CONFESSIONS OF A MAKEUP ARTIST: EMILY CLARKSON
You might have spotted her having an absolute ball on set with actress, Michelle Keegan, but did you know she was the talented artist behind Charlotte Crosby’s makeup on the cover of her book, ‘Brand New Me’?
We got in touch with Emily Clarkson to find out which celebrities makeup she’d love to do and why her job is so much more than just doing makeup.
How long have you been a makeup artist and how did you get your start in the industry?
I’ve been a makeup artist for just over 7 years now. I actually trained with my sister who’s a hairdresser, she wanted to go and see a new makeup school that had opened in Manchester so I went with her for some company, next thing you know I’ve signed up to a makeup course with her!
I hated doing any natural makeup at first, I just wanted to paint everyone’s face full of glitter and do crazy makeup!
Who are some of the people that have inspired you throughout your career?
Oh gosh, SO many people inspire me! I learnt everything I know by assisting Cassie Lomas, I was so fortunate to assist her and watch her at work, it really gave me the best introduction possible coming into the fashion industry.
Cassie taught me that this job is so much more than doing great makeup, it’s about going above and beyond for everyone you work with.
What do you love most about makeup?
My favourite thing about makeup is the confidence it can give someone. I love that I can help contribute to someone feeling great about themselves – that’s definitely the best part of the job!
If you weren’t a makeup artist, what would you be doing?
What a good question! After watching ‘The Wedding Planner’ with Jennifer Lopez when I was younger, I. made so many books with different flower arrangements and bridal dresses in!
I also did textiles for my A levels, I was terrible at making things but I loved designing and ideas so it would definitely still be something creative.
Which products do you think should be a staple in everyone’s makeup bag?
I think the staple products everyone needs in their makeup bag are; a good brow products, a radiance cream for under foundation to look super glowy and of course, a red lip!
Those three things are so simple and can change your mood completely.
If you could give any celebrity a makeover who would it be?
There is a list of celebrities I’d LOVE to work with, the top of that list is Margot Robbie… she’s absolutely beautiful!
What has been your craziest moment on the job?
There has been so many ‘pinch me’ moments in this job. The one that firstly springs to mind was being able to do London Fashion Week about 2 months after I’d trained to be a makeup artist.
It was the most nerve racking makeup I’ve ever done! So many photographers were taking photos backstage whilst I was trying to do a perfect bright pink lip, acting like I wasn’t having a mild panic attack inside!
The backstage photo of my model from that show was used by Bourjois online everywhere, I even have it framed in my house!
What is the most important beauty advice you could give to someone?
The most important beauty advice I could give is definitely to invest in good skincare, drink lots of water and get a good night’s sleep!
Those three things are the foundation of looking and feeling good, then the makeup will look flawless.
What is your favourite CODE Beautiful product?
At the moment it has to be the 3 in 1 lip liner! It’s such a beautiful shade and really long lasting. I’m obsessed! 😍
HOW TO ACHIEVE THE NO MAKEUP MAKEUP LOOK
We’ve already accepted the fact that celebrities seem to possess this unknown gene that allows them to be ridiculously perfect without even trying. But what about the rest of us that don’t wake up naturally with wide awake eyes and flushed cheeks that could rival a newborn baby?
We would be lying if we said we didn’t want to wake up looking like Beyoncé, but the reality is, most mornings we’ve got eyebags the size of small countries and hair that requires an army to style!
If you’re searching for a makeup look that is less ‘full on glam’ and more ‘a dab will do ya’, then the no makeup makeup look is exactly what you need to get you looking a bit chirpier in the mornings and get you out the door quickly.
#STARTFRESH
Wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser, then use a toner and finish off with your favourite day moisturiser. Don’t forget, if your skin looks good, your makeup will always look better.
#PRIME
A good primer, especially with a slight tint, will blur out blemishes and keep your makeup in place all day.
#CONCEALANDCORRECT
Apply concealer to any blemishes or redness and in a triangle underneath your eyes. Use your fingers to pat it all in and you’ll instantly have a great base for your natural makeup look.
#GETCHEEKY
For your cheeks, apply a pink toned blusher across where you would normally be flushed. Don’t forget to blend it in until you have a very subtly colour.
#OPENYOUREYES
A little mascara can help anyone look a little more awake and ready to take on the day. We recommend using CODE VLM, one or two coats will be perfect and you can always top it up later on in the day if you have evening plans, and it won’t go clumpy!
#PERFECTPOUT
When it comes to your lips, do whatever the hell you want! We love using CODE LIP as you can’t beat the way it makes thin, pale lips, plump and pink instantly. But if you can’t leave the house without your red lipstick, or are partial to a tinted balm, you go for it!
Don’t forget to fake it till you make it; we don’t all have the luxury of unlimited beauty sleep!
TOP 3 MAJOR MULTI-TASKING BEAUTY HEROES
When you’re rushing from one place to another and constantly having to switch bags, it’s impossible to keep track of all your beauty necessities.
