Alexandra Stanworth has been a qualified make-up artist for over ten years with regular clients including Superette’s founder Rickie Dee and TV host Cassidy Morris. She takes us through why she loves her profession, her most requested ‘look’ and her top must-have products that every woman needs.

What was your first memory with make-up?

My first memory with make-up is as a very young child watching my mother and Nana get ready for the day, or to go out at night. I can still remember the smell of fragrance in the products they used.

How did you get into the make-up profession and how long have you been a make-up artist for?

I’ve been a qualified artist for 10 years. University didn’t seem like the right choice for me when I left high school so my parents encouraged me to do some short, part time courses to keep up my creativity and education. The first course I did was a part time make-up course at The Makeup School in Ponsonby. After one class I was hooked and went onto doing my full time diploma of Professional Make Up Artistry.

What’s been your biggest beauty disaster?

I went through a phase years ago of very bold, strongly drawn pencilled eyebrows…never again. A softer, brushed up look is much more my style now and better suited to my face.

How would you describe your own make-up style?

I love a more natural look using cream products that you can really blend seamlessly into the face with peach and bronze tones. I love a dewy complexion, blush is my personal hero product. It adds so much warmth and shape to the face.

What is your top beauty tip or trick?

Add your bronzer (cream or powder) softly into the socket of your eyes, this creates cohesive colour across the face, it’s very flattering.

What is the most requested look or style you get asked to recreate?

Because of my make-up style I feature mainly on my social media, a natural bronzed look would be my most requested. Depending on the event my clients are attending this can be more pulled back or exaggerated. Hydrated skin, soft blurred complexion and gold, bronze and peach tones is my favourite look.

Which key looks/trends do you predict in make-up for the rest of the year?

I think winged eyeliner is having a real moment again and I love that it doesn’t have to be a solid black liquid line. You can use other products like a soft brown pencil or eyeshadow to create the shape that’s best suited to your eye shape.

What is the number one beauty product every individual should own?

That’s tough to just say one! But I would say a cream bronzer, don’t be scared of cream! It looks so natural on the skin and you can create so much shape and sun kissed tones across the face. I always use it as an eyeshadow across my eyes too. Another product I can’t live without, and every woman needs is a great concealer with brightening for under eyes—dream product for those tired days! I can’t go past YSL Touche Éclat Highlighter pens.

Who are your role models in the make-up industry?

There’s so many incredible artists who I love to follow for inspiration. Instagram is such an amazing platform for this, you can see behind the scenes, product development and artistry. My favourite industry professionals for inspiration would be Pat McGrath, Mario Dedivanovic, and Rosie Huntington Whiteley (her website Rose Inc is amazing for easy tutorials featuring a variety of industry pro’s).

Good skin care is key to any make-up base. What do you use on your face right now?

Because I love a dewy complexion I use a face serum and hydrating moisturiser for lots of hydration that’s got longevity. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum is great for me as I have super sensitive dry skin and this doesn’t irritate—and feels like a glass of water for the face. I have two moisturisers I like to use, the first is Embryolisse Lait Crème Riche Corps as it is one of the best moisturisers for under make-up. If my skin is feeling extra dry I will use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I’ve used and trusted it for years as it doesn’t cause any issues with my skin and is a great base for under make-up as well.