Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Summer is hands down my favourite time of the year. It’s when my gladiator sandals and sneakers come out to play alongside flouncy dresses and rompers to create a bohemian beach-like vibe as though I was off on holiday soaking up the sun in Thailand or Cyprus.
And while my summer wardrobe is on point, there is something I desperately lack in the beauty department and that is properly putting on my face. By face, I mean makeup.
I have noted a few times to my girlfriends that I am makeup illiterate. My brush is sadly my finger and instead of lipstick, I tend to use gloss. I even rarely use blush anymore as my cheeks end up going naturally red with heat rage.
What is a woman to do when she wants to look glam but is worried that all the makeup she put on will melt off her face as soon as she steps out the door? Talk about Bahrain heat wave.
Make-up artist Christina McBarron has the tips and tricks needed to keep ladies like myself feeling fresh and looking fly all summer long.
• Seal, set and go
The biggest makeup complaint I get from women in Bahrain is that it does not last in the heat and humidity. I highly recommend using a lighter foundation but still with high coverage and sealing it with pressed powder to stop the shine and oil coming through. Using a primer and a setting spray is also a must in this weather.
• Build a better routine
Caring for your skin is so important and I always say you can’t have fabulous makeup without fabulous skin. Before your makeup, always apply the following in this order – serum moisturiser and SPF no lower than 50. After you have worn your makeup throughout the day, remember to remove it fully. Makeup can get trapped in pores and cause clogging and breakouts. One of my favourite items for cleaning my skin is the Foreo. Using a clay mask will also pull any remaining makeup or trapped sebum from the pores.
• What’s hot?
The most trending makeup at the moment is glowing summer skin. It is about enhancing your natural beauty rather than masking it with layers of makeup. We have pulled away from the heavy brow and heavy contouring and steering towards more natural makeup. So think highlighted cheekbones flawless natural skin and glossy lips. Eye shadows can have a subtle hint of warmth and cheeks can have a rosy glow.
About Christina:
The talented freelancer is originally from a small town called Donegal in North West Ireland. She started working her makeup magic in London when she was 21 in Selfridges Yves Saint Lauren (YSL) counter where she received the best training from some of the world’s top makeup artists including Fred Letailleur. He was, at the time, YSL’s global makeup artist. After three years, she then moved to Tom Ford in Harrods where she encountered monthly training sessions and seminars to learn about the latest and greatest makeup trends within the industry.
She worked backstage at Tom Ford’s catwalk fashion week shows and on many models. She then started working with Illamasqua’s artistic makeup brand where she learned to be fast and execute her makeup within an hour.
Although she believes her true training came from life experiences. She said: “It’s meeting with every nationality, ethnicity and skin colour and knowing what to do. There’s only so much you can learn during training sessions. Skills such as listening to what the client wants and having to work fast under pressure can’t be taught. These skills are achieved after having years of experience.
“One of the reasons I got into makeup was because I love the confidence it can give me and my clients. Makeup has the ability to transform not only your appearance but also your mood. I love to see women feeling strong and confident and when I put on a ladies makeup, I can help her achieve that feeling. To me, that’s a massive bonus of my job. I don’t believe every woman should wear makeup as it’s a personal choice but every now and again, it’s nice to feel a little special and try something new. As someone who struggles with anxiety, my next step, coming to Bahrain to be a freelance makeup artist was daunting but I knew I had the talent training and will power I just needed the belief in myself.
“Often as women we can speak negatively to ourselves and let fear keep us from pursuing or dreams but life is too short and as my mother once told me that nothing ventured is nothing gained.”
Aside from applying makeup for any occasion, she also provides lessons for women that would like to do their own… hmmm maybe I should book a class!
To find out more, follow her @cmbbahrainmua on Instagram.