There is a pretty easy way to get around this and it’s all about embracing multi-purpose, all-in-one beauty products.
We’ve rounded up our top 3 multi-tasking heroes which are perfect for anyone looking to save some time in the morning or just starting off their makeup collection.
- CODE BEAUTIFUL 3 IN 1 SOFT SMOOTH LIP LINER
Lip liners often get a bad rep, mostly because people immediately think of the awful overdrawn lips of the 90s, but times have changed! Still think lip liners are unnecessary? You are so wrong! This 3 in 1makeup bag essential instantly transforms your lips, amping up your lip game to a whole new level.
CODE SSL is made from a super creamy formula, meaning that it just glides on to your lips, making it the perfect lip liner and lipstick all in one. By filling your lips in with the product, it makes the most of the ingredients and stimulates collagen which instantly gives volume to your lips; therefore, acting as a lip plumper as well.
- CHANEL STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF BROWN EYELINER
Brown eyeliner/eyeshadow is arguably the king of multitasking and for us the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof is a makeup must have.
Brown eyeliner can be used to add definition to your eyebrows, smudged into the corners of your eyes to creative a smoky eye or even under your eyes and either size of your nose to contour! Oh and of course it works great as a natural eyeliner too.
Extra bonus? This long-lasting eyeliner is also water-resistant. 👏
- IT COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER CC+ CREAM WITH SPF 50+
If we had to live by one motto it would be that healthy skin is ALWAYS in! This little tube of joy not only offers great coverage but also hydrates the skin and provides SPF 50+ protection.
This product truly is an all in one for your face and will get you ready for your day by hydrating your skin, hiding any unwanted blemishes and finishing you off with one hell of a glow!
Long gone are the days when single purpose space wasters were acceptable. If you’re not pulling your weight, you’re out of here! (Foundation we bought in the wrong shade 6 months ago, we’re looking at you)
CODE GIRL: Charity Grace LeBlanc
We wanted to give you an insight into the ladies inspiring us at the moment, each month we'll be picking a CODE Girl who's killing it in her own unique way.
This month we're loving fitness enthusiast and mother of two, Charity Grace LeBlanc.
She’s been given the name ‘spider-mom’ and has found a unique balance that has enabled her to work on herself, stay fit and play with her kids all at the same time.
If that isn’t enough of a reason to love her, keep reading to see why we can’t get enough of her.
1. Her time management skills are second to none
I think we can all agree that fitting in a workout when you’re a full-time mum to two small children isn’t the easiest of things! Charity figured out a brilliant way to get the best of both worlds and has turned acrobatic yoga into playtime with her kids. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t even a little bit jealous of their skills!
2. She always looks fabulous
Working out every day is definitely one way to stay looking great, but on top of this, Charity is also a make-up artist! You can check out some of her most popular looks on her YouTube channel.
3. She knows what she’s talking about
“I wish for them to take good care of their body too, a healthy body creates a healthy mind, confidence and just overall happiness!” – Charity LeBlanc on why she encourages her children to workout with her.
Is it time to replace your mascara?
Hands up, how long have you hung on to your favourite mascara? And what about that lipstick, the one you’ve been meaning to chuck out since 1999? We all have that one product that we’ve had for years (or a couple… guilty).
TURNS OUT BIG GIRLS DO CRY...and they look fierce doing it! Here's how:
You’re stuck in traffic on the motorway and Adele comes on the radio. Your best friend is walking down the aisle to Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. You’ve stepped on a piece of lego the children have left out, or you simply saw two cute old people holding hands.
Cue the tears; flowing down your face uncontrollably and bringing your make up along for the bumpy ride. It’s happened. I think this is what they call full blown, ugly crying.
No matter how hard-core you fancy yourself, crying is inevitable and when you’re feeling all those feels, it’s better to just embrace it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good while doing it!
If you really want a mascara that’s not going to let you down in those emotional moments, stick to CODE’s Volumising Lengthening Mascara; its officially tear proof. Unlike most mascaras, CODE VLM features a unique blend of ingredients with build on build capability that will take you from your day to night look without having to remove your mascara and start again, just layer up till you create the perfect look for you.
It contains conditioning oils, vitamins and waxes to encourage lash growth and protect lashes with a sealing agent to keep them in place and lifted all day long.
The formula isn’t our mascara’s only secret weapon though, the brush also features different size bristles which are spaced out to get in between each and every lash to distribute the product where you need it most. No wonder it’s being called the miracle mascara.
You can’t predict the number of upsetting things that may happen to you in any one day, or how many of these may lead to potential meltdowns. However you can stock up on makeup that’ll be there for you when your tear ducts just aren’t quite cutting it.
Left your CODE VLM at home? Spray vigorously with the nearest face mist you can find and say you’re going for the dewy look. A really, really dewy look.
