Ciara Allen Shares Her Make-up Tips For 2017

Ciara Allen shares her make-up tips for updating your beauty uniform in 2017.

Beauty is such a wonderful thing because it’s always evolving. The most subtle change to your make-up can make a huge difference to how you look and feel, and most of the time you already have the products in your make-up bag to achieve it.

WHAT?S ONE QUICK, EFFECTIVE BEAUTY UPGRADE?

Applying concealer under the eye area makes a big difference to your overall look. A lot of women are great at applying their foundation, but overlook concealer, considering it an ?unnecessary? step. I recommend using a liquid concealer one or two shades lighter than your foundation, applied gently with your ring finger in a patting motion.

AND WHAT ABOUT BRINGING A FACE TO LIFE?

For me, colour is what really brings a make-up look together. I’m not talking electric blue mascara and hot pink lips (although, that would be fab). Instead, think blusher and bronzer. After applying foundation, your skin can look a bit flat, as all the natural tones have been dulled down. By adding some blusher and bronzer, it brings healthy colour back where it belongs.

AND LIPS?

We all love to splurge on an expensive lipstick, but if lips are in bad condition, that money has been completely wasted. Invest time and a bit of cash on a lip balm and scrub to soften and remove dry skin.

WHAT KEY TRENDS ARE COMING ALONG IN 2017 AND HOW CAN WE WEAR THEM IN REAL LIFE?

I think make-up is taking a simpler route in 2017. By this I mean it’s stripped back to look healthy and polished. Then, brows have gotten their wild streak back, and a pop of colour is always on the menu.

WHAT FASHION WEEK LOOKS IMPRESSED YOU THIS SEASON?

I loved the look Petros Petrohilos created for Paul Smith. It was effortlessly beautiful, with fresh, bright skin, messy brushed-up brows and a hint of pink on the eyes and cheeks. Lynsey Alexander did magnificent work for Kenzo that focused on a glossy red lip and a touch of pink at the outer corner of the eyes, blended out onto the temples (left). And for drama, Val Garland created a beautiful look for Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, which involved sticking dried flowers in beautiful designs on the models? faces and bodies. Each was different, and the overall effect reminded me of a Monet painting.

FOR A BIT OF DRAMA, WHAT NEW EFFECTS ARE EASY TO REPLICATE?

Definitely go for a brightly coloured lip. At the moment, I love the Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks, which are available in a wide range of shades and can be ordered online.

YOUR KIT BAG ESSENTIALS?

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm lightens and brightens your complexion and feels really nourishing on the skin; Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant to smooth and hydrate lips; Smashbox Brow Tech To Go is an angled brow pencil that is easy to apply, lasts all day, and also has a clear brow gel wand that unscrews at the bottom of the pencil to keep brows in place; Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide- On Eye Pencil in Perversion for its soft formula, true black shade, and long-lasting adhesion to the waterline. And I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette – the pigment in each shadow is really amazing and the palette is packed with warm-toned shades that suit everyone.

WHAT SHOULD OUR BEAUTY GOALS BE IN 2017?

Your overall health can be seen through your skin, eyes and the texture of your hair. By eating well, drinking lots of water and exercising regularly, you’ll visibly see the difference a change of lifestyle can bring. Also, remove make-up properly each night.

BACKSTAGE PHOTOGRAPH BY JASON LLOYD-EVANS. This article originally appeared in the February issue of IMAGE‘magazine.