When it comes to beauty, beauty director Sophie Beresiner is a woman who knows her stuff . And thanks to a job that sees her mingling with make-up artists and sampling new products on a daily basis, it's safe to say she's got her regular beauty routine down to a T.
Here, Sophie talks us through the three make-up looks that define her week, from Monday morning to Sunday brunch.
1. The office look
If there's one thing that instantly makes me feel polished, professional and put together, it's a bold lip - and that's why it's my signature work look. A sweep of bright red lipstick (here, I've gone for bareMinerals Statement Luxe Shine Lipstick in srsly red), while keeping the rest of my face simple, means I can show a little bit of personality without having to spend ages in the mirror. Perfect for me, as it means a slightly longer sleep!
Office air-conditioning is not a natural environment for anyone's skin, so I like to let mine breathe while I'm at work. I tend to steer clear of heavy foundations that might block my pores and have always relied on mineral foundations instead. A breathable formula means I get the coverage I'm after without my base feeling too heavy - today I'm using the new bareMinerals BAREPRO liquid foundation. It also lets my natural skin texture show through, which is a must for me because I like a realistic finish.
Since the focus is very much on my lip, I'll finish off with a bit of subtle contouring using NARS bronzer in Luster and Glossier Haloscope highlighter to give my face some dimension. I also love a defining liquid eyeliner to go with a red lip, so I'll sweep a very fine line across the tops of my lids to stop my face from feeling too bottom-heavy, finishing off with a couple of coats of mascara – I can't do without it.
TOP TIP: To create the perfect red lip, outline and fill the lips first with a lip liner that matches your lipstick of choice, rather than your lip colour. Blot, then apply two layers of lipstick over the top (straight from the bullet), blotting in between. Et voilà - a statement pout that lasts all day.
2. The evening look
If I'm going out straight from work, I won't bother re-doing my base. Instead, I'll dust a light coat of powder - like bareMinerals Matte Foundation SPF 15 - over my T-zone to eliminate any shine before working on the rest of my make-up. If I want to make a big statement with minimum effort, I'll go for a smokey eye. It's my go-to evening look as it's super quick and it works for pretty much any occasion, whether I'm off to a smart press event or a casual dinner with friends.
I'm all about easy shortcuts, which is why I love multi-taskers like Topshop's Smoke Stick in Dark Horse. It's completely foolproof when it comes to creating smokey, smudgy lids, and it's so much easier and more effective than layering lots of different coloured eyeshadows on top of each other. To add definition, I'll then use NARS Kohliner in Zinc on my waterline before finishing with a few coats of mascara.
With so much focus on my eyes, I'll usually keep my lips completely natural (bar a bit of balm for sheen). To wake up my complexion, I'll finish by swirling a bit of coral blush on my cheeks for a subtle hit of healthy colour.
TOP TIP: For a cool, effortless-looking smokey eye that can be done in minutes, scribble a thick eyeshadow crayon around your top and bottom lash lines (the messier the better) and buff it out with a brush. If it needs a bit more definition, add a bit more into the lash line and blend. Consider a brown smokey eye over a black - it tends to be more flattering.
3. The brunch look
If it's the weekend, I'm probably pretty tired from my working week or possibly even hungover (!), which means a great concealer is needed. I'll start by dabbing a little bit under my eyes and around my nose crease to remove any redness. The weekend calls for fresh, glowy skin, so I'll apply a light layer of foundation before setting my base with a finishing powder like bareMinerals Mineral Veil, which takes the shine out of my T-zone without making my skin look too matte.
Brunch is usually a pretty low-key event, so I don't want my make-up to look too 'done' - enter, the glossy eyelid. It's my secret weapon when I want to add a vit of edge without going overboard. After running my 3ina Eye Gloss along the tops of my lids, I'll then add mascara for a bit of contrast - my current favourite is Louboutin's Les Yeux Noirs Lash Amplifying Lacquer (the formula is as amazing as the packaging). Using the tip of the brush, I'll swipe onto my lower lashes to open up my eyes before dabbing a little bit of neutral lipstick onto the centre of my lips with my finger to brighten up my complexion. Today's chosen shade: bareMinerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick in Crave.
TOP TIP: To ace the glossy eye look, start by looking at the colour of your lids. If you've got a natural colour to your eyelids, apply a clear eye gloss straight onto your eye. If you haven't, layer it over a taupe eyeshadow for a bit more depth. Never apply eye gloss along the lash line (unless you want sticky lashes).
For a breathable, budge-proof formula that improves your skin's texture over time, try the new bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
