It isn't every day that we makeup junkies get to meet THE man we call God. As we got behind the camera with makeup artist Elton Fernandez not only did we grill him on the obvious—look books for each occasion—but we also had him fess up about his absolute essentials! Cause let's face it, we wanted the tricks of the beauty trade from the creator himself.
Recreate the classic ‘I-woke-up-looking-like-this’ look with just the basics! Start with Maybelline New York’s BB Cushion that’s a super-blendable compact for delicate, satin-like iridescence. Or if you need more of a cover-up trade that in for this double-duty essential, M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation for all-matte, full coverage. Moving on, define your waterlines with Maybelline’s New York Colossal Kajal Super Black
Elton's tip:
Your daily long-lasting kajal will work just as well. Now, add a tad bit of drama with mascara, toy around with weightage to find the lash volume you're comfortable with. Next, play up that pout with a generous dose of sheer, translucent lip balm; and if a subtle tinge is what you need then Maybelline's Lip Smooth Color Bloom is all you need.
Elton's tip:
Use a gloss over thin lips to make them appear fuller. To finish blend a lip and cheek stain with bare fingertips, while aping Ariana Grande's sleek-yet-practical high pony to keep flyaways off your face!
Say after me, ‘Go Bold or Go Home’. The statement ‘girls-night-out’ look will only work if this broken record’s stuck on repeat. Simply put, when else will you be wild-vixen enough to brave outrageously long falsies or the gold glitter lip! To begin, enhance your facial structure by contouring as this adds a natural shadow. Becca’s Lowlight/Highlight Perfecting Palette Poured is a perfectly-paired cream duo that highlights the face for a gorgeously-sculpted look.
Elton's tip:
If a full-fledged contouring kit is out of reach, use a buildable bronzer to create dimension. Next, dab a little shimmery shadow to the inner or outer corner on your eyelids to make eyes pop much more and exaggerate your lashes with shocking volume. Yves Saint Laurent's Shocking Mascara creamy formula is just what you need for a lustrous fringe! Other options Elton swears by are L.A. Girl Booming Lash Mascara and Maybelline's Volum' Express the Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara. End the look on a high note as you swipe on some gloss before you walk out the door! Keep the updo fairly simple with lightly tousled and tonged waves.
Elton's tip:
Always blow dry hair to remove frizz before styling it, even if you have natural curls.
When you’re working your way up to the top there’s nothing more empowering than confidence! To dine with corporate devils, you’ll need a little more than the usual; dress-to-impress. Take your self-esteem up notches with colour correcting concealers after you’ve perfected your base. Green to combat redness, pink to brighten your complexion, purple, yellow and orange to neutralize yellow, purple, and blue tones respectively. Fill in your brows to create dark, power brows that define your face shape and flirt a little with Brigitte Bardot inspired soft-winged liner eyes. Couple the look with a deep burgundy mouth, or if that’s a bit too much go softer and more feminine with a nudish petal pink. Apply oodles of Maybelline New York’s Lash Sensational Mascara Washable Blackfor a full-fan effect and tie your hair up in the classic chignon bun to scream – understated elegance!
Elton's tip:
An orange undertone looks too loud on Indian skin tone so choose a lipstick with blue as your base, always.
Elton's tip:
To keep frays away from the nape of your neck use a hair net especially if you have a layered cut.
The fresh-faced, low-key makeup look was oh-so-in in 2016 but come 2017 and it’s been taken to all new shimmery heights. For a dewy look, skin perfection is an absolute must. Elton’s Tip: Add a drop or two of your go-to moisturizer to foundation, this creates a flawless canvas to begin with. Apply a thin layer of foundation and conceal problematic areas with L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD. Don’t let the sheer number of shades drive you insane, instead, follow Elton’s colour-correcting palette shared above.
Following the no-make complexion, use the most-muted pink lip and cheek stain so the colour isn't overwhelming. Keep your eyes clean with a precise line of black liquid liner, a dash of mascara and exquisitely groomed brows (a good gel would be in order here). Dust highlighter on the natural high points of your face such as above the cheekbone, along the brow bone and down the centre of your nose to give the impression of a rounded surface. As a finishing touch, dab a little bit onto your cupid's bow too. Lastly line your lips with the most potent lip balm colour you can lay your hands on.
Elton's tip:
While most makeup artists usually apply lipstick, a balm is easier to carry off as you wouldn’t want feathering, bleeding, or red teeth! As for your hair go slick-n-straight since it reflects light the best.
For a casual Sunday brunch think pinks, whites, pastels, peonies, and orchids. It’s the one-time a week when Audrey Hepburn meets Alice in Wonderland! To ace this sweet, girl-next door, doe-eyed look follow all the above date night look steps barring the last. Up the ante as you switch up the persuasive lip balm for a more full-textured colourful lip. The slightly-scented NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream sets to a stunning matte finish while Maybelline’s Color Sensational Velvet Matte Lipstick buttery, cushion-like formula is second to none. Go vintage with the hair as you dress it in a poufy top knot, an easy-to-do fishtail braid or even an old-school head scarf and throw on gold-rimmed cat-eyes and you’re good to go.
Quoting Elton, ‘Makeup is an extension of your personality and wardrobe. There’s NO rule book, just be sensitive to the occasion and your profession’.
