Want to give your clients that Summer glow? Napoleon Perdis shows us how…
So Winter is winding to a much-anticipated close (BRING ON not having to wear 7,362 layers to leave the house) and clients have begun the annual flood into your salon, demanding you make their pasty-white, wind-burned complexions look human again.
And while it might seem like an impossible task to some, beauty professionals know that with a few expert tricks, in less than an hour, your client can go from looking like they’re at a casting call for the next Twilight movie to appearing as though they’ve emerged from the Bahamas – no actual sunlight required.
And one of the best ways to fake that Summer glow is with a bronzed makeup look, so we got makeup maestro Napoleon Perdis to show us how it’s done, in just a few simple steps…
Step 1: Prep and prime
To get that dewy just-emerged-from-the-ocean look, apply a moisturising serum to clean skin. Allow a few minutes to fully absorb into the skin, then finish off with a primer to smooth over any fine lines or large pores, creating a flawless canvas for makeup application.
Step 2: Get structured
Structure the face by first grooming the brows, which will set the tone for this look. Pluck any stray hairs, sweep over brows with a brow brush or comb and finish by defining with an eyebrow pencil, to create structure and fill in any gaps.
Step 3: Highlight it
To contour a client for Summer, ditch the dark concealer and use an illuminating highlighter cream or stick blended over the high points of the face, including the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow and brow bone.
Step 4: Complexion perfection
Use a tinted moisturiser all over the face, buffing into the skin with a stipple brush for a seamless finish. To avoid a heavy look, simply apply a second layer over blemishes and under-eye circles in place of regular concealer, gently patting into the skin to blend away the edges. Finish with a matte bronzer swept on with a large, fluffy brush, concentrating on the perimeter of the face and cheekbones in particular, to add dimension.
Step 5: Get gilded
To finish off the look, apply an eyeshadow with a golden metallic sheen to lids, framing with a couple of coats of a volumising mascara, then add a simple slick of gloss in a natural pigment to complement your client’s pout – and, voila! A Bahama-worthy Summer glow.
Have your say: What’s your fave trick for faking a Summer glow in seconds?