A well-prepped base, foundation worked in layers and a lip liner: just in time for the start of the festive season, we asked celebrity and bridal makeup artist Robin of @CashMakeupArtistry to share ten pro tips for making your own makeup look polished to perfection. More below, plus the product recommendations.

01  FOCUS ON THE BASICS

Skin prep, the base and blending. A good base really starts before you even apply makeup. Your skin needs to be properly prepped so everything sits well. Don’t automatically use a lot of foundation. Use less and build it only where you actually need coverage. And finally, take your time to blend, especially around the nose, jawline, hairline and under-eyes. Good makeup is not about using more products. It’s about knowing where you actually need them.

02  WORK IN LAYERS

More powder doesn't mean that your makeup will last longer. I like to start with properly cleansed and hydrated skin, depending on the skin type. Then I work in thin layers — primer only where it’s needed, a lightweight foundation, targeted concealer and then strategic setting instead of powdering the whole face.Even when I’m doing makeup for a long wedding day, I still want the skin to look like skin. You want the makeup to last, but you don’t want it to look heavy or overly matte.

03  APPLY PRODUCT ONLY WHERE YOU ACTUALLY NEED IT

A professional doesn’t try to put the same amount of foundation everywhere. We look at the face and understand where we actually need coverage. I usually start with less product and build it only where I need it. Some areas might need more coverage, while other parts of the face can have a much thinner layer. Also, don’t just move the foundation around. Pressing and working it into the skin gives you a much more natural finish. And always check your base in natural light if you can. Your face, jawline and neck should all look like they belong together.

04  INVEST IN THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

I would invest in your base products first — foundation, concealer and something that helps you set the makeup properly. A good mascara and an eyeliner that doesn’t move

are also worth investing in.You can definitely save when it comes to things like eyeshadow. You don’t need ten different palettes. One good neutral palette can create so many looks if you know how to use it. I would rather have five good products that you actually understand and use than twenty products sitting in your makeup bag.

05  LOOK FOR PRODUCTS THAT ENHANCE THE SKIN

For complexion, Pat McGrath is definitely one of my favourites. I love the Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation because it’s very lightweight and you can build the coverage depending on what you need. Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation is another one I really like, and I also use the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation from Chanel, Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation from Armani and the Very Valentino Full Coverage Foundation from Valentino Beauty. In general, I’m always drawn to very liquid, lightweight formulas that are easy to blend and feel like skin. I don’t like putting a very heavy layer of foundation on someone. I prefer starting light and building it where I need more coverage.

Recently, while doing Tania Shroff’s makeup, she introduced me to the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, and I absolutely loved it. It’s so lightweight and gives that beautiful, fresh skin finish. For eyes, Pat McGrath is one of my favourites. I love the textures and the way you can create both a very soft eye and something more defined with it. For lips, I always carry a good range of browns, nudes, terracotta, rose and deeper berry tones. And for finishing, I always have a good setting spray in my kit, especially during wedding season. For me, the common factor across all these products is that I want the makeup to still look like skin. I want to enhance the person rather than make them look like they’re wearing a lot of makeup.

06  THIN, WELL-BLENDED LAYERS IS KEY

You have to remember that photography can pick up texture differently, so I don’t want to create a very heavy base just because there’s going to be a camera. I pay a lot of attention to areas like under the eyes, around the nose and the centre of the face because excess product can become very obvious in photographs. With flash, I’m also careful with products that can cause flashback, especially certain powders and very reflective products. I still love glow, but it should be placed strategically. I want the light to catch the high points of the face, not make the entire face look reflective.

07  BALANCE THE MAKEUP WITH THE OUTFITS

I always look at the whole picture — the outfit, jewellery, hair, makeup and, most importantly, the person. If the outfit is heavily embellished and there’s a lot of jewellery, I might keep the makeup more refined so everything doesn’t compete with each other. If the outfit is simpler, that’s when I might push the eyes, add a stronger lip or give the skin a little more glow. I don’t really believe in a fixed rule. I like one element to stand out and let everything else support it. That’s what makes the whole look feel balanced.

08 MAKEUP THAT IS PERSONAL AND INTENTIONAL IS THE WAY TO GO

I am seeing a lot of looks where the skin actually looks like skin: fresh, healthy and glowing, rather than extremely heavy or overly matte. I’m also seeing softer sculpting instead of very obvious contour, and a lot of warm browns, terracotta, muted rose and deeper tones. Monochromatic makeup is also really beautiful right now, where the eyes, cheeks and lips have a similar colour story. At the same time, I think people are becoming more experimental. We're seeing more smudged eyes, deeper lips and stronger looks, especially in fashion. So I don’t think it’s about minimal makeup versus glam anymore. It’s about making the makeup feel more personal and intentional.

09 BUILD THE LIPSTICK IN LAYERS TO ENSURE IT LASTS LONGER

Lip prep makes a huge difference. I like the lips to be smooth and hydrated before I start, but I don’t want a thick layer of balm sitting underneath the lipstick. For longevity, I usually define the lips with a liner, build the lipstick in thin layers and press the colour into the lips rather than applying one thick layer. For long events, I usually prefer long-wear or transfer- resistant formulas.

10 THE BEST PRO FIXES ARE USUALLY THE SIMPLEST

Stop adding more makeup. That is typically the first instinct and what makes things worse. If the base looks heavy, press it down with a damp sponge. If it looks flat, add a little blush to bring back color and dimension to the face. Clean up the brows, curl the lashes and add mascara. Define the lips properly. Finally, check yourself in natural light if you can. Sometimes the difference between looking almost ready and looking really polished is just cleaning up those little details.

Follow Robin at @CashMakeupArtistry.