Jemma Grace

I am a professional makeup and nails artist based in London. I have worked as a first assistant and as a high profile makeup artist on a variety of photo shoots and catwalks for clients including Elle and GQ, and with famed photographers such as Nick Knight and Rankin.

I now work freelance for myself across a range of areas including fashion editorial and advertising. I recently won first prize in the professional category of the Illamasqua Distinction in Makeup Artistry Awards 2014 and have been lucky enough to have my work published in Schon Magazine and Hunger TV among many others.

Prep:

My skin regime is important to me as I have typical combination skin, so I need to do my best to keep it moisturised yet free from breakouts. I make sure I always take off my make up before bed and for this I use Bioderma Sensitive Cleanser. I discovered this product whilst working backstage on numerous catwalks. It is a really light liquid that is gentle on my sensitive skin yet effective in cleaning away dirt and makeup from the day.

For a moisturiser I have recently started using La Roche-posay Effaclar M Daily Mattifying Moisturizer (not pictured as I have just run out) but I love it! It’s an oil-free gel moisturiser that gives my skin a lovely matte finish. I apply this after cleansing, and also dab Bobbi Browns Hydrating Eye Cream under my eyes which I leave to sink in and replenish my skin overnight.

In the mornings I splash my face with cold water to wake myself up and then use the same La-Roche-Posay Moisturiser again all over my face (except the eye area and lips) and let it soak in. If I need some extra oomph after a late night, I use MAC’s Fast Response Eye Cream under my eyes, to help de-puff and erase the look of my dark circles. For moisturised lips I use Blistex Relief Cream, it really is the best product I have ever found for keeping lips hydrated but not oily or sticky. I always let my products sink in so they don’t create a barrier, so I normally go and do something like make breakfast before applying my makeup.

Then the fun begins!

Base:

To start my makeup routine I use a primer, lots of people don’t, but I find it helps me smooth out my un-even skin texture and helps my makeup last all day. My favourite is Smash Box Photo Finish Oil-Free Primer which I apply with a foundation brush all over my face whilst avoiding the eye area. Then using the same brush, I apply MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation (which is a light foundation but still gives me great coverage). With Shea Butter, VIT E and SPF15 included, it’s nice to know my skin is getting adequate sun protection. I love this foundation as it leaves my skin hydrated with a beautiful natural satin finish. For concealers, I use Bobbi Brown’s Face Touch Up Stick in Beige 3 for any blemishes, and his Creamy Concealer Kit in Sand for my under eye dark circles.

Eyes:

At the moment on my eyes I use MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow: Smokeluxe. It’s a great mini eye palette as it is small enough to keep in your handbag all day. It offers five shades so you can easily take your eyeshadow from natural to smokey throughout the day into the evening, which is what I favour most days. For a universally flattering look, try and focus the lighter/highlighting colours on the inner corners of your eyes and use the darker shades around your lashes or blend out around your outer crease.

I use MAC Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack to line along the top of my eyelid. It’s great, as it is smooth to apply and you can get it really close to the lash line using a small eyeliner brush to give you thicker looking lashes. Again this product is a staple you will see in all makeup artists kits because of its deep black colour and once it’s applied, it won’t budge!

I curl my eyelashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers. I always recommend to curl your eyelashes as it helps to give you a bright, wide awake look. Then I apply MAC’s Haute & Naughty Mascara in Black on my top and lower lashes, concentrating especially on the outer corners to give the impression of wider eyes.

For my eyebrows I use my trusted MAC Self-Sharpening Brow Pencil in Lingering. It’s so easy to create soft, natural looking lines with the pen-like tip, so I can easily add definition and shape to my eyebrows. I also make sure I brush through afterwards with a brow brush to make sure my brows look natural and don’t have any stand out lines!

Cheeks/lips:

My new favourite brand RMSbeauty lip2cheek is my product of choice for cheeks and lips! They do a great mineral product in a range of colours which can be used on both lips and cheeks so it’s a great space saver. My personal favourite for winter is Illusive which is a soft berry colour. I also love their RMSbeauty Living Luminizer for any highlights I want to add along my cheekbones or brow arch.

Body:

I absolutely love PRTTY Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion, it has light reflecting particles in a natural emollient so it gives my skin a gorgeous, hydrated glow, especially good for summer or nights out. Another added benefit is it has a blend of natural plant extracts which help firm, lift and tighten skin to diminish the appearance of cellulite so it’s an all-around winner, but especially on legs!

www.jemmagrace.com

Inside Jemma’s Makeup Bag:

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