Australian makeup artist Sarah Laidlaw share her top makeup looks.
Tell us your favourite go to glam look.
“On myself – I love a lash, foundation, defined brow and a cream blush. On my clients – it’s all about polished skin, defined features and pretty eyes.”
Your favourite part of being a makeup artist?
“I feel so lucky that I get to play dress- up with lovely people as my job. It’s just such a fun thing to do. No matter whether it’s on a model for a shoot or a client going to an event, it’s essentially fun play time. I really love being part of creating beautiful fashion images… those big, mad editorial images are my favourite. But probably the best thing is being able to alter someone’s view of themselves. Seeing them look in the mirror and really love how they look (sometimes for the first time in their lives) can actually change how they move through the world.”
You can pack three makeup items into your makeup bag what are they?
“I think number one would have to be concealer. It’s one of the most helpful products when you’re not doing anything else on the face. It’ll screen out dark circles, blemishes and uneven tone – and it can be used as a foundation when applied in a sheer layer. Number two is definitely mascara, because thicker, darker lashes make the eyes prettier instantly. (and can even be used as a makeshift eyeliner when smudged along the lash line with a small brush). Number three – a pinky/peachy toned cream-based product that could be used as blush, lip colour and eyeshadow.”
Your favourite beauty treat to yourself?
“I don’t really treat myself, as such. Or maybe I’m always treating myself so it just feels like my routine now. Haha! I have sensitive reactive skin, so having the skincare products that really work for me feels like a treat, so I think I’m in a constant state of epic treat-ness!”
Best cult beauty classic in your kit?
“Embryolisse lait-crème concentré moisturiser. It’s been a staple backstage at International runways for decades.”
Favourite makeup shoot?
“My favourites are always the slightly abstract but incredibly beautiful images. Familiar colours or shapes placed off center, oversized, or unexpected angles/ tones and textures. Think classic beauty pages from Vogue and Harpers… stunning models with mostly unwearable makeup that is an art piece in itself. That’s my favourite type of makeup shoot to be part of for sure.”
If you weren’t a makeup artist what would we find you doing?
“This is a hard one as I really don’t know. After 33 years in the industry, I still love my job. If I’d never fallen in love with makeup, you’d probably find me owning my own hairdressing salon. But if we’re talking dreams… like the ‘you just won $30 Million’ type dreams – then I’d have a huge studio space and spend my days making random art (when I wasn’t travelling absolutely everywhere on the planet!). I love working with my hands and I’m essentially a dilettante, so I’d learn how to do a bit of everything from metalwork to carpentry to sculpture… and my house would probably end up looking like a movie set.”
Sarah Laidlaw shares her 2024 makeup trend update:
Brows
“There’s a lot of movement towards a slimline brow, but it’s not the over plucked line of the 90’s. I’m all for making the best of your natural brow by creating a softer flattering frame for the face and dropping
the laminated extra-defined look. If you have full brows that suit you, go for a softly brushed up look. If you want to lean into a slender brow, try brushing them slimmer before reaching for the tweezers. The trend cycle isn’t as universal as it used to be, with diversity taking the wheel – so choose a brow style that suits your features and won’t leave you high and dry when the trend sands shift again.”
Foundation
“It’s ‘Your skin, only better’ is the objective this season and I’m loving the effortless elegance of minimalist, glowing skin. The ‘foundation’ step before foundation is always skincare. Once your skincare regime is
en pointe, look for luminous foundations that give you a dewy, perfected, undetectable finish. Think see-through expensive looking textures. There’s a huge lean toward skin tints that blend seamlessly, products with added skincare benefits, and above all – the perfect match for your skin tone. The rise of AI technology is set to change the foundation matching game forever.”
Lips
“Lips are either a sheer natural or a striking colour, and nothing in between. Think glossy and healthy – plump, hydrated with a sheer pinky nude… or go for dramatic and bold in sharp fire engine red or super dark tones. Solid black lips made appearances on many a runway this season, and wearing them with otherwise minimal makeup can be a high fashion win. Ombré lips are a flattering option and can be worn dramatic and striking or subtle and flattering. Try it with a neutral lipliner and gloss for an everyday version, or full-opacity matte ombré lip glam for a high octane beauty moment.”
Eyes
“The persistent lean into minimal makeup that has been here for ages doesn’t mean vibrant colours are out. Colour play is definitely a thing when it comes to eyes, and a single pop of colour is all you need
to make an impact. Topping off a barely there base with a wash of colour across the lid in aquamarine, periwinkle, lilac or frosty metallics will give you instant street cred; or a bold geometric liner with sharp
angles, solid block lines or negative space in a strong colour can be the perfect way to get those eyes popping.”
This story originally appeared in the Winter 2024 print issue of Professional Beauty.
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