Caroline Barnes is a top celebrity make-up artist who is loved and respected for her talent, authenticity and approachability. Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Caroline's impressive client list includes Emma Watson, Cheryl Cole and Kylie Minogue, to name just a few. Caroline talks to Willowberry natural skincare about skincare as the basis for flawless make-up, beauty tips for older skin and a 5 minute beauty routine.
Good skincare is the basis for good make-up – discuss!
Nowadays if possible, we all want to have great-looking skin that isn’t covered in make-up and the key to this is obviously great skin condition. Most of us aren’t blessed with perfect complexions and we depend heavily on the hydration of good skincare to make the make-up look fresh.
I’m surprised how most women just go straight in with their foundation without feeling the texture of their skin first. Even the glossiest of foundations can appear more obvious if your skin isn’t hydrated enough. I’m trying to teach women to apply make-up mindfully and feel their skin to see if they need to prep it better before make-up. Great skin allows your make-up to last longer and look more flawless.
What skin issues do you see most on your clients and how do you combat them?
Well I work with a variety of women, so all skin types really. Spots need special care and attention and the right formulations. Pigmented skin needs opaque concealers and a small brush to avoid product build-up. Older skin needs a lighter touch and dry skin needs a multi-layering process.
I love your Speed Beauty YouTube channel – what are your most popular videos?
Oh thank you… strangely it's how I style my hair, which came as a big surprise! Next is a skin care one, not so surprising. Truth is I never know which ones are going to be a hit. I try and keep them varied, coming 7 years too late to YouTube I’m aware of repetitive content, so I try to keep the majority tip-based, but people still love the whole face make-up ones, too.
Willowberry is passionate about celebrating beauty at all ages, rather than being ‘anti-ageing’. What are your top beauty tips for older women?
Well I’m very much the same. I’m 45 and work in a very young industry, but I'm really delighted to be living and working in these refreshing new times where what is considered to be beautiful is getting broader ethnically and culturally. I’m excited to see new campaigns with men and women of different ages being celebrated. The more we see all ages looking fabulous the more we accept and celebrate being healthy and alive!
My tips for older women are always to re-focus on your facial structure. Perfect your skin lightly and only where needed. Inject warmth and colour into your complexion but most of all, learn how to shape your brows to frame your eyes and bring out your lashes. If you can nail this then the rest is playful additions.
I know you love our Willowberry Nutrient Boost Treatment Oil – what makes it special to you and how do you use it?
I love facial oils, and I like to use them with make-up. Of course they can be used at night or to perk up dry winter skin before moisturiser, but dabbed on the cheekbones pre-makeup application or after make-up makes a complexion look radiant and refreshed. The oil needs to absorb into the skin without leaving an oily residue. Willowberry face oil has a lovely consistency and makes the skin look radiant.
If a woman has 5 minutes to do her face, what routine should she follow?
- Ensure skin is well hydrated with two applications of moisturiser and maybe a dab of face oil across the cheekbones.
- Use a light foundation first then touch up imperfections with an opaque concealer.
- Powder the T-zone only.
- Apply cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and sweep up and over your cheekbones.
- Frame brows and lashes and use a cream eyeshadow to frame your eyes.
- Use the same colour you used on your cheeks to add a touch of colour to your lips to lift your complexion.
How do you look after your health and wellbeing?
I go to Bikram yoga when I can - it's amazing. I‘m not great at it but it’s so good and helps me to slow down. I have also started taking Lumity supplements, which are fantastic, and have helped me sleep better. Most importantly I try and laugh loads. My jokes aren’t that funny but I do try and see the funny side of life - you have too, right?
You can find Caroline Barnes on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her Speed Beauty YouTube channel.
Willowberry natural skincare is loaded with nutrients to nurture skin's wellbeing, with a transparent, understandable list of ingredients to help customers feel informed and confident about what they put on their skin. Willowberry empowers women by celebrating beauty of all ages and all faces, to help people feel good in their own skin.
The Willowberry Wellbeing blog aims to inspire you to live a healthy, balanced and happy life for enhanced wellbeing.