Getting your makeup right for a romantic date is vital for your self-confidence, so we talk to CHANEL Makeup Artist Zoe Taylor about her career and get her advice on what products to use for the perfect date look

What is beauty to you?

Beauty is texture and light and the eternal play off of each other. The imperfection is the perfection.

How long have you been a makeup artist and how did you get your start in the industry?

I trained to be a makeup artist 19 years ago at Glauca Rossi. Originally my plan was to be an artist but after Art School, I realised to my delight, I could paint on faces rather than canvases and went onto beauty school, then finally to Glauca’s, which I absolutely loved. 

What have been your career highlight? 

The first time I travelled to Brazil to do Rihanna’s makeup for Vogue. It was the most incredible trip, which was only made all the more amazing when I returned home to discover I was pregnant with my first little girl. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get all my inspiration from my very vivid dreams and from the colours and light found in nature. The sea is probably my biggest love, I could never tire of watching it breathe in and out.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career? 

I could never describe any part of my career as being challenging, as every day I am pushing boundaries of my own to create something which I love. Some people may call this challenging; I call it inspiring. 

What do you love most about makeup?

I love the freedom and creativity makeup represents, I love that there are no rules, and anything goes. I love that makeup is now a hobby and a form of relaxation for so many people. The application of makeup holds the same rituals which have been honoured by men and women since the beginning of time. 

What three makeup items should no woman leave home without?

A really very good foundation which is sheer but buildable and doubles up as a concealer if you want to use it only where you need it, CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is gorgeous and very longwearing.

Some vegan lip care: lips are such an overlooked part of skin care, my Tinker Taylor Lip Kit which includes lip scrub, which buffs off dry skin and the natural scrubbing motion helps to make lips appear more plump, Lip Oil for hydration and Lip Balm to nourish are always in my bag. 

The perfect mascara for length and volume CHANEL Le Volume Stretch is out of this world as it makes lashes actually look like you are wearing falsies.

How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

I am always all about the skin, it needs to look at its very best before any other makeup can be applied to make it look incredible.

What is the most important beauty advice that you can give to men and women?

Make sure you get a great facial massage during your morning and evening routine, honestly it is amazing what you can achieve yourself without having to have any injectables. Follow Nichola Joss for some great techniques. 

What famous artists have influenced you, and how?

Jason Monet and his early crude line work definitely influenced my own drawings and in turn my use of colour. I simply love the motion of Jessica Oliver’s works, the way the light falls across her canvases is so incredibly special and can be translated into any medium. 

What look would you create/what products would you use for the perfect date night?

I would start with clean skin and massage in some oil, I love Neal’s Yard Orange Flower Facial oil, it smells so gorgeous and glides beautifully onto the skin, followed by a light moisturiser. By mixing CHANEL Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops into your foundation, you will achieve the ultimate glowing perfect skin. I always do this to brighten up complexion. I follow with a little bronzer around the cheekbones and the temples, to give a whisper of colour for a healthy glow.

I love a red lip, but for date night I would definitely go for emphasising your eyes. CHANEL Stylo Ombre et Contour in Electric Brown is very long wearing, so I would apply this over the upper and lower lash line and blend with a small fluffy brush, to smoke it out a little. To set and deepen this colour I would apply Surratt Eye Shadow in Brunatre over the lid into the socket.

Then, of course, lots of mascara. I mentioned earlier CHANEL Le Volume Stretch, it is the best and something I truly couldn’t live without. Lips would be perfectly prepped with Tinker Taylor Lip Kit, and just topped up with balm throughout the night. Final touch would be CHANEL Baume Essentiel in Transparent along cheekbones and the inner corners of the eye, this wonderous product brings makeup to life.  

You can follow Zoe Taylor on Instagram @zoetaylormakeup

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