On my radar
Freelance makeup artist and hairstylist, Alexandra Stanworth, shares her tips, tricks and what’s on her beauty radar this winter
Eyes
We’re all busy, so anything quick and easy to use is what I gravitate towards. I love a colour you can wash across the eye for a soft, effortless look and you can also add more depth for the evening. To achieve this, I’m currently obsessed with the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon sticks and Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise cream eyeshadows.
Brows
I love a fluffy, brushed-up brow. It lifts the eye and creates a great shape for your eyeshadow. I have found that using a pencil to create the shape and then a brow gel to add texture gives the best results. Kosas Defining Pop Brow Pencil and Kosas Air Brow Gel are my go-to’s. I also adore Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze to ensure the hairs stay in place all day. This product is a game-changer!
Skin
Emma Lewisham Illuminating Day Crème is an excellent hydrating base under makeup. It gives a beautifully luminous look to the skin and acts like a primer to hold makeup all day. I tend to use hydrating concealers and buff lightly across the skin, as I find it gives the coverage I need and is long-wearing. My go-to is Hourglass Vanish Concealer and I always recommend getting two concealer shades and using one shade lighter for under the eye and highlighting points.
Lips
I love a soft, diffused lip using fingers to press the colour in with an added gloss or lip oil over the top. Hourglass No.28 Lip Treatment is heavenly paired with Rose Inc’s amazing Blush Divine Lip and Cheek. A trick is to add a little of the colour on your lips to your cheeks.
5 minutes with Alexandra Stanworth
What do you love most about working in your industry?
I love that every day feels like the first. Working with different people and creative teams keeps me excited and inspired.
Biggest pinch-me moment of your career?
Getting to do the cover hair and makeup for my favourite magazine. It was right after the first NZ lockdown and it was exactly the inspiration I needed after a tough time for hair and makeup artists.
How would you describe your signature look?
I’m all about luminous skin with soft, blurred neutral colours across the face and lots of soft lashes.
Dreamiest client you’ve worked on?
All of them! I wouldn’t be where I am without my clients. They keep me inspired, creative and busy! I’m so grateful to each and every one of them.
Dreamiest future client?
I’m manifesting Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Hailey Bieber. The dreamiest of style and beauty looks.
A makeup trick that will never get old is…
Using your bronzer as an eyeshadow. I do it on almost every client and model. It gives the eye shape and creates a seamless colour tone across the face.
Name a beauty product you can’t wait to ‘add to cart’?
Anything by Rose Inc. It’s my current beauty obsession! I’m adding the entire range of cream lip and cheek colours to my kit for sure.
Describe your dream day
I’d begin my dream day with a morning walk along our local beach with my husband and dog to get coffee. I’m a Virgo, so I’m super-organised and love setting aside an hour or so before the day starts to sort my makeup and hair kit for upcoming clients or shoots, and keep my emails and Instagram up to date. This may seem crazy to some, but it brings me happiness. I do love some retail therapy, so a fun late morning shop with a friend followed by a beautiful lunch somewhere like Amano or Onslow (my two Auckland favourites). After lunch, a relaxing afternoon of beauty appointments (facial and nails) and ending the day with a nice dinner with my husband, where I can dress up and enjoy an espresso martini. That would have to be my dream day or laying on an island in the sun doing absolutely nothing!