In the Know
Blair Gamblin shares her favourite looks, tips and must-have products for the summer season
Photography: Luke Foley-Martin
Blair Gamblin is a professional makeup artist, national manager of Education & Artistry for M.A.C Cosmetics and Bobbi Brown. Here she shares her favourite looks, tips and must-have products for the summer season.
Eyes
Eye makeup doesn’t need to be complicated to look good. Cream shadow sticks are what you are missing out on if you haven’t already got them in your makeup bag! You can apply them directly onto the eyelid and then blend out with your fingers for a super effortless, everyday wear or add a bit of sparkle to any look. You can create crisp graphic lines and cat-eyes with the tip. Cream shadow sticks are also great priming bases for other eyeshadows. The versatility and ease make these a great option for everyone. Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Amber, Cinnamon and Taupe are my go-to shades to take you from day to night.
Brows
I’m all about a natural approach to eyebrows. Thankfully the trend has moved away from drawn on brows towards a more feminine look. Soft and tailored or natural and imperfectly perfect. A good brow technician and Bobbi Brown Natural brow shaper is all you need! I love this product as it grooms brows to look like they have real texture and shine versus that over-the-top fake laminated look. Combing up your brow hair in an upward motion is almost like giving yourself a facelift and is the best way to achieve volume.
Photography: Veronica Sola
Skin
Skin minimalism is always the foundation philosophy as we head into the warmer months. It’s all about achieving good-looking skin without heavy layers of foundation. Well prepped skin gives you that lit-from-within glow all before you have applied coverage and, in turn, helps you use less product. Serums filled with hyaluronic acid and radiance-boosting creams can be massaged into the skin for that hydrated glow. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Moisture Balm is part skincare, part highlighter. Depending on your skin type, it can be applied all over the face or placed only on high points for an instant glow with pearl particles. MAC Face & Body foundation provides a veil of buildable coverage and glides on with a second skin feel. No matter what you use on your skin, a must this season is to finish your look with a radiant pop of colour on the cheeks. Blush flew under the radar for years, but we are seeing it take centre stage, and a little is never enough!
Lips
Gloss is back in a big way! Not surprising as the well-loved ‘90s and early 00s makeup trends have made a resurgence this year. Gloss formulations have been completely reimaged too, moving away from that sticky, tacky feeling to skincare-infused lip gloss/lip balm hybrids. You will never not see me with Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil Infused Gloss, which is a tinted colour-infused gloss with nutrient-rich botanical oils and hyaluronic acid. It even replenishes moisture after it's removed. It is in my handbag, car, work and home office! I use the nude shade in Sweet Talk on my lips every day, either by itself or partnered with MAC Stripdown pencil as a nod to the ‘90s lip. I love to swipe New Romantic Crushed Oil Infused Gloss onto my cheeks for a dewy tinted blush.
5 minutes with Blair Gamblin
How did your journey into makeup artistry begin?
Makeup artistry certainly wasn’t always my plan! I went to university and completed a psychology degree, which I thought would guide me into a career. I grew up dancing from the age of six, so have always been drawn to creative expression, and after feeling burnt out from university, my mum encouraged me to take a break. I enrolled in a part-time course at The Makeup School and was fortunate to be hired by MAC Cosmetics straight away. The rest is history!
Most memorable career highlight?
I have had so many pinch-me moments in my 10-year career. Directing the Paris Georgia NZ Fashion Week show was an incredible project to be a part of. Travelling to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Thailand on behalf of Bobbi Brown are unforgettable moments, and most recently, having one of my brides featured in Australian Vogue.
Who inspires you creatively?
There is so much inspiration online nowadays, so I make sure my feed is full of aspirational work from my favourite creatives such as; Nikki Makeup, Nettart, and Katie Jane Hughes. Although, nothing beats flicking through the pages of an international fashion magazine!
What’s your favourite look to create?
Skin is always my favourite feature to do no matter who is in my chair. I love to create glowing, multi-dimensional skin by layering a blend of skincare and cream products. Add a pop of monochromatic colour in a mixture of textures to complete the look!
Top tip for budding makeup artists?
There seems to be a trend in the last few years where we see artists go straight from studying to freelance. I learnt most of what I know from working as an artist in retail. I learnt how to balance all skin types, work with a spectrum of skin tones, and how to communicate and talk to a variety of people. Customer service is a major aspect of makeup services, and the counter is the best place to get the most exposure and experience.
What’s always in your carry-on luggage?
La Mer Hand Cream, 15ml Jo Malone London fragrance in Wood Sage & Sea Salt, MAC Fix+ spray and Bobbi Brown Extra Lip tint.
Favourite summer fragrance?
Rose & Magnolia by Jo Malone London. It’s a sensual floral with a decadent heart of sweet Rose de Mai, warmed by the spicy Rose Damascena.
Dream collaboration?
I was fortunate enough to host a virtual masterclass with Bobbi Brown Artist in Residence Nikki De Roest and am utterly obsessed with her! She is known for her effortless LA glow and long list of celebrity clients such as Rosie Huntington Whitely and Hailey Bieber.