world's most respected names, having lent her creative touch to hundreds of fashion shows, celebrities and magazine covers.

Despite juggling her time between Vogue cover shoots, Yves Saint Laurent Beaute meetings (she's their Artistic Make Up Advisor), and jet setting between fashion capitals, make up artist Val Garland, darling of the beauty industry, remains energetic and resolutely down to earth. Here, she took a break from her busy schedule to share with us her expert beauty tips.

How did you become a make up artist?

Initially I was a hairdresser. But I was on a shoot and the make up artist didn't turn up, so suddenly my new career was born.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The fantastic thing about this industry is that it's constantly transforming. There's always a continuous flow of ideas, an element of surprise, of never knowing what's around the corner – I love change, expecting the unexpected, and the fulfilling feeling of being part of something new.

YSL Tresor d'Afrique Poudre de Soleil

Which beauty products won't you leave the house without and why?

What's your all time best ever insider beauty tip?

After applying your foundation, dab an extra dot of moisturiser onto the cheekbones to give a more chiselled, sculptural effect.

What make up look are you loving for summer?

Bronzed Moroccan goddess. A wash of molten metallics across the lid brightens and lightens. Blend YSL's new Illuminating Water Resistant Eyeshadow in N.4 Copper Brown up to the socket line for sensual, smouldering definition.

What make up items should every woman own and why?

Eyelash curlers. They instantly make your lashes look longer, think of it as a face lift for your eyes (try Tweezerman Deluxe Eyelash Curler).

YSL Touche Eclat

What's your most-asked beauty question?

'How do I get rid of dark circles?' The worst thing is to use too much concealer too close to the eye, as this often can increase the effect of fine lines. A more modern approach is to camouflage any areas of darkness using a product that reflects light. YSL Touche Eclat is not a concealer, it is a radiance revealer that banishes shadows by brightening and lightening to fade away imperfections. One click of the pen will be enough. Apply just under darkness to reflect light upwards towards the eye.

Remember to clean the brush nib regularly with warm soapy water.

With summer in full swing, what's the secret to applying bronzer?

Apply bronzer with a very large fluffy brush. The reason for this is to gently disperse the colour for subtlety across the skin so that you look naturally sunkissed. Only sweep across the areas that would usually catch the sun, like the temples, cheekbones and nose. A good way to prevent the skin appearing too monotone after bronzer is to dust some apricot blush across the apples to bring back some warmth to the face.

YSL Top Secrets Flash Radiance

Is there a technique to creating luminous skin?

Luminous skin is all in the preparation. I always like to begin by massaging the skin with moisturiser to stimulate the blood circulation – it really wakes up your skin and promotes a natural healthy glow.

The second step is using a great primer. YSL Top Secrets Flash Radiance helps to seal the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and open pores for a smoother surface.

The next step in the quest for the perfect canvas is foundation application. YSL Perfect Touch foundation is fabulous for getting that peachy, baby soft appearance. Keep it minimal so that your skin still looks like skin – apply sparingly to even out the complexion and reduce any areas of redness. Apply to the central area of the face and fade out. You should never see where your foundation starts and finishes, so, blend, blend, blend!

Now very gently pat in some YSL Matt Touch down the T zone to take away excess shine. By minimising the use of powder, you prevent that 'caking' effect that visually ages the skin. Blend a little Boots No7 Skin Illuminator in Peach on the cheekbones and voila – fabulous, radiant skin!


Read More Like This:
Expert of the Month: Zoe Irwin
Meet the Fashion Week Insiders

Related Categories:
Premium Make-up
Bronzing & Fake Tan
Yves Saint Laurent

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