Gigi Bowmer is the makeup artist for one of the greats of the earth; Estée Lauder. At the launch party, she gave all our guests a touch-up and now she finally shares her favorites with us. And then she also gives us tips on how to apply all those lovely products beautifully.
Morning ritual
“I always wake up fairly early and the first thing I do is make a rooibos tea, check some work, and then have breakfast with my two sons. I take a bath every day, but I don't use anything spectacular, I just throw in some lavender bath salt. I love that. Additionally, I am really addicted to body lotion, I often just use a neutral one, and alternate with the Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Body Crème from Estée Lauder. That is really the crème de la crème. As for skincare, I always start the day with the Perfectionist CP + R serum, and at night, of course, with the Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex. CP+R is firming and perfect for fine lines and wrinkles. After that, I use eye cream and the matching day cream from the Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Crème. Those products are really nice for a good price tag and I can see on my skin that they do their job well. After the skincare products, I use the Double Wear Light foundation from Estée Lauder as a base, which I mix with a drop of Advanced Night Repair. This really gives you a no make-up effect. At the breakfast table, I do the rest of my makeup. Depending on my work, I choose a natural or a more striking look. In bright lights, for example, colors fade faster and striking red lips are ideal.”
Favorite nail polish
“The Pure Color Nail lacquer from Estée Lauder is very beautiful. Envious is a perfect red color. Very cool and it suits everyone. The Smoked Chrome is also very nice, an anthracite color that goes with everything. That is a metallic polish that covers immediately and dries instantly. The third one I alternate with is green; Viper. I find nails important and they immediately give a well-groomed appearance. Especially not too long nails give that look.”
Red carpet essential
“I really think this is a good primer for under your foundation. The Illuminating Perfecting Primer gives a soft glow under your foundation. That way, you radiate completely. It looks natural with a little extra. Another red carpet essential is striking eyelashes. Sumptuous Infinite Mascara gives a great eyelash extension effect. And if you apply Lash Primer Plus underneath, you really get incredibly long lashes.”
All-time favorite
“Double Wear Light foundation. It is so beautiful, it matches everyone. If photos are taken of you, it gives a perfect result. The way of application is also very nice, you can build it up completely so you never look overdone. Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme CC cream SPF 10 is also super nice. Many women are used to a huge fragrance wardrobe, but what is finally coming is to create a wardrobe of foundations. A different choice for every moment, so to speak. This CC Cream is nice and can even go under the foundation.”
Lipstick
“I often wear red lipstick. Now the Pure Colour Envy from Estée Lauder in the color Impassioned is my favorite. That case, so beautiful, and the click sound when you close the case is really a moment of luxury. If I wear a Smokey Eye, I skip the red lipstick and choose a nude lipstick. It’s really handy to first color your lips completely with your lip pencil, blend it with a brush, and then apply the lipstick over it. Then everything stays so much prettier and lasts longer. Handy, right, with all those long days.”
Eyebrows or lashes
“Eyebrows determine the appearance of your face. Many women choose mascara as an absolute must, but once they are a bit further in the beauty world, they quickly say eyebrows. My tip to get them well shaped, lifted, and to open your face is to relax the eyebrows and then lift them very lightly, at 3/4e, up. You then see an angle. As a guideline, place a dot at the highest point of that angle. Start by applying light sketch lines from the start towards that highest point. Create the angle and extend towards the hairline. Don’t forget to blend a bit. Success guaranteed.”
Unexpected beauty tool
“Your fingertips. Many women use too much blush and they don’t realize it. I only think; sophisticated chic. Take your powder blush and rub some blush on your ring finger. Then blend it on the pad of your thumb, that’s where you blend it. With your finger, you apply it to the apple of your cheek. It’s a beautiful way of applying blush because it never becomes too much and it becomes one with your skin. Apply a tiny bit on the tip of your nose and chin and the two ‘bumps’ on your forehead. Just gives a little extra.”
Favorite perfume
“Actually several. In winter, that is Knowing from Estée Lauder. In summer, I wear Jasmine White Moss, from the Private Collection of Estée Lauder. This was designed by Aerin, Estée's granddaughter. The packaging is full of beautiful stones, inspired by the bracelet Aerin received from her grandmother.”
Never leave home without
“If you spend a little more time in the morning applying your makeup well, you won’t have to worry about it during the day. Personally, I always find makeup looks even better after about an hour and a half. Then it has come to life a bit more. Apply your products carefully; during the day you will touch up your lips or apply some powder, but then it’s also fine. Nothing is as boring as a ’perfect look‘. A woman who checks every second ’if everything is still okay‘ misses the point. You always want to keep a bit of ’rock‘ in your appearance.’
