The Makeup Mole

Makeup by Kay Montano - Photos by Carter Smith

Skin Prep – Ren toner, Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser

Base – Chanel Teint Innocence in 20 Clair

Powder – Chanel Poudre Universelle Loose Powder in 20 Clair

Blush – Chanel Joues Contrast blush in Imprevu

Eyes

• Chanel Eyeliner in Brun Cuivre
• Chanel Kaska Beige eyeshadow quartet
• Chanel single eyeshadow in Sand
• Chanel Ecriture de Chanel black liquid liner on top lid only
• Chanel Inimitable Obscure mascara in Black

Lips

• Nude Skincare Lip Balm
• Chanel Lipliner in Natural
• Chanel Coco Rouge in Beige Felin

Makeup by Kay Montano

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere foundation in Clair 20

Concealer – Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3

Powder – Jurlique Lavender translucent loose powder brushed through T-zone

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Truffle

Eyes

• Chanel Teak pencil smudged on upper lashlines
• Bobbi Brown Black Ink gel eyeliner
• Max Factor Lash Extension Effect mascara

Lips

• Chanel Rouge Coco in Ballet Russe as a stain
• Bobbi Brown Hot Pink gloss

The new Chanel Rouge Coco lipsticks are gorgeous. They are Peter Philips’ first collection of Chanel lipsticks for the house since he was appointed Global Creative Director in 2008. The lip color is hydrating and extremely creamy, so it’s easy to apply – even to winter chapped lips, and after having a lovely play with them at the launch I have discovered which colors are my favourite. My picks are Paris for a bright red, Lune Rousse for a reddish stain, and Beige Felin for a nude.

The launch yesterday was a grand success with a Nigella Lawson three course lunch at the Chanel store in Brompton Cross, and a phenomenal turn out from London’s most glamorous women (to be expected really, at a Chanel launch!) Yasmin Le Bon was looking as gorgeous as ever, as were fellow supermodels Jade Parfitt (who is as nice as she is beautiful), Erin O’Connor and Jasmine Guinness who can wear red lipstick better than anyone.

There was a photo booth to take happy snaps in (which brought back memories from my childhood, although of a rather less glamorous location – Sydney train stations!) and since it came with the most flattering lighting on the planet AND a wind machine and an endless supply of Chanel accessories to try on, you can imagine it was pretty popular.

The Rouge Coco lipsticks will be on counter March 5^th, and there are 30 delicious shades to choose from.

Makeup by Kay Montano

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in 30

Chanel Bronze Universal used around the edges of the face, subtly across the nose and chin in the same way the sun warms the skin

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink

Powder – Jurlique powder on T-zone

Eyes – Chanel eye liner in Teak on lash line around eyes and blended with a brush

- MyFace Blingtone single eyeshadow in Black Ice on lid

- Bobbi Brown Black gel eyeliner

Mascara – Chanel Black Exceptionnel mascara

Eyelure individual false lashes on outer corners

Lips – Bobbi Brown Blush lip liner, with MAC Lip Erase in Pale and Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Ming 76.

This is a big call. I mean, how do you choose the best of something that is so specific, and so personal? After all, it is supposed to replicate the skin you’re in. And whilst this is my Number 1, (and 2, and 3) foundation in my kit because of how it meets the demands of my work, it may not be right for you.

But I do want to tell you why I love it so. For a start, it’s nice and dewy, just like gorgeous healthy skin should be. It blends like a dream and doesn’t get dry or cakey. I use this on everyone – models on shoots, real people, for the red carpet, for the shows, straight beauty, advertising – I can hardly think of a job I DON’T use it on. You can sheer it out or beef up the coverage, go all over or just where needed, use it with a brush or a sponge or your fingers. Sigh. Can you tell I’m still enamoured after all these years?

Oh sure I’ve toyed with many other foundations – in fact I have a drawer full at home! Even other Chanel foundations don’t rock my socks off like Vitalumiere. I flirted with Teint Innocence and had a brief decamp to Pro Lumiere (too heavy for winter, doable for those who like a more matte finish), but always, always I go back to my trusty VL (I’m Australian so we abbreviate everything, even things that shouldn’t be abbreviated, like Chanel products). Anyways…

It does have its drawbacks however – if you have very oily skin it might be too glowy for you. For me it doesn’t matter because I’m always there to top up with powder to keep the shine at the right level, but equally if you live in a hot or sunny climate (Australia and the American South, I’m talking to YOU!) it’s probably going to move around too much and be a bit heavy. In which case can I recommend something lighter like MAC Face and Body, or Chantecaille’s Oil Free Future Skin?

