Forget six degrees of separation – thanks to makeup artist Hannah Martin I am a mere two degrees away from the royal family.
While I can’t disclose all her clients (I don’t want to lose my claim to fame), Princess Eugenie herself shared that it was Hannah who did her makeup for her wedding day back in 2018.
Four years later, that image of Eugenie with fresh glowing skin, rosy cheeks and gently groomed brows has stayed firmly in my mind. How did she look so radiant without any tell-tale highlighter? How did her complexion look so even yet her beautiful freckles still showed through?
Thankfully I got to ask Hannah all these questions when she co-hosted a Zoom launch with fellow makeup artist and Sculpted by Aimee founder, Aimee Connolly.
The ‘no makeup, makeup’ look has exploded in recent months thanks to TikTok’s ‘clean girl aesthetic’. However, from what I’ve found, those high gloss textures don’t last on the skin and when you add powder to try and prolong them, things immediately get textured.
“The key is lots of light gentle layers,” explained Hannah as I quickly began filling up the Zoom chat box with my desperate cries for help.
Hannah’s first ‘gentle layer’ is one I would never have thought of, but before her main foundation, she applies a sheer, light coverage, illuminating one.
“I see people using a lot of strong illuminators under makeup, but it’s quite easy to go wrong. This way you’re adding a very natural glow that doesn’t look artificial or add any texture,” she says.
You want to be looking for a base that has the kind of coverage of a skin tint; Hannah’s favourites include the Sculpted by Aimee Tint & Glow Enhancer, £23, Boots, and MAC’s Studio Radiance Face & Body Foundation, £27, John Lewis.
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
From there, you can either go in with your favourite foundation if you want slightly more coverage and a longer-lasting base, or pinpoint conceal areas that you feel need it.
Now that’s all well and good for some, but a fun fact about me is that I’m a sweater. If I’m hot, my forehead won’t keep it a secret. Which is unfortunate because it means I need to use more powder and therefore lose that fresh face, Princess Eugenie style.
As I overshared this information with Hannah, she gave me not one, but two tips that have quite literally transformed my makeup routine.
“If your base is in any way wet or tacky, you will get texture when you apply your powder,” she began.
But how do you not apply powder to a tacky base? I’m very much a ‘glowy’ foundation kind of girl, so my base is never matte pre-setting.
“Blotting paper,” says Hannah. “Blot first and then apply a fine dusting of powder to your hot spots”. For those unfamiliar with the term, this refers to the areas you get oily the most (usually the t-zone and chin, but the entire forehead for me).
Turns out I could be doing way more with that mini pink pack of papers I whip out on the train when Southern rail refuses to acknowledge they have an air conditioning system.
It’s been a few days now and I can attest to Hannah’s methods really working. While applying an extra base feels like an additional step, it’s actually not, because I find I don’t need highlighter as I have the glow I want coming through from my skin already.
And the blotting paper, well that’s just revolutionary and again ultimately means I’m applying less product because I don’t need as much powder to mattify my hot spots.
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
All I add on top is a cream blush for that royal flush and a few faux freckles because Eugenie, I am beyond envious of your mini pigment spots.
Oh, and as well as highlighter, I’ve also been skipping bronzer because I love how fresh Hannah’s method makes me look and let’s be honest, the less makeup the better in this heat.
So, thank you Hannah and if you ever need a plus one to the palace, you know where I am.
;
