FROM MAKEUP CLUMSY TO GOLDEN GODDESS (YOU CAN DO IT TOO!)

With my not-so-great motor skills and slight clumsiness, I'm not the most gifted makeup artist around. Oh, and did I mention that I have absolutely no patience for it? That's why I usually keep it super simple. A swipe of mascara, lip gloss, and I'm satisfied. And since I got eyelash extensions, I often do nothing at all.

When I go to a party, I do put in a bit more effort. Because I really understand that it's nice to dress up your face a bit more. I just can't say that it makes me look better. When I put on makeup, I look more like a ten-year-old rummaging through her mother's makeup bag than the femme fatale I had in mind.

Now I occasionally get professionally made up, and I'm always surprised that makeup artists take a full fifteen minutes per eyelid. An eyelid is maybe two and a half square centimeters. I mean, what are they doing all that time? When I apply eyeshadow myself, it takes me maybe half a minute. And then the time they spend shaping, highlighting, and concealing your face. How? What? I'm already very happy if I remember to put on a swipe of tinted moisturizer. And when I apply blush, I look like I've escaped from an aerobics video from the eighties.

Conclusions:

1. I have no idea what to do.

2. I don't take the time for it.

But then there was... Charlotte Tilbury. This makeup guru has been creating looks for Kate Moss, Penelope Cruz, J.Lo, and Rihanna for years and has recently launched her own makeup line. She is especially known for her miraculous work with eyes. Hypnotizing and mesmerizing eyes, she calls it. Charlotte seems to be so fond of eye makeup that she creates a smoky eye for herself just before going to bed, which she calls her bedroom eye. Yes, it goes far. Shall we agree not to make this a trend?

Anyway, I absolutely refuse to go to bed with makeup on, and if that becomes the new norm, I'm moving to the interior of Congo. But how happy I am with her amazing makeup line with online tutorials. I recently got a series of makeup products with which you can create a look called Golden Goddess. That name really appealed to me, especially now that the days are so gray and gloomy, and I intensely long for sun, sea, and beach.

I dutifully watched the tutorial and meticulously followed all the instructions. I was busy for a total of twenty-five minutes, which was already a milestone for me. And the best part was: I really looked very professional. And shiny. And radiant. I went to the premiere of the documentary by Heleen van Royen, and I popped off the red carpet photos.

So for all the makeup clumsies out there: there is hope. Her name is Charlotte.