When I had to be at the office at 8 o'clock this week to shoot a video, it was an early day. So I left the whole makeup ritual aside for a moment, since I had already rolled out of bed at 6 o'clock. Fortunately, makeup artist Emma Blok was there waiting to provide me with a flawless face. We immediately clicked, as we both prefer a natural look and don't want to be overly concerned about it. But hey, a makeup artist has the right tips and tricks to really get it right. And she's just sharing those with you now.
Application ritual
“To be honest, I don't have any fixed creams that I use. I used to work at Douglas and got so many lovely products there that I used all brands interchangeably. Now those products are unfortunately all gone, but my addiction to different creams has remained and I never have one fixed favorite. I also always use a serum under my cream from any brand. Sometimes I have those phases where I'm surfing the internet for “the miracle cream” and then I'm quickly persuaded to try something else. I have read that pure coconut oil is good for the skin, so I sometimes sleep with that now. That coconut oil is also good for your hair and whole body, so I actually go to bed completely smeared with it haha. Furthermore, I always use an eye cream. I prefer a greasy one, as I don't find gel-like textures pleasant. Besides the creams, I always apply factor 30. I learned that once and it helps a lot in keeping your skin even. Pigmentation tends to increase over the years. Lastly, I apply self-tanner all over my body every other day. From head to toe. Sometimes I just mix it with some body lotion for good hydration. So I really don't go through life pale, but I also don't need to visit the tanning bed.”
Eyebrow or lashes?
“Eyebrow. An eyebrow is so beautiful on the face, it lifts and it speaks. Eyelashes are of course beautiful too, but if I have to choose, I choose the eyebrow. Eyes always speak a little anyway. However, you often see poorly drawn eyebrows. I always say; either you do it well, or you don't do it at all. But that applies to everything in makeup. I feel the same way about myself. I can get really annoyed if, for example, my bronzer doesn't sit nicely. If it streaks or is just too dark. Then I'd rather not wear it.”
Favorite perfume
“Monoi from Yves Rocher, I discovered that a while ago. I'm crazy about warm, coconut/vanilla-like summer scents. The Body Shop also has such a nice coconut perfume that is not expensive at all. I also wear a lot of Hypnotic from Dior. Deliciously sultry.”
Nails
“I find nails important. Whether there's nail polish on them or not doesn't matter to me, but well-groomed nails look fresh. I actually always wear some color. I tend to lean towards coral, orange/orange-red, and rose colors. Sometimes I try a dark one (gray, army green) but it just doesn't look as nice with my skin. Although I find dark colors beautiful. Because of my work, I often receive goodie bags and that's why I don't have any fixed nail polish brands. I do have a lot from Make-up Studio and I find them very nice, I must say.”
Favorite brands
“I love M.A.C Cosmetics and Make-Up Studio. My suitcase is filled with them. But I can't live without my beautiful palette from Visaert (eyeshadow)! Kiko is also nice and affordable. There's so much fun stuff!”
Undiscovered beauty product
“The coconut oil! And I really like the polishing brush from Make-up Studio. You use it to polish the foundation you've applied to your face, and it looks very fresh. I also think the Strobe Cream from M.A.C Cosmetics is super. It's a kind of shine that you can mix with your day cream and it gives you a porcelain-like skin.”
Never leave home without
“Mineralize powder from M.A.C Cosmetics. I don't use foundation myself. I love to keep it as natural as possible and that powder evens out, is not visible but gives a radiant effect. I'm crazy about mineralize products.”
Beauty blunder
“Iremember when bronzers were very much in style, I used to apply it quite generously on myself. We're talking about quite a few years ago when I wasn't so experienced in this field yet. But looking back at that now, I think; oh, that could have been a bit more subtle and not all over the face. I thought that was better than using the tanning bed. Quite a miss.”
Trend
“I love fresh skin! Peachy cheeks, highlighting, and little makeup. I think the thin eyebrows are probably the least beautiful trend that was ever in, and I can appreciate everything else in its time. I say: never wear too much. Do what you apply very neatly and with a statement or leave it otherwise. Even if it's just powder. Also, make sure you always choose the right colors and good textures for your skin type. You just have to keep trying. And don't get me wrong; for shoots, makeup is fine, but for daily life, I have a different preference.”
