All That Glitters

Gone are the days of patchy and cakey makeup looks. “Less is more…” has been the beauty mantra for quite some time. Makeup mavericks across the globe are reiterating the importance of natural glowing skin. Do we say the shift is towards embracing the real you? Brands are coming forth with a more inclusive bent of mind to offer diverse colour options. To delve deep, we speak to Andrea Louca, international makeup artist of Kryolan to understand the rage of expanded colour range of cosmetics, trends to vouch for, and more. Edited excerpts…

How did you get interested in makeup?

As a young girl, I used to watch my mother do her. She taught me how to apply lipstick. I loved adding a little lipstick on my cheeks too for a beautiful flushed look. Grandma showed me how to make creams and makeup out of natural ingredients such as plants and fruits. I guess you could say makeup has always been a big part of my life. From a child in love with makeup to now being an international artist; it’s in my blood.

L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now

Are you a trained makeup artist?

Yes, I am trained in advance Media Makeup course from the London School of Beauty & Makeup.

Where do you seek creative inspiration from? Who are your muses?

I get my inspiration from all aspects of the world. Whenever I travel I’m always looking at art, flowers and most of all clothing to create my artistic flares. I observe other artists too such as Val Garland, Charlotte tilbury, Pat McGrath and most of all Paul Merchant, Head Makeup Artist for Kryolan.

How did Kryolan happen for you? What makes the brand different from the rest?

I’ve always loved the brand. While getting trained, I used to visit the store in London to check out the latest looks. One thing led to another and I became a part of the team.

Kryolan listens to what the industry wants and needs. The products and ingredients are at its highest quality. What also makes us different from other brands is their colour range. They have every shade, tint and tone you could possibly ask for as a makeup artist. We have developed and tested on all different skin types and tones to make sure that as a global brand we cover all. Ranging from the lightest coverage to full coverage, we have the perfect match for all.

How has the beauty industry changed globally in the last five years?

2019 has been quite a year for beauty and cosmetics. Between an influx of ridiculously smart beauty tools and an increased focus on sustainability and all-inclusive cosmetics, it’s been a transformative year for the beauty industry at large. This year beauty brands found more innovative ways to reduce packaging and place more focus on cruelty-free, sustainable cosmetics without sacrificing quality.

Inclusivity is the flavour of the season. How do you think it has changed the course of makeup industry?

There was a time when finding a foundation meant taking your pick from a handful of shades like "porcelain," "beige," "tan," or "mocha." Six to eight color options were the norm, a dozen was impressive. That's most definitely no longer the case. The movement toward shade inclusivity and truly diverse colour options has exploded, especially within the past year. Gone are those single-digit shade ranges, replaced with 30, 40, even 50 hues for you to choose from.

Social media plays a pivotal role in the beauty industry. Do you think it has made people discerning in their choices? How has it impacted beauty trends globally?

The ability to reach millions through viral memes, tutorial videos, Instagram and Pinterest posts contribute to the success of cosmetic brands. There is no doubt that it will continue to shake up the highly lucrative and competitive industry.

What are the makeup products you cannot do without?

I swear by good and heavy mascara, a nude shade gloss and a dash of cheek tint.

Dramatic eyelashes are the boldest makeup trend. What are your favourite trends in eyelashes?

Fluffy volume lashes are my favourite, but it’s not a look for every day. I like the natural wispy lashes for a day to day look.

What are the most common mistakes of makeup application?

Applying too much product is the biggest makeup mistake. Less is more, I always say, the key is to enhance your natural beauty rather than hiding yourself under a heavy mask. Preparing and priming the skin is also equally important as with great skin comes great makeup.

What are the trends in makeup that you are betting big on?

I am all about skin. Soft contour and bronzed glowing skin as it’s one of my favourite looks sport with maybe, a beautiful bold colour on the lips. It is minimalistic yet glamorous at the same time. Deep colours such as plums and burgundy maybe some burnt orange shades for this winter as they are my favourites during this season or to add some glamour maybe some shimmer and sparkle too.