How to create Red Carpet Glamour

Skin with star quality 

That picture-perfect skin is hard to achieve but NOT impossible. Just remember the basics: cleanse, exfoliate, tone and prime the skin - preparation is the key to this and try and get this part done well in advance then leave your skin to 'rest' for a couple of hours before applying makeup. Often when you have just washed your face your pores will still be open and your skin discoloured from contact with your towel so you will not get a good calm base with which to work. Try a primer to provide a base for your foundation which ensures it will stay put longer but will also help give the illusion of flawless radiant skin. I recommend; Avon Magix Face Perfector or Beauty Flash Balm by Clarins. Try and choose a light foundation and build up the coverage gradually rather than going for the strongest coverage you can lay your hands on. Spread small spots of foundation all over the face and use your fingertips (ring and middle-fingers only as your index finger will apply to much pressure to the skin) or a foundation brush such as my Jackie Tyson Professional Foundation Brush to blend, blend, blend. You are aiming to make the foundation disappear before applying another light layer.

Camera-friendly contours

The camera is not very forgiving and as stars glide down the red carpet, shots are taken from all angles. Heaven forbid, but there is no time to pose! Catch the camera out by ensuring that your face looks well contoured so shots look good from whatever angle. Cheekbones are the heart of the face and you can easily accent these using a simple shadowing technique. Use a light shimmery powder (a shade or two lighter than your skin tone) in an arc from the outside of the eye socket nearest the temple to the top of the cheekbone. Just beneath the arc, use your favourite blusher, mixed with some of the shimmer powder and lightly dust the cheekbones in an up and outward motion. The contrast between the two colours gives the illusion of screen-friendly cheekbones and you can dust additional powder on the décolletage for some added glamour. I always have Iridescent Powder in Golden Bronze by MAC in my kit.

Pouting-perfection

This year there are two very definite looks to choose from; super-star red or feminine flirty. Red lipstick is a lot easier to apply than you think. The secret is to invest in a matching lip liner and again it's all in the prep. Brush your lips with a wet toothbrush gently to remove the top layer of dead skin and then use a good moisturiser such as Lucas Papaw all over the lips and lip line and massage in for a few minutes/ Leave this to settle for a few minutes and blot with a tissue. Next, apply the matching lip liner to your chosen red and trace a fine, faint line around the lips. This is not to provide colour, just to provide an outline to fill. Always use a clean lip brush to apply your lipstick to keep the colour pure and blend it into the lips in a 'push and sweep' motion. Blot with a tissue after first application and then start the process again for layer two. Once complete you can even soften the look with a transparent lip gloss or one in the same red. If you want high-shine but no stickiness add a touch of Vaseline to your brush during bending. I love Santa from Cosmetics A La Carte. Feminine and flirty is a quick and easy one to master. Just use a lip liner as close to the colour of your own lips that you can find and trace a fine line for increased definition then, use your lip gloss wand and apply sparingly from corner to corner. Apply a second coat for staying power but if you are going for a hair-down style go matt or you spend the evening pulling hair away from your lip gloss.

Show-stopping peepers

Eye lashes are great for added glamour and making your look that bit more red-carpet, but experiment first because you only get one chance to apply them correctly. Lashes usually need to be sized to fit your eyes so measure them by holding up the strip lash against your own lash line and chop off any extra length with a pair of clean nail scissors. Apply your mascara then put a fine line of adhesive onto the strip lash, wait for the glue to go tacky then apply. Stick the corners down with a fine brush and then work your way to the middle of the lid. Hold in place for a few minutes before moving on to the other eye. I like the pro eyelash kit from thepromakeupshop.com with enough lashes and tools to practice and create any look you want from natural to show-stopping. Eylure has a fantastic range of lashes to choose from too. Fill in any gaps with some gel or liquid eyeliner and a very fine application brush. Don't use a pencil because it may dislodge the lashes. Curling your lashes after application can help blend your own with the strip lashes.

If you want to find out more about Jackie then check out her website at www.JackieTyson.co.uk.