Marks and Spencer present their latest campaign, Ageless Beauty, working with makeup artist and M&S beauty ambassador Mary Greenwell.
To celebrate this brilliant beauty collaboration, Mary brings you her steps to Ageless Beauty. Incorporating products available to buy from Marks and Spencer, read on for a master class on timeless makeup.
- Start by prepping the skin by gently exfoliating and toning using the Pixi Glow Tonic (£18), which leaves the skin with a beautiful, natural glow. Next prime the face with the Pixi Flawless Primer (£24), this primer will hydrate the skin and leave it with a radiant glow, whilst enabling the makeup to stay put throughout the day.
- To create a flawless base, apply a light layer of Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (£10), be careful not to use too much as the primer has done a lot of the work already. Mary’s Top Tip: Only apply foundation to the centre of the face and then gently blend it out. This creates a luminous glow on the key areas that the light naturally hits.
- To cover up any under-eye shadows and help give a lift to the eye area, apply Diego Dalla Palma Concealer (£15) under eyes. Lightly blend the concealer out and continue onto the outer cheekbones.
- Continuing with the eyes, apply the lightest colour from the Pur Minerals Secret Crush Palette (£24). Apply this shade just underneath the brow, highlighting the area and creating a gorgeous, subtle shimmer that accentuates the brow bone. Next take a darker, warmer tone from the palette and lightly blend over the whole eye lid, by patting the colour on in stages, which will build the colour gradually. Work a little more colour into the corner of the eye socket, as this area can tend to droop as we get older.
- To further define the eyes, apply Rosie for Autograph Gel Eyeliner in Star Empire (£12.50) along the natural lash line, getting right into the roots of the lashes – this will add both strength and depth to the eyes. When using an eyeliner always build the liner up slowly, focusing on the outer corners of the eyes. If needed, step back and take a second look, then you can always add more until you are happy with the overall shape.
- To add in depth and to further enhance and highlight the eyes apply Autograph Ultimate Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Rose Pink (£9.50) to the lower eyelid. Blend the colour along the lower lash line, this will open up the whole eye area and will accentuate the natural eye shape. Mary’s Top Tip: Don’t be frightened to play with shimmer or worry about it highlighting lines and creases, it is all about the placement and technique. Matte colours can sometimes be slightly ageing, whereas shimmer adds luminosity and softness to the skin.
- To complete the eyes apply a generous layer of Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (£18), ensuring you get right into the root of the lashes to make the eyes truly pop. If you only apply mascara to the ends of the lashes, they will never look long and full enough. If you get any mascara residue on the eyelids, gently remove with a cotton bud – the most valuable tool in the world of makeup!
- Moving onto the eyebrows, it is important to create the perfect definition and colour, without making brows appear too heavy. Using the brown shade from the Autograph Eyeshadow Palette (£15), fill in the central part of the brow and any sparse areas. Be careful not to use too much product otherwise this can change the entire look. Mary’s Top Tip: If you have any grey in your eyebrows try not to use a product that has a red undertone as this can make brows appear overdone. Using the Eyeko Brow Gel (£18), remove any excess product from the brush and apply in short upward strokes using the tip to shape and style for long-lasting hold.
- Next, keeping the cheeks very minimal and soft, apply the Autograph Pure Luxe Multi Blusher in Soft Coral (£12.50) for a light wash of colour. Highlight cheek bones with the new Rosie for Autograph Starstruck Highlighter in Get the Glow (£15), using fingertips to gently apply in a dotting action along the cheek bones, providing the perfect amount of shimmer.
- To add a warm glow to the face, take the Stila Stay All Day Bronzer in Dark (£28), and apply by brushing it into the hairline, underneath the cheekbones and under the jawline. This bronzer has no red undertones so is also perfect to use as a contour colour.
- To help lipstick last that little bit longer, apply the Barry M Lip Pencil in Plum (£3) along the natural lip line. Adding a lip liner plumps up the appearance of the lips and prevents lipstick travelling into the small creases around the mouth. Next apply your chosen lip colour, I have chosen the Stila Lipstick in Evangeline (£16). Gradually layer on the colour and press lips together. Finally, go back over with lip liner to perfect the look and enhance the colour that little bit more.
- To complete the look, lightly dust pressed powder onto any shiny parts of the face. Apply Autograph Pressed Powder (£9.50) along the nose, under the eyes, on the T-zone and the corners of the nose to set the makeup, but maintain a gorgeous glow to the skin. Don’t brush powder onto the centre of the nose, as this looks best a little naturally shiny.