What are the key trends for this season?
This season make-up is bold, with strong colours going on eyes, lips and nails. Jewel tones and metallics are everywhere at the moment with big smokey eyes being updated in new colours and finishes. I am besotted with Tom Ford’s new make-up range, I love the more polished ‘done’ look with the huge smokey eyes in jewel tones paired with a bold lip, contoured cheeks and neat brows and hair. For so long we’ve been told to do either our eyes or our lips, and I love seeing some bolder looks being made more accesible. Of course, this is London where the grungy look is done so well so I think there’s a real potential to mess it up and be edgy with it too. Eyeliner is having a massive moment too, 60s flicks and contours are being played around with and are becoming a lot more radical and graphic than before. Bright lips and big brows are still big news too.
Any secret tips, favourite make up brands which you love?
The thing I probably get asked most by people is which foundations are the best. Before I recommend a foundation to anyone, I always recommend them to invest in a Clarisonic first. So many people try to improve their skin with make-up but it really is worth getting your skin into the best possible condition first and then enhancing it with a good foundation. The Clarisonic is a sonic skin cleansing brush that will literally transform anyones skin, I’m obsessed with mine! It’s a bit of an investment, but costs about the same as a good facial, and you will see your skin start to glow, soften, pores refine and fine lines fade almost immediately. You can use it with any cleanser, but I prefer oil based cleansers (my favourites are Eve Lom’s original cleanser for a deep cleanse and make-up removal in the evening, and Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil for a light cleanse in the morning) as they don’t strip dry skin and they help to balance oilier skin types, so they’re perfect on everyone. I’ve started using the Clarisonic on models at shoots to give an instant glow and help the make-up go on perfectly, you need far less foundation after using it too. After cleansing and moisturising, my favourite bases are by Chantecaille, Chanel and By Terry and it’s always good to use a primer (Laura Mercier’s are great) and a light dusting of powder (Shu Uemura’s is my favourite) down the T-Zone to help it stay on all day. If you like a dewy finish, try using Laura Mercier’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser on your cheekbones, temples, down the nose and a dab on your chin as a highlighter- it gives the best natural glow.
A new favourite make-up brand of mine is By Terry. It’s still a little bit under the radar, but their products are really incredible- their red lipsticks are the best I have ever tried. The texture is very creamy and hydrating, but the colour is rich and incredibly long lasting which can be hard to find. My favourites are 202 which is a great blue-red which reminds me of MAC’s Ruby Woo and 203 which is the perfect blood red- every time I wear it I get asked where it’s from by women saying they’ve been searching for the exact shade.
What are your influences?
As a make-up artist there are an abundance of things to be influenced by- designers and clothes, art, other make-up artists, models, celebrities, street style, colours, textures… I always keep an eye on new products and technologies in the beauty world because things are changing constantly and it’s important to keep your skills and knowledge fresh and up to date. I also pay attention to both high fashion make-up trends and trends on the street as Londoners have amazing style. It’s great to come together with a whole team before a shoot and hear everyone’s ideas and come up with something new, my mind is always open.
Where do you like to hang out in London – restaurants? bars etc?
I’ve lived in Shepherd’s Bush for two years now and my favourite pub is The Defectors Weld on the Uxbridge Road. It’s dark and cosy but it also often has djs on the weekends and ‘Roasts and Records’ on a Sunday is a highlight. For nightlife I’m a bit useless and just go where my friends are going, usually around East, Brixton or Soho. My favourite place to go for brunch afterwards though is The Breakfast Club, it is breakfast heaven!
About me- Working in London as a make-up artist specialising in fashion- I work on photo shoots, fashion shows, music videos, events, advertorials and done work for ELLE, NYLON, Platform Magazine, The Cut, The Times Magazine, OFFICE Magazine, AIE Magazine, The Village Bicycle, Daisy Knights Jewellery Design, The Ministry of Sound, Tallulah Harlech, Mary Charteris, Swedish House Mafia…. My most recent project is a short fashion film starring Tallulah Harlech called ‘Dame Judy’. Pick and choose what you think is most interesting!
What sort of photos would you like me to send?
Also- I’m having some issues with my website atm- but if you just link it to www.aliwicksteed.com anyway so when it is up and running my details are there and my email is contact@aliwicksteed.com
Let me know if this is ok and or if there is anything else you need. I wrote quite a lot, so do feel free to edit it down if you need it shorter.
Many thanks and hope you are well!
Ali x
Ali Wicksteed
Make-up Artist & Hair
07833 085 104
contact@aliwicksteed.com