Makeup Tutorial - Zandi Loots

Here is a step-by-step guide for the ultimate day-time makeup look as demonstrated by local professional makeup artist Zandi Loots, bearing in mind that makeup enhances natural elements and is not a mask. We take you through the steps of laying that perfect base (literally and figuratively), highlighting your best assets through contouring and shading, as well as tips and tricks to make it last longer.

1 - Applying Base

I have often made the mistake when using the "beauty blender" (tear-drop-shaped sponge thing) because I always apply the base to the sponge and then rub it in, which means much of my preciously student-budget expensive base, is absorbed by my (greedy) sponge. Alas, Zandi set me right and explained that you first apply the base to your skin and then the sponge is used to blend.

The base used is Mehron (the same one the Kardashians use)

2 - Highlighter

Although there are various amazing higlighting products on the market, the easier and often cheaper route is to use a base that is two to three times lighter than you skin tone. This you apply:

- on the top of your forehead (with strokes stemming out from the point between your eye-brows)

- down your nose

- under your eye and above your cheekbone

3 - Preventative Powder

Zandi used a method I have often encountered among makeup artists, where powder is placed under the eye so that while eye-shadow is applied, the follicles fall into the powder and can thus be swept away afterwards and do not leave marks in your perfectly applied base.

4 - She came, she saw, she contoured

Zandi highlights a few key contouring areas:

- Above forehead

(makes faces look smaller and more delicate)

- Two lines with gap down the middle of your nose (makes your nose appear thinner)

- Dark line on cheek bone

(creates a sense of angularity. for someone with a round face such as myself, this adds prominence to cheekbones)

The most important part - blend!

5 - Eyes

There are a million ways to enhance your eyes but Zandi has opted for a subtle look as my makeup is for a day-time event).

Key Tricks:

- Use lighter eye shadows on the inner area of eye with eye shadow darkening as you spread out

- This enlarges the eye and creates an almond shape

- Use eye liner according to occasion. Since my look is in the day, I have chosen I think line hugging the edge, as opposed to a thicker line, or a cat-eye. That would be more suitable for an evening function.

- Mascara is my go-to product and so I always apply a generous amount to both the bottom and top eyelashes. Make sure to clean up any "dots" created by wet mascara with a makeup-remover-soaked earbud.

- Finish off the look by adding pigment glitter to inner eye to give eyes that added "pop" and spray with Skindinavia makeup spray and hold.

Contact Zandi:

Email: zandi.loots@gmail.com

Facebook: Zandi Loots Makeup Artist

Instagram: @zandi_loots_makeup_artist

bye for now

xx