After almost 15 years of being on camera, I know how I like my face to look and I’m pretty darn assertive about it (which is much preferred by hair and makeup artists – no one wants someone who doesn’t communicate clearly). So when I’m working with a new hair/makeup artist I usually show photos of me that I like and then give the following descriptors:
- I like to look clean, natural, bright and glowy (I also likely say the word ‘youthful’, too, LOL).
- I want to see my cheeks, eyes and lips pop (I jokingly say that they will look like porcelain baby dolls).
- I don’t want to look tanner or bronzed (so no contouring) I understand this is ironic what with my self-tanning side profession, but on my face? NOPE. A face that is unnaturally tanned looks cheesy to me and makes you look older.
- I don’t like eye shadow (and will likely take it off). Reflective is fine or very soft/neutral can be ok but I find that I very much don’t like the look of eye shadow on me.
- I like a clean line (not smudgy) of eyeliner on the top lash line but not the bottom (same with mascara but I’ve had lash extensions forever so I don’t wear mascara).
Danielle Walch did my makeup in LA for over 10 years (I love her so much) so we didn’t even have to think about it. I’m so happy to have found Alyssa Fitchie up here in Portland who is my go-to hire for HMU (which is usually three times a month). I find that I’m WAY more excited to be on camera if I’m feeling good about how I look (shocking) and so I’ll stack all my ad campaigns into one day a week and get HMU so I look/feel my best (and yes, I change clothes for every job). She usually comes 7-8 am or 8-9 am depending on how much we have to shoot (she doesn’t stay all day so is able to take other jobs during the day) and we bang out shoot after shoot (some for reveals, some videos, others for just social campaigns). She is amazing and I wish she would come to me every day. So today we are showing you what she does and what products she uses on me (which are different than the seven things I’ve used for 15 years).
Let’s get started!
1. Moisturize!
Before we start, Alyssa makes sure I’m moisturized. I feel like it’s pretty much common knowledge that skin prep is crucial for your makeup to look good and stay looking good on your skin. So don’t forget that face lotion.
2. Primer (Face And Eyes).
It’s so easy to want to skip this step but don’t. This will help your makeup to stay put all day or night long and prevent any creasing. Alyssa uses Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Foundation Primer for my face and Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Anti-Aging) on my lids. Oh, and the primer for under the eyes that she normally uses is no longer available (RUDE). She’s still on the hunt for her new favorite but in the meantime, she recommends Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base.
3. Color Corrector
Alyssa applies a color corrector below my eyes. This stops concealer going gray. Alyssa is using the Bobbi brown Under Eye Corrector. You want to pick a color that contrasts with your undereye shade. This is how to find your shade: “Take a look at the discoloration under the eye. If it’s bluish-purple, choose a bisque shade. If it’s greenish-brown, choose a peach shade. If it’s a mix of both, choose a peach-bisque shade.”
The lid of the corrector can be added to the nostrils for extra brightness.
4. Under Eye Concealer
IT Cosmetics Bye-Bye Under Eye Waterproof Full Coverage Anti Aging Concealer is the concealer I always use when shooting. I love the way it feels and looks.
5. Eyeshadow
As I said, I really hate wearing eyeshadow so Alyssa doesn’t put any on me. The eyeshadow primer she uses helps avoid “oily” eyelids (which I don’t really have) and helps the eyeliner grip. I did ask her what she would use if I did want wear eyeshadow and she recommended this matte Makeup By Mario palette because it’s neutral and really buildable.
6. Eyeliner
We keep the eyeliner minimal to create a natural look. She tight lines (meaning she goes inner waterline of my eyes) with MAC’s Pro Longwear Fluidline in Blacktrack which is a soft black and this small angled brush.
7. Foundation
As all of you know I’m a die-hard Armani Luminous Silk foundation gal so that’s what Alyssa uses on me but I asked her what some of her other favorites were and she loves MAC’s Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation for everyday and Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundationfor events. Her biggest reminder for a more “natural look” is to go for light to medium coverage. You want to still be able see your gorgeous skin:)
8. Highlighter
I don’t really use highlighters but I asked Alyssa about it in case you love it! She said, “The one that really rocks the show is the Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Finishing Powder. “It’s not “technically” a highlighter, but it’s a very glowy setting powder and it makes skin look amazing!” For the everyday, Alyssa uses Rare Beauty.
The liquid highlighter looks great UNDER foundation.
9. Blush
It’s a classic for a reason – NARS Orgasm. Use a flat, round stipple blending brush. This brush will help to build up the blush, so that it applies nicely.
Apply to the apples around your eyes or in a C-shape for an adult look. Just don’t go below where your cheek crests to avoid aging yourself.
10. Eyebrows!
If you’ve been around for a while then you know I basically don’t have eyebrows. It’s super cool. To fill them in, Alyssa uses Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer to give little hair details and then Benefit’s Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill Eyebrow Pencil in 3.75 to fill in.
If you are a brunette, go one shade lighter than your hair colour.
11. Mascara
Since I have lashes I don’t use mascara but if you do she recommends LancômeMonsieur Big Waterproof Mascara.
12. Lips
What can I tell you? I love a good drugstore lip gloss. My favorite is the Wet n Wild (Bare It All).
13. Setting Spray
Last step to a long-lasting make-up! Alyssa uses MAC’s Prep + Prime FIX+ for a satin finish. After applying matte makeup, this can revive the makeup. Alyssa loves the Urban Decay setting spray.
Hope this helped if you’ve been hoping for some guidance on “natural” looking makeup:)
*Makeup by Alyssa Fitchie
**Photos by Kaitlin Green