Caoimhe Gaynor is a 1 Year Make-Up Specialist Course graduate who is now making a name for herself within the make-up industry. She has reviewed one of her favourite products exclusively for our LA Blog and she reveals her top make-up tips and secrets, that will help you achieve that perfect make-up look!

Have you ever wondered what the secret is behind  celebrities’ fantastically chiselled features and  fabulous bone structure? In most cases it isn’t perfect genetics but a very talented make-up artist.

As a make-up artist, contouring is crucial, and for most of us, is a secret weapon. It has the ability to completely transform the shape of your face and make your features ‘pop’. The best part about it all is that don’t need fancy equipment or expensive products. All you need is a bronzer and a blusher brush. It’s that simple.

Caoimhe’s favourite product to use at the moment is Illamsqua’s bronzer in “writhe”. I like this as it’s matt and carries more of a brown undertone as opposed to the abundance of orange toned bronzers that are tangoing the faces of Ireland at the moment! Illamaqua bronzer contains crushed pearl powder which gives the skin a flawless finish and a natural looking glow, this eliminates the possibility of making the face look dirty as so many bronzers have the ability to do.

The most effective way of contouring with this product is to use an angled blusher brush. It’s very simple.

Just take a small amount of bronzer and place it in the hollows of the cheek (work your way out from the ear towards the nose, this stops any build up and makes life a whole lot easier in terms of blending.)

Working your brush in a circular motion, blend the product upwards so you’re not left with a very apparent line on the face. Contouring should be as subtle and as natural as possible. This way, people will believe that you were born with an incredible set of cheek bones! The whole idea, and reason behind contouring, is to  create the ‘ideal’ face shape, that being oval. So depending on your face shape, you may feel the need to play around a bit and try applying bronzer to your jaw line, temples, nose, or forehead as well as the cheeks. Just remember,  dark shading detracts, so if there are any areas you feel you’d like to take the attention away from, contour, contour, contour!

For Caoimhe, the best thing about this product is that it can double up as an eye shadow and brow powder. Because of it’s unique colour tone, it is fantastic to use  in the socket in order to give the eye depth while still remaining quite natural. It is perfect for any day or subtle night time look.

Unfortunately, there  are no Illamasqua stores left in the republic of  Ireland since the store’s reluctant departure from Brown Thomas last year, BUT, fear not as it’s super easy to order online from the U.K (and a bit cheaper too!) This bronzer retails at £20, so even after converting to euros (approx. €24), it works out substantially cheaper than  similar bronzers on the market from  other leading brands. Check out their website at www.illamasqua.com.

Love,

Caoimhe @ LA

TOP TIP: In order to complete the ultimate contoured look, team this product with this amazing highlighter; MAC’s “Vanilla” pigment. Using a very small amount of highlighter above the shaded area can really create a contrast that will give you that glam, red carpet look in an instant. For just over €20, they’re a little more expensive, but one pigment pot will last you a long time so it is well worth the investment!

For more information about LA ITEC Honours Beauty Therapy Diploma please see http://www.lamakeupacademy.com/c-d-beauty-therapy-course-Dublin.php