Throw Shade

Katie Jane Hughes, a British makeup artist with faces like Kerry Washington and Naomi Campbell on her portfolio, is a breath of fresh air in a saturated digital age with bloggers promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Katie, on the other hand, serves skin realness with her minimalistic ethos and finds comfort in the most unlikely combination of colours. Who would have thought, orange and blue would go together reinstating yet again that makeup is in fact for everyone. From a manicurist to one of the most sought after artists in the beauty industry, she tells us how she got here and the trends to adopt and abandon.

How did you end up becoming a makeup artist?

I have always been interested in makeup from a young age. My mom instilled this love for beauty in me when she used to do her makeup before she would go on stage as a singer, with her big black lashes and bright red lips. I was pretty much hooked on beauty from that point.

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Are you a trained artist?

I have learnt from makeup artists I have assisted over the years, and it has been like going to a school, without a fee of course. I feel it is the best way as I have learnt so much more on the job than I would have in a classroom.

What inspires you?

I would say colours. I love to mix and match colours, for example orange and blue or pink and red. It’s the unexpectedness of two different hue coming together is what I love.

What has been a turning point for you?

Instagram has really impacted how I view makeup now. As a teenager, everyone was into heavy makeup. Things have not changed much, especially when we see it on social media. All this makes me crave more for a fresh look.

Who is your makeup muse?

Celine Bernaerts, a makeup artist and influencer from Amsterdam. Her face is a dream and I just love watching her create looks.

One person you would love to work with.

Carmen Dell'Orefice... she is everything I want to be when I mature.

You always promote #poresrule and #happyskin.

Heavy makeup with matte textures can end up making people looking older than their age. I want to rebel against it. Thanks to Instagram filters, everyone has started to believe that pores do not exist. This sets unexpected ideas of perfection. With my tips (and the hashtags), I want people to know that real means beautiful. I want everyone to embrace their skin tone and texture. So, for fall, I recommend fresh looking skin but with smoky accents and rosy lips.

What beauty trend you think should retire?

Baking.

What are your must-have products of the moment?

Nars Power matte lip paint and Mac Mascara Upward lash are absolute vanity kit essentials.

What do you think is the future of the beauty industry?

Who knows? I feel like this industry is always evolving and changing, and people are becoming more expressive when it comes to makeup.