When Celebrities Get it Right

So, imagine you’re a celebrity. Paparazzi on your tail…fans lurking behind every corner…all eyes on you all the time…

You’d want to look your best, even if you’re just popping out for a pint of milk, right?

So you make sure you’re trim, buy the coolest shades, and get yourself a killer wardrobe. And with the crates of money rolling in, the sky’s the limit.

But what about your makeup?

Surely, with the last pay cheque cleared for the blockbuster film you’ve just starred in, you can afford a pretty decent makeup artist. Some cosmetic wizard who will work wonders with those cheekbones, cover up those spots, and get you looking totally gorgeous for the next premier, or your trip to the corner shop…

Why, then, do so many celebrities get it wrong? Is it the fault of their makeup artists, or should the finger of blame be pointed squarely at them? Too much foundation, unnatural skin tones, blusher that should only be seen on a clown…I can’t bear to think about it!

But, thankfully there are some delightful divas out there who seem to get it right every time. Why? Because their makeup artists are fabulously good at what they do. They’re miracle workers, it’s as simple as that.

Who, then, deserves such magnificent makeup acclaim? The answer: two beautiful women who, if it weren’t for their shared ability to choose the right makeup artist, would otherwise be worlds apart…

Adele and Jennifer Lopez.

Let’s start with the lovely Welsh songbird, Adele. Just check out those magnificent cheekbones! And those huge, animated eyes!

Now, this girl is naturally beautiful, you just need to look at her bone structure to see that. But, her makeup does exactly what it’s supposed to do: it enhances her beauty. And which makeup wizard do we bow to? The wondrous Michael Ashton.

Adele has quite a round face, so Michael draws attention to her gorgeous cheekbones and also makes her eyes really stand out with bold colours and heavy lashes. He’s achieved both a dramatic and subtle look, which I think works really well on Adele, and shows how talented he really is.

And now for the sexy Spanish diva, Jennifer Lopez. Is there anybody else out there who glows quite so radiantly as this lovely lady?  Just see how her skin is highlighted in all the right places, making her look vibrant, healthy, and down-right gorgeous…

And who do we have to thank for this talented touch? The celebrity makeup artist extraordinaire, Scott Barnes.

Scott really takes advantage of Jennifer’s amazing skin, using warm bronze tones and sun-kissed highlights to make her glow. This look has been dubbed ‘monochromatic’, but I don’t think this description (which basically means ‘one colour’) does justice to the many shades of bronze he achieves.

One of his signature products is his Body Bling bronzer, which you can see is the star of the show where Jennifer is concerned. I just love it. And I think her pale lips suit her colouring down to the ground, creating a delicate and natural look.

So there you have it: my all-time favourite celebrity makeup artists. They’re both extremely talented, and totally inspirational.

But you’ve probably noticed that I have chosen two looks that are fairly similar in terms of subtlety…so perhaps in my next blog I should celebrate the more dramatic, daring look? After all, there’s always a time and a place for pillar box red lips and china doll skin…

See you next time!

Ruth O’Rourke

A Little Introduction...

This is an exciting moment: the very first post of my shiny new blog.

If you’re reading this, then chances are you share my passion for makeup. Who wouldn’t worship its diversity, and the infinite scope of possibilities it offers? Hand me my favourite products and a makeup brush, and the world’s my oyster.

Working on a Photoshoot for Achillea Marini, the custom-designed wedding dress company

So, how do I kick off? A little introduction of who I am, and what I am about, is a good place to start.

My name is Ruth O’Rourke, and I am a makeup artist. Simple as that. Photoshoots…weddings….even a bit of TV here and there…I do the lot, and love every minute.

When it comes to style I’m a bit of a chameleon; there’s no one ‘set’ look that I want to go for. That would be like an artist painting the same canvas over and over again. The beauty of makeup - and all art forms - is that it’s all about diversity. Each face is a blank canvas, and will suit its own individual style and colour tones.

But it’s not just the person I’m working on that influences the makeup I choose, it’s the occasion too. We all know that where some colour tones will look great for an all-night hen party, they may not go down too well at your parents’ silver wedding anniversary…

So, it’s about personal style and occasion. But it’s also about getting to know my client, even if it’s just for a few hours. I’m of the firm belief that my client’s personality should shine through their face, and this can only be achieved if I match the makeup I use to their unique character.

A friend of mine once told me about a wedding she went to. I asked her what the bride’s makeup was like, and she replied: “It was beautifully done, but it just didn’t look like her.” My point exactly. If you’re not careful, makeup can turn into a mask, so it’s important for the makeup artist to get the balance right between doing something unique and interesting for that person, without covering up their personality.

And when it comes to weddings, you want your groom to see the person he loves, not an unrecognisable Barbie doll.

One of my clients looking naturally beautiful, without piling the makeup on

So, I’ve told you a little bit about how I work, now let me give you an insight into what this blog promises to deliver: fun, informative, and interesting commentary on the makeup industry, and my place within it.

This is my platform for discussing everything to do with makeup: new products, new looks, top-tips, an occasional look at what the celebrities are doing, and news and photos of what I’m doing. Think of it as an all singing, all dancing guide to the industry…even the most insatiable appetites for makeup will be quenched. 

Now that I have introduced myself, my next posts will be coming to you regularly, so keep me on your radar…

Watch this space for a little look at the world of fame, where I will discuss the celebrities I admire for their flawless, fantastic makeup…Whose skin is consistently glowing? Who is getting the most out of their cheekbones? Whose dramatic look is always spot-on?

I’ll also be letting you in on my favourite makeup artists, all of whom possess a skill and panache that are a real inspiration to me. These amazing talents should be celebrated and admired, and I’m just the person to do it.

In the meantime, I wish you all good makeup days!

Ruth O’Rourke