Chanel Vitalumiere only comes in 7 shades in Europe, so it’s great for lighter skintones, not so ace for black or mixed race people – this is the only downside of this foundation for me. So I keep Bobbi Brown and Becca foundations also in my kit to cover all the bases – so to speak!

Vitalumiere gives your skin the glow it wishes it had, and every makeup artist I know has this in their kit. For me as a makeup artist, it’s the Best. Foundation. Ever.

This time of year one’s mind starts turning to all things cosy and wintry, so it’s time for a snuggle-fest on the Mole Patrol. Crack out that duvet, whip up some hot chocolate and slather yourself in serious moisturizer for that dry and winter parched skin – it’s a cold weather delight!

Embryolisse moisturizer

This is a must for winter skin. It’s heavy and glues back all those lovely dry

crack-y bits you get when your nose turns red. I always put it back in my kit at this time of year as more and more models start turning up with their faces falling off due to too much heating inside, the cold outside, and seeing as they’re so gorgeous and can get away with it, often a diet of caffeine and cigarettes. Embryolisse to the rescue. Word on the makeup streets is that what you buy in Parisian pharmacies is better than their export stuff (which you can get in London at the makeup shop PAM in Shepherd’s Bush).

Illamasqua Cake Liner in Mislead with Sealing Gel

Because this sucker don’t move. I’d read all the raves on the internet but only recently have I tried it, and it is amazing. So when the wind is blowing and you’re swaddled in scarves and beanies, at least your eyes will still look like Audrey Hepburn’s (even if the rest of you looks like Freddie Krueger).

Bobbi Brown Eye Palette in Velvet Plum

Fab neutrals that would suit any eye color, and an amazing dense black brown eyeshadow which is a surprisingly difficult color to find in other ranges. Combined with the Illamasqua Cake liner it is a wintry winner.

Chanel Particuliere Nail Polish

Straight from the Paris shows (where she created 50 shades of nude nails for Louis Vuitton) Sophy Robson’s top nail color for the coming season is Chanel Particuliere. Sure to be as coveted as last season’s Jade and the original got-to-have-it nail color, Rouge Noir, I fell in love from the second I saw it. It’s a weird taupe-y mauve color that’s like dead people’s hands, but better. The fashion pack are going to love it! I think the new Chanel shade is chic, effortless and original – just like Chanel really.

Benetint by Benefit

Aaah, a hardy perennial – just rescued from the makeup Vault where it has been languishing for quite a while, this is the perfect outdoor flush for when it gets cold. I do love a wind burned cheek (well a fake one, not a real one!) this time of year, and this bestselling 30 year old tinted liquid made from rose petals is still the original, and still the best.

Makeup by Kay Montano

Recently Kay did Cheryl Cole’s makeup for the cover of ELLE magazine, and the look was cool and fashion forward whilst bringing out Cheryl’s natural beauty. Watch the behind-the-scenes video as well to see what went on the day of the shoot, and see Kay talk about the makeup

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in Shell 30

Powder – Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in Clair 20

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Truffle

Eyes – Chanel Bleu Celestes quad (the very dark navy in this quad) in a soft ‘halo’ shape around the eye

Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in Smoky Noir

Lips – NARS Belle de Jour lipstick

Kay Montano was in Madrid last weekend helping Rachel Weisz promote her new movie, Agora, and this is what she used for the premiere.

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in Clair 20.

Concealer – Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge Pink Truffle applied with a sponge on ‘apple’ of cheek.

Powder – Jurlique powder in Rose brushed on ‘T’ zone.

Eyes – Julie Hewitt Los Angeles cream eye shadow in Rue Burgundy on top lids to create density followed by Chanel eye shadow in Amethyst which was used to blend colour softly around entire eye.

- Ecriture De Chanel in Black used to line along the root of top lashes, ticking outward slightly.

Mascara – Exceptionnel De Chanel in Smoky Noir on top & lower lashes.

Lips – Bobbi Brown lip liner in Blush with Nude Lip Balm mixed with a tiny amount of Chanel Rouge Allure in Maniac (part of the autumn/winter Les Noirs Obscurs collection).